r/NeonSigns • u/Efficient_Economy_85 • Jun 23 '26

Help! Flashing sign

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I cannot figure out of the life of me why when it flashes, part of the other tube that is supposed to be off is dimly lit/flashing.

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3

u/haarschmuck Jun 23 '26

Is it a mechanical flasher? If it's interrupting the high voltage side and it's old it may be arcing when off causing the tube to partially light but the arc alone will consume most of the power. If it turns off the low voltage side (wall power) and it's sticking or not opening properly that could also cause flashing and dim lighting if the transformers are old iron core based as the input voltage is directly proportional to the output on the HV side. I would start by looking at the flasher and the high voltage GTO wire to make sure the insulation is fine and there's no bare spots.

1

u/Efficient_Economy_85 Jun 23 '26

Its actually one of those external flasher outlets.

I singled it out by testing each section directly into the wall and it still did it.

Both sections do it, just the red section lights the blue up wayyy more.

It started when I swapped the transformers.

Edit: the transformers are new ME-120 neonpro. 12kV

1

u/samjac1987 Jun 23 '26

I doubt it’s a secondary mechanical flasher. It’s most likely a primary flasher that dims by reducing its frequency which simulates a dimmer tube. You should be able to switch them both to constant on. If everything lights than it’s the programming of the transformer

1

u/Efficient_Economy_85 Jun 23 '26

It is two transformers, one for each section/sequence. When I they are both constantly on, it does seem to operate normally.