CCDAstro
07-05-07, 11:46 PM
I just got and installed a "3D" light box from Spotlight Displays. It consists of a fairly heavy white sheet metal backing, contoured blow molded black plastic bottom and top, and two sheets of plastic appx. 1/16 more or less thick. The back sheet is a white diffuser and the front sheet clear with black masking top and bottom and a "filmstrip" pattern on the sides. The poster is held between these by friction/pressure. It is illuminated by a single 36 inch 30W (F30T12) fluorescent fixture attached vertically in the center of the back plate. It can be hardwired but comes with a cord and plug.
It also can be hung from brackets and chains (included) but that looks kinda cheesy, IMHO. Better to screw it to the wall.
I only had a couple of minor gripes. The biggest two were that the standoff holes were not spaced for 16 inch studs so I had to make some standoff blocks. It worked fine but should not have been needed if they spaced to the standard as they should have. The second gripe was that the ballast was not properly secured within the fixture but a drill and sheet metal screw fixed that.
The good news is that the service was excellent and the price was only $340! As you may know, this is WAY below the outrageous $800- $1200 other lighted boxes go for.
I have still to evaluate heat buildup, I do not expect it to be an issue but need to let it run for 12 hours or so to be sure (I am kinda overly careful about safety stuff). I will say that I did some tests with the intention of building a rope light illuminated box and found that the rope light was not nearly bright enough, especially with dark, double sided posters. This box is quite bright even with the dark "Batman Begins" double sided poster.
http://nightskypictures.com/theater/Poster.jpg
These can be purchased at Spotlight Displays (http://www.spotlightdisplays.com/)
It also can be hung from brackets and chains (included) but that looks kinda cheesy, IMHO. Better to screw it to the wall.
I only had a couple of minor gripes. The biggest two were that the standoff holes were not spaced for 16 inch studs so I had to make some standoff blocks. It worked fine but should not have been needed if they spaced to the standard as they should have. The second gripe was that the ballast was not properly secured within the fixture but a drill and sheet metal screw fixed that.
The good news is that the service was excellent and the price was only $340! As you may know, this is WAY below the outrageous $800- $1200 other lighted boxes go for.
I have still to evaluate heat buildup, I do not expect it to be an issue but need to let it run for 12 hours or so to be sure (I am kinda overly careful about safety stuff). I will say that I did some tests with the intention of building a rope light illuminated box and found that the rope light was not nearly bright enough, especially with dark, double sided posters. This box is quite bright even with the dark "Batman Begins" double sided poster.
http://nightskypictures.com/theater/Poster.jpg
These can be purchased at Spotlight Displays (http://www.spotlightdisplays.com/)