AC Power
Radar speed signs are often powered by AC power or batteries. AC or ‘Alternating Current’ power is the electricity sent over power lines from the electric company. It is typically very stable and reliable. This helps the signs function effectively and continue to display speed readings over long periods. AC power is ideal for permanent installations on busy roads.
Because AC power is not available everywhere, the portability of these signs is limited. Placing the sign elsewhere requires that location to have AC and then connect power to the radar sign. Moving the sign from one place to another takes time and resources, but is worth it for long-term installation. However, there is a more portable power option available that doesn’t require AC power.
Solar Power
With powering a traditional solar radar sign, the sign is connected to a solar panel, which is attached to a permanent signpost or pole, or attached to a trailer. This solar panel collects power from the sun. Then, the battery captures the energy and powers the sign. The solar power captured is continually charging the battery while the sun is shining. The energy collected in the batteries can operate the sign, even when there is no sunshine to collect.
The challenge with traditional solar-powered radar signs is the solar panel takes time to set up. Also, the signs have an external battery box, which can be bulky and heavy. This makes it much more difficult to move around, even when excluding the panel.
A Step Up: Integrated Solar Radar Speed Signs
Integrated solar radar signs are constructed with light-weight internal lithium batteries, making them different from traditional solar speed radar signs. This eliminates the traditional external battery box.
Integrated solar make the sign setup easier and simpler. Setting up a sign with integrated solar is much quicker than traditional solar. Integrated solar also provides longer run times than traditional battery power, because the solar panel captures power that keeps the batteries charged and working longer. As long as the solar panels have access to sunlight, there is no need for someone to physically go to the sign and remove the batteries to be recharged. Solar power can reduce maintenance time for users while the radar signs continue to reduce speeding and collect traffic data.
Integrated solar provides more flexibility, so users can move their radar signs around as needed. No longer does someone have to move the sign, the external battery, and the solar panel. Integrated Solar is constantly charging the batteries. This means the sign can run off of its batteries alone for an extended period of time. Thereby it is suitable for both short-term and long-term deployment.
Maximizing Efficiency and Minimizing Maintenance
Integrated solar-powered radar speed signs are the perfect solution for both short-term and long-term setups. For long-term setups, solar power will keep the sign and its batteries powered much longer than just the batteries alone. For short-term setups, you can keep the solar setup where you’d like, but take the fully charged sign and install it elsewhere. Since the batteries are located within the sign, there is no concern of having to separately install an external battery box. Then, its charged batteries power the sign so you can place it on a different road for a short period to reduce speeding, conduct a traffic study, and more. Once used for a short period away from the solar installation, make sure to boost your battery by charging with the wall charger.
Shield Signs + Integrated Solar
All Traffic Solutions offers the Shield 12 and Shield 15 radar signs. These signs are perfect for temporary and permanent deployment. Shield signs offer accurate speed displays, durable construction, simple mounting, and flexible power options. They also collect traffic data that can help identify if and when drivers are violating the speeds on the road, along with other metrics. With TraffiCloudⓇ remote management software, easily access collected traffic data, generate ready-made reports, and remotely manage your sign from anywhere with an Internet-connected device.
All Traffic Solutions exclusively offers integrated solar, provided for the Shield 12 and Shield 15 radar speed displays. Installing an integrated solar-powered Shield is easy! Mount the sign and solar panel on a post, then connect the two. The sign can be managed remotely through All Traffic Solutions’ TraffiCloud software. Integrated solar-powered signs connected to TraffiCloud need no visits after setup. The user(s) can monitor the sign’s status, adjust settings, and access their data online through the convenient TraffiCloud portal.
If you want to learn more about Shield radar speed signs or integrated solar radar speed signs, please contact us here to learn more.
About All Traffic Solutions
All Traffic Solutions has been proudly serving law enforcement and municipalities for over 20 years by providing traffic safety tools such as radar signs, radar speed and message trailers, and portable message boards that can be managed remotely by our patented TraffiCloud software.
