Building a LED sign truck from scratch..

[Blackmagic94]

The only issue with a motorized PTZ is that you end up looking in the wrong direction a lot of the time. PTZ is good if you need to remotely zoom in on stuff when live monitoring but not so good for viewing afterward (even with object tracking). A fisheye let’s you do a virtual PTZ from recorded video. Just different use cases (I love PTZ’s btw )

They offer a pinhole - https://dlcdn.geovision.com.tw/Manual/IPCAM/Datasheet/Pinhole/Datasheet_IPCam_GV-GPH2800.pdf

Not a 360 and I don’t have personal experience with that camera though.

New AI ones auto track

 

[RiverDave]

New AI ones auto track

Go a link to an eye I can poke thru some aluminum
Or mount somehow where it wouldn’t be crazy intrusive?

 

[Sawtooth]

Dave what about something like this, the little side cameras for RV’s that are used for lane change/back up/surrounding monitoring.

 

[paradise]

New AI ones auto track

Yeah I have a few

The problem is it might not track what you actually want/need to see

 

[RiverDave]

Dave what about something like this, the little side cameras for RV’s that are used for lane change/back up/surrounding monitoring. View attachment 1299906 View attachment 1299907

I don’t know how I’d hook that to a recording device and online etc?

 

[LuauLounge]

In the center of the camera base isn’t the problem. It’s the hinge and rotating assembly to aim it. I’m not sure they will stay where you aim them on a truck that rides like a dump truck..

Then ya have real deal wind driving down the road etc?

I have the indoor ones and I think they’d move.. maybe they up the drag on the hinges on the outdoor ones? Or I guess maybe once we get it aimed I could superglue everything to make it rigid?

Too bad you don't know anyone who can fabricate a locking swivel bracket.

 

[RiverDave]

Too bad you don't know anyone who can fabricate a locking swivel bracket.

I don’t really want anything hanging out in front of the screen if that makes sense..

Just some eyes in the sheet metal is what I’m looking for. I’ll find it sooner or later

 

[paradise]

I don’t really want anything hanging out in front of the screen if that makes sense..

Just some eyes in the sheet metal is what I’m looking for. I’ll find it sooner or later

If you don’t care about a 180 FOV you could do a pretty standard turret, remove the standard mount, have your fabricator cut and finish a hole to fit and fab up a locking collar for the back.

 

[RiverDave]

If you don’t care about a 180 FOV you could do a pretty standard turret, remove the standard mount, have your fabricator cut and finish a hole to fit and fab up a locking collar for the back.

View attachment 1300258 View attachment 1300259

What’s the field of view? Does the turret rotate or something? How is that affecting the field of view?

I can machine something to hold it no problem..

How much are those cameras?

 

[paradise]

What’s the field of view? Does the turret rotate or something? How is that affecting the field of view?

I can machine something to hold it no problem..

How much are those cameras?

usually ~100* horizontal FOV on that style camera. Turret doesn’t rotate once installed. I was saying if you don’t want the FOV of a fisheye. That particular camera is like $500 but you can find cheaper turrets that are consumer grade where you can manage the setup and install Yourself.

Amazon.com : wide fov turret camera

 

[RiverDave]

So Eric did a test fit on the screen the other day

 

[RiverDave]

Backing for led lights..

Cable exits


electronics cabinet

Conduit being run for all the electrical

Mounts for various electrical switches and banks

 

[hman442]

That looks like it'd do the job!

 

[RiverDave]

So test fitted the screen side and now working on the other side, all the while he is running conduit and going through the final stages of.. well pretty much everything. lol.

After he gets everything in position a lot of it will go out to paint. I’m not sure the order because there’s still a lot to figure out like external fuel systems to the genset etc.. then test run, take it all apart the truck gets all the body work paint and all the panels then assembly again and we are off to the races.. everyday it gets closer

Electronics cabinet
Hope for air conditioning and conduit entrances
Genset on back of truck / subwoofer storage / electronics cabinet in front
Control panel for generator

 

[JFMFG]

So test fitted the screen side and now working on the other side, all the while he is running conduit and going through the final stages of.. well pretty much everything. lol.

After he gets everything in position a lot of it will go out to paint. I’m not sure the order because there’s still a lot to figure out like external fuel systems to the genset etc.. then test run, take it all apart the truck gets all the body work paint and all the panels then assembly again and we are off to the races.. everyday it gets closer

Electronics cabinet
Hope for air conditioning and conduit entrances
Genset on back of truck / subwoofer storage / electronics cabinet in front
Control panel for generator

View attachment 1307993 View attachment 1307994 View attachment 1307995 View attachment 1307997

Damn that thing is coming!!!!

 

[Gramps]

Maybe I'm missing something but...............if this a "sign" truck where will the sign sit with the generator and the boxes on the bed of the truck?

 

[H20 Toie]

Maybe I'm missing something but...............if this a "sign" truck where will the sign sit with the generator and the boxes on the bed of the truck?

The whole drivers side will be the screen
From the cab back
It doesn’t raise up it’s basically bolted to the bed of the flat bed
Sorry about the terrible pic

 

[RiverDave]

Maybe I'm missing something but...............if this a "sign" truck where will the sign sit with the generator and the boxes on the bed of the truck?

The genset and electronics are on the passenger side. The screen is on the drivers side with a clearance in between to clear the doors on the screen cabinet..

See post 211

 

[Heylam]

for some reason I thought it was going to be double sided.

 

[RiverDave]

for some reason I thought it was going to be double sided.

No, single sided.. That screen is no joke.. it isn't one of the cheap ones. LOL. I couldn't afford 2.

RD

 

[Romans9]

If you haven’t replaced the fabric style fuel return lines from the injectors back to the fuel tank you might want to do it before you final mount it.

I have a couple of those generators. They are incredible. Very fuel efficient and extremely robust.

Your fab work on the truck is beautiful.

 

[Ladsm]

I have thought about buying one of those Govt Surplus generators and mount to a trailer to offer emergency roadside EV charging in the River area that doesnt have much super charging stations. Not sure if the $$$ would pencil out for the hassle and middle of the night calls for a charge.

 

[4Waters]

I have thought about buying one of those Govt Surplus generators and mount to a trailer to offer emergency roadside EV charging in the River area that doesnt have much super charging stations. Not sure if the $$$ would pencil out for the hassle and middle of the night calls for a charge.

Middle of the night calls are double

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Middle of the night calls are double

Triple even.

 

[4Waters]

Triple even.

Yeah

 

[Singleton]

So when is the excepted completion date?

This is the only way I can see it working, when you look at this project with a financial and tax advantage POV.
RD does not cut corners on builds, so this truck when done will be over 75k.

thinking this post was accurate.

 

[HNL2LHC]

So when is the excepted completion date?

thinking this post was accurate.

2 weeks? Overheard a conversation last week that @RiverDave is putting it on his FIL’s barge and entering the boat parade.

 

[RiverDave]

So when is the excepted completion date?

thinking this post was accurate.

Early January

 

[RiverDave]

If you haven’t replaced the fabric style fuel return lines from the injectors back to the fuel tank you might want to do it before you final mount it.

I have a couple of those generators. They are incredible. Very fuel efficient and extremely robust.

Your fab work on the truck is beautiful.

I haven’t heard anything about this? What did you replace them with? Got any pics?

 

[Done-it-again]

Seems like a lot of expensive work, you think you will make money from it?

 

[RiverDave]

Seems like a lot of expensive work, you think you will make money from it?

My current plan is to charge 35.00 per day for 20 days a month. So basically 700.00 per month per advertiser with approximately 15 advertisers = 10,500 a month. The only real expense is fuel for the generator and monthly oil changes on the generator because I'm driving it short distance and parking it each day.

Then you have events / dealerships that want to promote and have to pay the day rate of 1700 per day (discount for multiple days).. or kids bday parties for video games etc.. 1000 per day. etc..

I think it's a winner in the long run.

RD

 

[Romans9]

I haven’t heard anything about this? What did you replace them with? Got any pics?

I will get some this evening.

 

[Done-it-again]

My current plan is to charge 35.00 per day for 20 days a month. So basically 700.00 per month per advertiser with approximately 15 advertisers = 10,500 a month. The only real expense is fuel for the generator and monthly oil changes on the generator because I'm driving it short distance and parking it each day.

Then you have events / dealerships that want to promote and have to pay the day rate of 1700 per day (discount for multiple days).. or kids bday parties for video games etc.. 1000 per day. etc..

I think it's a winner in the long run.

RD

Sounds like you have solid plan...

Have you checked with the city for any type of permit needed to operate a mobile billboard? Not sure how that works, but city peopled always find a way to extort $$$

 

[4Waters]

Sounds like you have solid plan...

Have you checked with the city for any type of permit needed to operate a mobile billboard? Not sure how that works, but city peopled always find a way to extort $$$

Dave's the fukn mayor

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

So when is the excepted completion date?

thinking this post was accurate.

At this timeline and price point one could have bought a completed truck and it would be nearly paid for by now.

 

[RiverDave]

Sounds like you have solid plan...

Have you checked with the city for any type of permit needed to operate a mobile billboard? Not sure how that works, but city peopled always find a way to extort $$$

Yep.. no city codes against a truck, because it’s a truck. There are a bazillion codes against other stuff / billboards etc

 

[RiverDave]

At this timeline and price point one could have bought a completed truck and it would be nearly paid for by now.

We are still ahead of the game.. but honestly what fun would that be?

As well existing trucks won’t do what this truck will do. Move night.. power my entire Offroad campsite etc. lol

 

[hallett21]

Yep.. no city codes against a truck, because it’s a truck. There are a bazillion codes against other stuff / billboards etc

When I break your numbers down it seems like a home run for you and advertisers. $700 is nothing these days. How long does the ad play before changing over?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

We are still ahead of the game.. but honestly what fun would that be?

As well existing trucks won’t do what this truck will do. Move night.. power my entire Offroad campsite etc. lol

Not at much fun. But then your first truck could be funding the build for this one.

I’ve seen some of the 3 sided LED box trucks for $80-$90k used, or $60 -$100k for just the chassis and you provide the truck.

What’s all inside the box? Are they completely full of gear to run the screens?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Yep.. no city codes against a truck, because it’s a truck. There are a bazillion codes against other stuff / billboards etc

Will there be codes about billboard trucks shortly after this truck hits the streets?

Usually that happens, just be prepared to grease the wheels in City Hall.

 

[RiverDave]

When I break your numbers down it seems like a home run for you and advertisers. $700 is nothing these days. How long does the ad play before changing over?

I am going to do it differently than most sign trucks. Most sign trucks are static ads that rotate. I was going to do three second video clips that transition into a 3-4 second ad.

I need to get some made and look at them before I determine a final # on seconds..


For example detail shop would be 3 second of someone pressure washing a boat or? Then switch into the contact information.

 

[dread Pirate]

I am going to do it differently than most sign trucks. Most sign trucks are static ads that rotate. I was going to do three second video clips that transition into a 3-4 second ad.

I need to get some made and look at them before I determine a final # on seconds..


For example detail shop would be 3 second of a beautiful woman in a swimsuit pressure washing a boat or? Then switch into the contact information.

Fixed it for ya!

 

[hallett21]

I should clarify when I said $700 is nothing these days I meant for advertising lol.

You can go through that in a week with Instagram etc.

 

[RiverDave]

Not at much fun. But then your first truck could be funding the build for this one.

I’ve seen some of the 3 sided LED box trucks for $80-$90k used, or $60 -$100k for just the chassis and you provide the truck.

What’s all inside the box? Are they completely full of gear to run the screens?

The ones I looked at were kinda clapped out and were 80-150k.. for anything good they would be 150-250k (and up).

The plus side is they are generally two or three sided. Downside is they are usually low res.. no audio.. not sure how’d they would hold up in extreme temps or unmanned like I am planning.

Upside of this one is it has good resolution. Everything is rated for Iraq temps (but are air conditioned anyways).. full blown boom bandit style audio.. built to be self sufficient or plug into an Rv 30/50 amp outlet.. and it will power an Offroad campsite or other things for events.

RD

 

[RVR SWPR]

We are still ahead of the game.. but honestly what fun would that be?

As well existing trucks won’t do what this truck will do. Move night.. power my entire Offroad campsite etc. lol

Be prepared for build contractors calling for temp power service,even just a few on site hours.

 

[RiverDave]

Be prepared for build contractors calling for temp power service,even just a few on site hours.

In my experience out here they just plug into the neighbors house.. lol. (Seriously ).

The truck is setup with an array of standard 110 outlets, also outputs 30 amp / 50 amp

 

[ArcadiaBrad]

Those don't look like OSHA rated foot flops?

 

[RiverDave]

Those don't look like OSHA rated foot flops?

All of my flip flops are milspec

 

[RiverDave]

If you haven’t replaced the fabric style fuel return lines from the injectors back to the fuel tank you might want to do it before you final mount it.

I have a couple of those generators. They are incredible. Very fuel efficient and extremely robust.

Your fab work on the truck is beautiful.

So I looked at that line today. Why did you say replace it before we mount it? Do you have to access from the bottom or something?

I’m also wondering why we would want to replace it? What are you replacing it with etc?

 

[Romans9]

So I looked at that line today. Why did you say replace it before we mount it? Do you have to access from the bottom or something?

I’m also wondering why we would want to replace it? What are you replacing it with etc?

The era that those gennies were made used a synthetic rubber hose wrapped with a fabric for the fuel return off the injectors and all the way to the fuel tank. Those generators sat for long periods of time without running (low hours vs age) and the lines break down and leak once you start running them through regular heat cycles. Cheap to replace and much easier now since the panels have to come off around the fuel tank to get it all. Just order some high quality marine rated hose to replace it with. I have three of them and I have set up a couple more for friends and three of them leaked after a few heat and cool cycles.

They are however the best generators of that size I have ever seen and I work on all of them from 10k to 4000K.