Whether in congested cities, small towns or on rural and remote roadways, traffic flashers are used to help warn vehicular traffic to possible hazardous areas or intersections ahead. Pedestrian crosswalks, school zones, fire stations, hospital zones and speed zones are just a few of the many applications where solar stationary flashing beacons are used to enhance the visibility of roadway signage. In the past, stationary traffic flashers were powered by standard utility-grid power. In areas where no power was available, or too expensive to install, traffic engineers have learned that PV power can be of great benefit in providing a reliable electrical power source.

How it works

The PV array generates DC power when exposed to sunlight. The power output of the PV array is directly proportional to the sun's intensity. The energy generated is stored in high quality deep cycle batteries for use anytime including night and for periods of inclement or cloudy weather. The traffic beacons are controlled by a quartz clock which is fully programmable with automatic compensation for leap year, and daylight savings time. The controller operates up to two flashing beacons of either red, yellow or green. Low power LED heads or standard halogen bulbs are available. The SOLAR SIGNALS'" traffic flasher systems from Southwest PV Systems Inc. are totally stand alone warning systems designed for long service life with little maintenance. Anticipated battery life in cold climates is 4-5 years and 2-3 years in hot places like Arizona. 12 volt halogen lamps burn approximately 1000 hours while LED inserts are rated for 50,000 hours of service. The PV modules are expected to last for 30 years or more and are warranted to produce 80% of its initial power after 20 years of service.

• Sizing map guide for traffic flasher systems

Our experience makes the difference

We have been building solar powered traffic flashers long enough to have learned what it takes to supply a well designed system that will operate as promised for many years. Careful attention is paid to component quality and ease of integrating into our systems. Southwest PV Systems Inc. has supplied signals in locations as diverse as Montreal, Canada to Alpine, Texas. SOLAR SIGNALS'" systems and components from Southwest PV Sys tems Inc. are operating at such distinguished sites as NASA Space Center - Houston, TX; Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport; Edwards Air Force Base - California and SANDIA National Laboratories - New Mexico to name a few. Some cities in the U.S. have standardized on school zone speed limit flashers with solar energy as the only power source. Many of the sites installed were near utility-grid power and designers still considered the solar option a much more cost effective and reliable solution.

Benefits and features

• Freedom to locate signage in any unshaded area.
• More cost effective than power line extensions especially if trenching is required under pavement.
• Immune to utility power failures.
• Systems designed for most climates worldwide; battery capacity to yield several days reserve power for extended periods of inclement weather.
• Single or dual signal heads available in red, yellow or green 8 inch (200mm) or 12 inch (300mm) diameter LED inserts.
• Easily programmed quartz time clock with 16 program steps, 10 skip plans, daylight savings and automatic leap year compensation.
• Charge controls are electronically fused and reverse polarity protected.
• UL Listed solar modules and charge controls. 20 years manufacturers power warranty on solar modules.
• Ease of field installation; will fit any 1-A traffic pole or utility pole; pre-wired control board; turnkey systems also available worldwide.

System components

• Top of pole mount hardware
• Mounting pole with base
• Solar Modules
  • Solar arrays of 1-4 Solarex modules depending on system requirements
• Flashers
  • 50/60 Flashes per minute; solid state
    • 8" or 12" signal heads
    • single or double (double gives bouncing ball effect)
    • LED or Halogen
• Traffic sign
  • Standard 3M reflectorized. Other sign choices available including custom signs
• Solar charge control
  • Electronically fused
• Reverse polarity protected
• Temperature compensated
• Lightning protected
• Time Clock
  • Solid state
  • Quartz controlled
  • Programmable with auto daylight savings, multiple holiday schedules and leap year compensation
• Battery Bank
  • Maintenance free, sealed
  • Lead-calcium
  • D.O.T. non-spillable
  • 2 and 4 battery configurations
• Battery Cabinet
  • .125" Aluminum with stainless steel hinges and police lock. Holds charge control, batteries and time clock