Would this be a fire hazard? Slim Line Marquee...

[slapaham]

I'm looking at making a very slim line marquee with one of these...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380073164115&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3229wt_950

The flo tube would be mounted facing upwards. It would be enclosed in a thick plastic enclosure that would have an inside space of around 80cm in length, 3.5cm in depth and around 10cm in height. Then on the front would be the custom printed marquee. In all the depth would mean 0.75cm either side of the flo tube - so it's tight! However, it would have quite a bit of space above it and beside it. If I was to put some vent holes in the back of the plastic enclosure do you think it would be safe? Or is this a potential fire hazard? Might it actually melt the marquee or plastic?

Opinions please. I know this is an incredibly slim marquee but due to the project it would be best suited this way!

[BobA]

I'd go with an LED strip rather than a flourescent light.  10 W is alot of heat even with vent holes when the box is that tight.   I put an LED strip from GGG in a shadow box that was only an inch and a half deep with no heat problems at all.

Pictures in this thread.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69374.40

[slapaham]

I'd go with an LED strip rather than a flourescent light.  10 W is alot of heat even with vent holes when the box is that tight.   I put an LED strip from GGG in a shadow box that was only an inch and a half deep with no heat problems at all.

Pictures in this thread.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69374.40

Nice! Cheers Bob! Think I'll have to get a couple of these and join them together - one won't be long enough for my loooooooooooong marquee. Great solution... once I come to implementing my marquee unit I'll get onto it! Bookmarked!