SignalTraffic Forums

by **Variflex** on Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:47 am

Hi All,

Just a quick intro to say hi and share a little of how i came to be here,

I have been keen to put a set of traffic lights and other industrial relics into my garden for some time now and have finally put my money where my mouth is and took the plunge

After a good 12 months of browsing traffic signals on ebay I finally came across a great deal or what i hope to be a great deal as i am yet to pick up the traffic lights,

My intent is to convert the signal set to run off 12 volts using an AGM battery and a Solar panel to keep it all charged, yep, Solar is another hobby of mine
I am still undecided weather or not to go this way or just to run it off mains power given there is a GPO only 1 meter from where the signals will be mounted

So Given my two references to the metric system I had better advise you all that i am from Sydney Australia.

I stumbled accross this site when googling traffic signal restorations and figured this would be a great source of information and could also share my build up whilst i go along

Anywho I wont put too much here as i'm sure there are specific sections for the detail I have to shere and learn about
Cheers
Darren.

by **TacomaJoe** on Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:31 am

Welcome Darren, I know there is at least one other member from your continent. I have picked up a couple things, one is costs a ton of money to ship anything your way and two the controllers from here (120VAC 60hz) may not like the 50hz mains. The clock counts the power frequency to stay in step when powered.

Solar sounds like a fun project (doesn't work up here in the gray NW). I know of one outfit that makes solar powered temporary signals.

Keep us posted on you progress and I'm sure everyone always likes pictures.

by **vaughnsimon** on Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:53 am

Variflex wrote:My intent is to convert the signal set to run off 12 volts using an AGM battery and a Solar panel to keep it all charged, yep, Solar is another hobby of mine
Darren.

I'm interested in what you plan to use for 12-volt lamps. I use 12-volt CFL lamps for yard lights, and 2 strategic lights inside my house. Naturally, they are connected to my little solar system which also serves as the starting battery for my emergency generator. (I live in Florida, hurricane country). I keep looking for 12-volt LED lamps at a reasonable price, but it hasn't happened yet. I don't think that CFL's would last long in a traffic signal.

Welcome Darren!

by **jab8356** on Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:28 am

welcome...the other Australian here's name is also Darren.

by **Sargent_Sowell** on Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:50 am

Welcome, Darren! And you are correct, you will want to check out the restorations section.

by **cdavidson** on Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:08 pm

Welcome aboard! As far as 12V lamps.. if you search online or stop by a camper/RV supply store you're bound to find some 12V full size incandescent light bulbs. If you're looking to have your signals running as they would on the road, contact Lights to Go and ask if they could produce a 12V DC model of their T3 controller (or whichever one you'd like).

by **Variflex** on Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:22 am

Thanks for the tips and advise guys,
Really not sure about what I plan to use for lamps yet, will wait till i pick up the lights and have a look to see what i have to work with

Once I pick up the unit I will post some photos and get my first build up thread happening

Cheers
Darren