old exit sign system.

[electrofelon]

Someone has an old exit sign system that has a central command module that, I assume, has batteries and maybe an inverter in it. The bulbs are ELPL079, 15W 145V. Anyone know how this works? What is with the 145V bulbs? We would like to replace the old ones with standard LED units with integral backup. What wiring method was typical between the units and the central command? I can certainly go and open stuff up and figure it out, but thought I would ask here first to save me some hassle.

 

[anthonysolino]

Someone has an old exit sign system that has a central command module that, I assume, has batteries and maybe an inverter in it. The bulbs are ELPL079, 15W 145V. Anyone know how this works? What is with the 145V bulbs? We would like to replace the old ones with standard LED units with integral backup. What wiring method was typical between the units and the central command? I can certainly go and open stuff up and figure it out, but thought I would ask here first to save me some hassle.

I found one of these a Long time ago, they wanted to know why the lights weren't working, the battery in the central unit swelled up like a balloon and leaked every where, they were wet cell batteries. they brought line voltage in to it to keep the unit going, then they ran THHN to it a red and black like a 18 gauge I beleive and the lamps were just positive negative back to the battery. it was a whole DC circuit.

 

[electrofelon]

I found one of these a Long time ago, they wanted to know why the lights weren't working, the battery in the central unit swelled up like a balloon and leaked every where, they were wet cell batteries. they brought line voltage in to it to keep the unit going, then they ran THHN to it a red and black like a 18 gauge I beleive and the lamps were just positive negative back to the battery. it was a whole DC circuit.

this one the signs still illuminate under normal conditions, but I think the battery is dead.

 

[anthonysolino]

this one the signs still illuminate under normal conditions, but I think the battery is dead.

the lights have 120V ran to them or they all come off the battery you think?

 

[norcal]

I always assumed the 145V lamps were for longer life.

 

[LarryFine]

I always assumed the 145V lamps were for longer life.

Same here, though I more often saw 130v bulbs.

Years ago, I wired a night club, and the customer complained the exit in a dark corner was way too bright. I cheated and re-wired the two sockets in series, which ended up with a brightness that was just right.

 

[electrofelon]

the lights have 120V ran to them or they all come off the battery you think?

not sure!

I always assumed the 145V lamps were for longer life.

So they get regular 120 you think? I was thinking it may be a possibility that they get some sort of article 725 power from the control unit?

 

[electrofelon]

Same here, though I more often saw 130v bulbs.

Years ago, I wired a night club, and the customer complained the exit in a dark corner was way too bright. I cheated and re-wired the two sockets in series, which ended up with a brightness that was just right.

so that was a common thing where exit sign bulbs were always labeled 130 or 145 V?

Nice trick on the dimming. The pot growers I worked for just taped them over

 

[anthonysolino]

not sure!


So they get regular 120 you think? I was thinking it may be a possibility that they get some sort of article 725 power from the control unit?

MAYBEEE they are like 24v? from your controller then once the power fails they dump over to 12v? im interested to see what you come up with

 

[electrofelon]

MAYBEEE they are like 24v? from your controller then once the power fails they dump over to 12v? im interested to see what you come up with

could be two circuits run to the signs, one 120V normal and another low voltage bulb that runs off the batteries?

 

[LarryFine]

so that was a common thing where exit sign bulbs were always labeled 130 or 145 V?

Yes, as well as regular bulbs in many commercial installations, which reduces bulb changing. I've bought them many times.

Nice trick on the dimming. The pot growers I worked for just taped them over
Thanx. I actually pulled one white and one black out of the canopy and shortened them before wire-nutting, so there would be only one white and one black to connect.

 

[LarryFine]

could be two circuits run to the signs, one 120V normal and another low voltage bulb that runs off the batteries?

That would make sense. Stop that.

 

[tom baker]

The higher the lamp rated voltage the longer its life. Traffic signal lamps are rated 130 volts, and last 8,000 hours. They got changed yearly and had many hours left. I still have a few somewhere.

 

[broadgage]

I suspect that the lamps are run at 120 volts AC from utility power normally, and at 120 volts DC from the battery during an outage.
The 145 volt lamps are probably simply to extend lamp life. Use of 145 volt lamps may be unwise in this situation, lit exit signs are an important safety feature, and to greatly reduce the light output to save a few $ on lamps might violate the listing which almost certainly specifies what lamps should be fitted.

 

[gadfly56]

I suspect that the lamps are run at 120 volts AC from utility power normally, and at 120 volts DC from the battery during an outage.
The 145 volt lamps are probably simply to extend lamp life. Use of 145 volt lamps may be unwise in this situation, lit exit signs are an important safety feature, and to greatly reduce the light output to save a few $ on lamps might violate the listing which almost certainly specifies what lamps should be fitted.

I don't think so, unless this is complete central distribution with an inverter. Typically, there is a second set of bulbs running at the battery voltage in case of a power outage.

 

[electrofelon]

I don't think so, unless this is complete central distribution with an inverter. Typically, there is a second set of bulbs running at the battery voltage in case of a power outage.

Ok well I will have to go there and take a closer look. Ill let y'all know what the story is.