Signatrol High-Voltage Neon Sign Flasher

a look inside and a test of a vintage Signatrol high-voltage neon sign mechanical flasher.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Beautiful piece of kit there! I have seen the fast and frenetic neon flashing before. I expect a primary flasher with contacts passing higher current would wear out faster than this, since there is no actual contact between the rotor and cap setup.

[@NeonPreservation]

i imagine you are correct. many sign supply shops sell replacement contacts for primary flashers, and while they are more common than secondary flashers, the contacts do seem to be a common wear item.

[@sangamowatt9435]

Thats really cool . Thanks for the video

[@NeonPreservation]

you're welcome, i'm glad you liked it!

[@envisionelectronics]

Excellent! I wonder why one seems to draw a much longer arc than the others?

[@NeonPreservation]

i noticed that too! i think it has something to do with it being the last tube in the series, thus being the shortest route for the current. when going to the next tube (farthest from the transformer) it has to overcome more electrical resistance, so the arc 'hangs on' to the easier, shorter route for a longer period of time.

[@SignalDitch]

You really couldn't ask for a more cartoon-sound-effect of a flashing neon sign

[@NeonPreservation]

haha, right?!

[@TheUnclestein]

Nice video and a really odd way of controlling the tubes! Makes me wonder how many of these are installed on the Las Vagas strip! The Tesla builders would love one of these. (I'd have my main isolator switch closer to the front of my test bench, so I don't have to reach over any potential danger!).

[@NeonPreservation]

very cool! makes me wonder in what other ways these devices could be used...

[@chargermopar]

I wish I could find the one I salvaged from a Sentry Drugs sign. They had arrows along the sign and the unit inside was different than this. The "distributor" was blue glass and sealed with some kind of gas inside. You could see the arcing but there was no sound and the housing was just painted steel. It was Acme Electric brand.

[@NeonPreservation]

wow, that sounds amazing! if you ever find it, i'd love to see pictures of it!

[@chargermopar]

@@NeonPreservation I have so much stuff stored everywhere, I am looking forward to finding it as well, always wondered how they fabricated that thing. It doesn't even have a shaft it uses external windings like a motor to rotate the internal rotor.

[@NeonPreservation]

crazy! im really intrigued by the description, sounds quite unique

[@TDownit_Strider]

Man, it certainly is unnerving to see that much arcing, even if it is an intentional part of the design.

[@NeonPreservation]

right? no wonder it generates so much ozone...

[@domingomurodiaz9232]

Incluyen control velocity moving núcleo bobin for slow move

[@TheToastPeople]

Simple but effective

[@midnightwind8067]

Ok. That was cool. Love the old analog way of doing things. Somehow, a digital controller would just not be as interesting.

[@NeonPreservation]

i totally agree, the analog mechanical flashers are really fun.

[@JonasClark]

I cannot express in words how badly I want to locate one of these. Any idea where I might look? Never seen one on eBay, just in old neon technical books.

[@NeonPreservation]

they are really neat, i love mechanical flashers! the secondary high-voltage flashers are very common but still available. the first place that comes to mind that carries them is WCCD, although it is likely other sign supply shops as well. they're about halfway down the page here: prosites-llcwccd.homestead.com/MECHANICAL-FLASHERS.html

[@JonasClark]

@@NeonPreservation Thanks! I definitely won't be able to afford one of those just to build a hobby sign, but I'm glad to know they're still made!

[@CptnCrncyRzr]

Could this be used in a spark gap tesla coil

[@NeonPreservation]

ive never built a tesla coil, but this device is designed to distribute high voltage, so if thats what is needed, then yes it could. the info plate on the front of the unit says 7500-15000volts, 30mA.

[@CptnCrncyRzr]

That is a rotary spark gap lol