Service Tips – Spring Maintenance

Now that the construction season is here, it is important to follow a few simple maintenance steps to ensure that your SolarTech message boards and arrow boards are ready for use:

• Check the battery fluid level at least every other month.  Add distilled water, if necessary, to bring the fluid level up to the fill ring.  Caution: do not use tap water!  (Note:  Use of Gel-Cell batteries eliminates this step!)
• Check to ensure the photocell is clear of excess dirt and debris.  Check the functionality of the photocell by covering the lens and observing the change in intensity of the LEDs.
• Check the solar panels to insure that they are clean and free of excess dirt and debris.  Clean with clear water as required. 
  SolarTech recommends using a spray bottle and a window washer squeegee mounted on a pole. 
  Caution: do not use ammonia or chlorine based cleaning solutions!
• Make sure that the unit is aimed properly.  Use the sight tube, attached to every unit, to properly aim the unit directly at approaching traffic.  This will ensure that the sign panel will be fully visible to oncoming motorists under all lighting conditions.
• Finally, when you bring the unit off the job it is always a good idea to place a heavy-duty charger on the batteries to clean up the sulfate on the plates. 
  Do this at least once a year – it will extend the life of your batteries.

As with any machine, regular maintenance of your SolarTech arrow boards and message boards will prolong the life of the equipment.