Ans. It is on account of the care required in their construction, large amount of wiring necessary and large flasher required.
A sign four by ten feet outside dimensions, would require in the neighborhood of 150 lamps in the border alone on each side. This would require a flasher with 75 switches and about 82 wires to run between the sign and flasher.
Fig. 1,028.—Chaser wiring diagram for two snakes. Draw a line diagonally through the sign (as shown in dotted line) so that one-half the total lamps will be on either side. Begin to number from one consecutively to the line. Over the line commence again at 1 and number as before. For three snakes, divide total lamps into three parts and number as before. In each case, connect all lamps of the same number to the same wire whether the sign be single or double face. The wire containing all the No. 1 lamps goes to the No. 1 switch on the flasher, and the remaining sets are connected similarly.
Ques. How are chaser signs worked?
Ans. There are several ways of operating these signs. The border is generally working continuously, while the center can be flashed or not, as may be desired. Flashing the wording reduces the current expense, which offsets in a measure the extra cost of the sign.
The border, although working continuously consumes very little current.
Ques. What is the relative cost of a one snake sign as compared with a two snake sign?
Ans. One snake running around the border would cost twice as much for flasher and wiring as a two snake flasher.