Upgrading to LED signs means you will need to put a maintenance plan in place. Unlike a poster or traditional sign there is a bit more thought and preparation required. Not to worry as maintenance is minimal when you know what to prioritize. Here’s a guide on Maintaining Your LED Signs.
Ordering The Right Type Of Sign
Digital signs can be ordered in customized square and rectangular sizes, anywhere from small to oversized or billboard—but size is not your only determining factor. First up, you must decide if you want a scrolling sign that can display text and basic graphics or a display capable of sharing HD photos and videos. You might need both.
Next, you must consider where your sign will be placed, inside or outside. Yes, your sign can be placed outside, but you need to ensure that you have your sign made with the weather-appropriate technology. This will vary greatly if you live in a climate that is hot and humid versus a climate that is wet, icy, or below freezing. Luckily, however, we have mitigated these external factors. Just check out this post.
Even if you live in a moderate temperature you want to ensure that your sign will remain fully functional in your most extreme temperatures. This type of protection is measured by varying levels of ingress protection (IP) ratings, which refer to the type of water resistance and solid object contact durability. For large displays, even in moderate climates, adding a cooling system is required to keep your sign from overheating.
Maintaining Your LED Signs – LED Installation
You will need to reach out to a local LED technician, electrician, or tech company who specializes in digital installations. Your sign will arrive with the hardware you require, but your LED tech will ensure that you have the appropriate power supply, surge protection, indoor/outdoor sockets, fasteners and accessories required to keep your sign secure. Fasteners and accessories will vary depending on factors such as the size, weight, and placement of your new sign. A solid foundation of rebar and concrete is required for outdoor signs and if your sign is large you will need a crane during installation.
Sign Visibility
Hiring a technician will help you to determine the appropriate brightness and contrast for your sign, which will vary depending on whether it is an indoor or outdoor sign and how well lit the sign may be. In fact, your tech can help you determine the most ideal placement to ensure that it is clear and visible all hours of the day. It’s helpful if you have a few images or videos that you can display to test.
Cleaning And Ongoing Maintenance
You can wipe the exterior of your sign with an electronics-safe solution and a microfiber cloth. Avoid the temptation to use a general cleanser as even a small amount that finds its way inside your display can do extreme damage.
Also avoid cleaning with a paper towel as it can leave behind bits of debris. Your microfiber cloth should always be damp but never sopping wet. For large or elevated signs, you can use a wrung out microfiber mop with an extension pole. Our signs come with downloadable hand booklets that you can download from our servers at anytime! Visit our Support page to learn more!
Your signs can be left on 24-hours a day but consider putting them on a timer, so they are powered down for at least a few hours each day. Or depending on your business needs, you can keep your signs on during business hours. This can help to extend the lifespan of your new sign. Finally, be sure to update your back of house software regularly.
Maintaining Your LED Signs – Content Management
The most exciting thing about digital signs is that you can switch out the content at any time, and you can post a series of messages, videos, and designed POP in one sign. However, it also means that you must create a content schedule so that you don’t have the same sign posted all the time. This will be a big shift for those switching from a stationary sign, so include your communications team and marketing team in this conversation. You also want to reach out to a designer who specializes in digital displays. So that you always know what’s on display utilize your remote sign management software and alert system for properly Maintaining Your LED Signs.
If you would like to learn more about how to care for LED signs, don’t hesitate to ask. The team at Mega LED Technology is always here to help!