Building a LED sign truck from scratch..

[RiverDave]

An off-road drive-In theater this winter might be cool.

I'm guessing you can rent to the race promoters for something.

Super Bowl for someone that wants the big screen and big sound. Offroad events.. on water events (like jaws playing to the shallows). B day parties for kids..

It’s main stay though would be 24:7 advertising for businesses in LHC or?? If we decide to take it somewhere.

Being built with the idea that you can fire it up and leave it for 2-3 days at a time if needed. If I’m havasu I plan on moving it every 24-48 hrs depending on location.

I went way overkill on the generator otherwise it could self sustain for a week at a time if needed. I’d rather have the extra power and burn a little extra fuel though.. totally worth it for the extras ya get.

Anyhow bunker bar is on my call list for a late night movie night kinda deal? Or maybe we just have an rdp event in the desert? We will see..

 

[RiverDave]

I’m not sure what a ad campaign would be worth on a truck like this.. I have seen the billboard trucks.. “blah”

I was thinking use my film guy 5-7’ish second second vid per ad / animation is key. Produced by us, put on a Main Street either Monday thru Friday? Or Friday thru Sunday? Depending on seasons and customers..

What would ya charge for something like that? I got a few ideas.. Eric has a few ideas.. lol. Im Guessing somewhere in the middle?

What do you think?

Did I just piss in the wind? Or am I building another truck right after this one.

My original intention of building this thing was solely rdp / TRDP. But now that its Coming together I am starting to see the light here.

I think this thing can be very viable..

RD

 

[gqchris]

Are you trying to turn Havasu into Socal? I can see using it for events and parties, but parking it around town everyday is a little much.

All we need now is taco and elote cart's on every corner!

RD is just trying to fill in for this missing Havasu icon

 

[Havasu blue label]

I’m not sure what a ad campaign would be worth on a truck like this.. I have seen the billboard trucks.. “blah”

I was thinking use my film guy 5-7’ish second second vid per ad / animation is key. Produced by us, put on a Main Street either Monday thru Friday? Or Friday thru Sunday? Depending on seasons and customers..

What would ya charge for something like that? I got a few ideas.. Eric has a few ideas.. lol. Im Guessing somewhere in the middle?

What do you think?

Did I just piss in the wind? Or am I building another truck right after this one.

My original intention of building this thing was solely rdp / TRDP. But now that its Coming together I am starting to see the light here.

I think this thing can be very viable..

RD

You should check the prices in Vegas and go from there ballon fest is a money maker

 

[Ladsm]

I am sure local bars with live music and strip clubs would buy some ad time. Just need to find a teenager with a clean DL to drive around at night with hotties dancing on the LED

 

[Ducksquasher]

We must be on different wave lengths? I look at that and see a mobile stipper pole with an awesome light set-up and speakers cranking "Porn Star Dancing" on loop...

Love that song!

 

[pronstar]

As long as it's not Dave on the Pole!

We once had a stripper pole in our house, the wife taught “pole fitness” classes to cougars in Belmont Shore.

I swear when we had people over for get togethers, more drunk dudes messed around with the stripper pole than gals.

 

[whiteworks]

There is a market for this type of thing, is that market in havasu? I dunno, but it has wheels under it so if not you put it where the money is. I have a friend who does a similar type business on the side but he’s uses big projectors and flashes up the sides of buildings. You might want to consider adding a projector system to this aswell so you could have the potential to flash a large wall/building you’re parked next to. I’m guessing you could do something on the cheap with a little epson projector from staples, but if you want to spend money like an asshole check out some of the big laser projectors by Christie.

Aswell you could build out a pontoon setup for the screens you have and do a drive in on the water, or maybe turn copper canyon into a drive in at night with your new projector.

<—WW can spend other peoples money like asshole really well.

Photo to promote thought.

 

[mbrown2]

With so many of those advertising trucks already in service, would seem much more cost effective to just rent one if you have a job or buy one used to see if it makes financial sense... ...instead of creating a custom anomaly with a one off system that needs to be maintained.....but it seems like this is more of a passion project vs profit project..

 

[monkeyswrench]

@whiteworks may be on to something...what are the weights of the screens and a genny set up? Could you make one a double sided, skidmount? Basically, a unit that could be mounted on a very basic pontoon, for cruising the channel and such (Pirate's, Topoc 66, or Havasu businesses). Or...launched in Bullhead to cruise in front of the hotels.

If it was skid mounted, set it up to be winches on to another flatbed for land based events.

 

[RiverDave]

With so many of those advertising trucks already in service, would seem much more cost effective to just rent one if you have a job or buy one used to see if it makes financial sense... ...instead of creating a custom anomaly with a one off system that needs to be maintained.....but it seems like this is more of a passion project vs profit project..

None are in service out here that I have seen. I have seen some basic ones with stagnant images but no digital. Even those they were here and now are not? Only place I have ever really seen digital was in vegas actually.

RD

 

[mbrown2]

None are in service out here that I have seen. I have seen some basic ones with stagnant images but no digital. Even those they were here and now are not? Only place I have ever really seen digital was in vegas actually.

RD

That was my thoughts...go to Vegas and buy used if you really think there is a venture for it in Havasu...

 

[RiverDave]

That was my thoughts...go to Vegas and buy used if you really think there is a venture for it in Havasu...

You priced one? . I’ll build em all day long instead of paying that! Jesus

Used LED Trucks | LED Mobile Digital Billboard Trucks

led-trucks.com

 

[paradise]

There is a market for this type of thing, is that market in havasu? I dunno, but it has wheels under it so if not you put it where the money is. I have a friend who does a similar type business on the side but he’s uses big projectors and flashes up the sides of buildings. You might want to consider adding a projector system to this aswell so you could have the potential to flash a large wall/building you’re parked next to. I’m guessing you could do something on the cheap with a little epson projector from staples, but if you want to spend money like an asshole check out some of the big laser projectors by Christie.

Aswell you could build out a pontoon setup for the screens you have and do a drive in on the water, or maybe turn copper canyon into a drive in at night with your new projector.

<—WW can spend other peoples money like asshole really well.

Photo to promote thought.

View attachment 1250062

A cheap projector won't have near the light output you need and is only good at night. I today just got in a 13k Lumen Christie for replacement at a project. $25k and it really wouldn't be great for much more than a 200" image and you would want full darkness.

There's a reason why LED walls exist, they are soooo much brighter and at reasonable resolutions can be cheaper than a projection setup.

 

[mbrown2]

You priced one? . I’ll build em all day long instead of paying that! Jesus

Used LED Trucks | LED Mobile Digital Billboard Trucks

led-trucks.com

You are guy who's TV goes out and he builds one that trumps Samsung

 

[RiverDave]

A cheap projector won't have near the light output you need and is only good at night. I today just got in a 13k Lumen Christie for replacement at a project. $25k and it really wouldn't be great for much more than a 200" image and you would want full darkness.

There's a reason why LED walls exist, they are soooo much brighter and at reasonable resolutions can be cheaper than a projection setup.

This video wall that Dan got me you can see clear as day at about 50% brightness.. if you turn it up more it’s hard to even look at.

I agree I don’t think a projector would work unless it’s dark out.

 

[RiverDave]

With so many of those advertising trucks already in service, would seem much more cost effective to just rent one if you have a job or buy one used to see if it makes financial sense... ...instead of creating a custom anomaly with a one off system that needs to be maintained.....but it seems like this is more of a passion project vs profit project..

My thought process of pure profit some passion.

If I can get 10 companies at 35 bucks a day x 20 days a month it’s about 7k a month.. figure 15-20 gallons of diesel a day and the cost of the employee to move it once a day? Or move it myself? Change the oil in the genset once a month..

That’s why I was asking what do ya think it would be worth? I think those numbers are very very conservative..

Biz would be profitable in 6-7 months? Maybe 8?

Plus I get the added bonus of free advertising for TRDP / rdp..

I figure you can rent it out to select customers like Bradley Chevrolet etc for a decent chunk for weekends or dedicated advertising? And parties / events etc..

I don’t think I’ll get rich on it but it will help the RE biz, and pay itself off decently quick.

RD

 

[Sportin' Wood]

There is a market for this type of thing, is that market in havasu? I dunno, but it has wheels under it so if not you put it where the money is. I have a friend who does a similar type business on the side but he’s uses big projectors and flashes up the sides of buildings. You might want to consider adding a projector system to this aswell so you could have the potential to flash a large wall/building you’re parked next to. I’m guessing you could do something on the cheap with a little epson projector from staples, but if you want to spend money like an asshole check out some of the big laser projectors by Christie.

Aswell you could build out a pontoon setup for the screens you have and do a drive in on the water, or maybe turn copper canyon into a drive in at night with your new projector.

<—WW can spend other peoples money like asshole really well.

Photo to promote thought.

View attachment 1250062

My selfish first thought was how nice it would be sitting on your property in JV watching the live coverage of KOH on this thing.

 

[RiverDave]

My selfish first thought was how nice it would be sitting on your property in JV watching the live coverage of KOH on this thing.

I’ll bring it! Lol. Kind of a shitty vehicle
To drive that far but do able.

 

[paradise]

This video wall that Dan got me you can see clear as day at about 50% brightness.. if you turn it up more it’s hard to even look at.

I agree I don’t think a projector would work unless it’s dark out.

Yeah we've used them before in permanent installs and renting for events. I usually push for them over projection in most cases. I'm a fan

 

[hallett21]

I’ll bring it! Lol. Kind of a shitty vehicle
To drive that far but do able.

Tow it on a car hauler?

 

[RiverDave]

Tow it on a car hauler?

I’d just have Jake drive it out there and I’ll drive the motorhome. Lol

 

[JayBreww]

Tow it on a car hauler?

Ain’t nobody renting a trailer to this guy…

 

[whiteworks]

My selfish first thought was how nice it would be sitting on your property in JV watching the live coverage of KOH on this thing.

Would be so much better for promoting the pop up titty bar/brothel

 

[RiverDave]

Would be so much better for promoting the pop up titty bar/brothel

View attachment 1250099

Nice!!

 

[bonesfab]

at the rate Dave is spending money on this, Riverdiva is going to make him switch to Budlight.

 

[RiverDave]

at the rate Dave is spending money on this, Riverdiva is going to make him switch to Budlight.

Spending money to make money is always good.. I might have to ditch some toys though pretty soon.. lol

 

[RiverDave]

Building the ac cabinets and getting ready to mount the doors. Those doors are as tall as I am.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Building the ac cabinets and getting ready to mount the doors. Those doors are as tall as I am.

View attachment 1250119 View attachment 1250120

what are the ac,s for???

 

[RiverDave]

what are the ac,s for???

One was to cool the processors and lap top that runs the screen in its own cabinet. The screen is temperature rated but since we have it in an enclosed cabinet we just added one in there as well even if it doesn’t need it.. figured it couldn’t hurt?

We have more than enough power (by a hundred times) and the ac’s are 200.00 so why not?

RD

 

[2FORCEFULL]

One was to cool the processors and lap top that runs the screen in its own cabinet. The screen is temperature rated but since we have it in an enclosed cabinet we just added one in there as well even if it doesn’t need it.. figured it couldn’t hurt?

We have more than enough power (by a hundred times) and the ac’s are 200.00 so why not?

RD

I thought maybe there was a sleeper section between the screens,

 

[calkid]

You need a hobby dave$$

He apparently has one

 

[calkid]

An off-road drive-In theater this winter might be cool.

I'm guessing you can rent to the race promoters for something.

I see a "golf cart" drive in theater in our future.

 

[RiverDave]

I gotta figure out the audio for this thing.. I am thinking indoor outdoor home speakers with a sub?

Any ideas?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Arena/stadium speakers? Don't know how if they'd hit the lows enough, but loud and weather proof.

 

[Englewood]

Any more pics of the skirting/cabinets? I think you are on to something here.

 

[merc_400r]

It's coming out very nice. Can not wait to see the final product.

 

[clarence]

I gotta figure out the audio for this thing.. I am thinking indoor outdoor home speakers with a sub?

Any ideas?

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[CarolynandBob]

My thought process of pure profit some passion.

If I can get 10 companies at 35 bucks a day x 20 days a month it’s about 7k a month.. figure 15-20 gallons of diesel a day and the cost of the employee to move it once a day? Or move it myself? Change the oil in the genset once a month..

That’s why I was asking what do ya think it would be worth? I think those numbers are very very conservative..

Biz would be profitable in 6-7 months? Maybe 8?

Plus I get the added bonus of free advertising for TRDP / rdp..

I figure you can rent it out to select customers like Bradley Chevrolet etc for a decent chunk for weekends or dedicated advertising? And parties / events etc..

I don’t think I’ll get rich on it but it will help the RE biz, and pay itself off decently quick.

RD

Have a separate business for the LED Truck. Then RDP and TRDP buys time not free. Write off for both companies.

 

[Paradox]

There is a market for this type of thing, is that market in havasu? I dunno, but it has wheels under it so if not you put it where the money is. I have a friend who does a similar type business on the side but he’s uses big projectors and flashes up the sides of buildings. You might want to consider adding a projector system to this aswell so you could have the potential to flash a large wall/building you’re parked next to. I’m guessing you could do something on the cheap with a little epson projector from staples, but if you want to spend money like an asshole check out some of the big laser projectors by Christie.

Aswell you could build out a pontoon setup for the screens you have and do a drive in on the water, or maybe turn copper canyon into a drive in at night with your new projector.

<—WW can spend other peoples money like asshole really well.

Photo to promote thought.

View attachment 1250062

Im involved in a new theater arts building. The Christie projector and lens (for the screening room) was $65,000.

 

[Singleton]

Have a separate business for the LED Truck. Then RDP and TRDP buys time not free. Write off for both companies.

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.

 

[oldboatsrule]

Im involved in a new theater arts building. The Christie projector and lens (for the screening room) was $65,000.

I most likely built the cage it sits in.

 

[whiteworks]

Im involved in a new theater arts building. The Christie projector and lens (for the screening room) was $65,000.

That’s getting into big boy projector territory we used these two on a projection mapping proof of concept project a few years back, no joke laser projectors dipping into the 6 figure mark. One of the photographers burned out the sensor in his DSLR by shooting photos in the wrong direction LOL

 

[RiverDave]

Any more pics of the skirting/cabinets? I think you are on to something here.

The cabinets are all being built
Right now and should be here next week.

 

[RiverDave]

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.

I don’t think it’s gonna be that much.. at least I hope it’s not. This is all being paid for cash out of my toy slush fund.

 

[lbhsbz]

I gotta figure out the audio for this thing.. I am thinking indoor outdoor home speakers with a sub?

Any ideas?

Those should sound nice in an aluminum box...lol

 

[RiverDave]

Those should sound nice in an aluminum box...lol

They would be mounted outside on the corners on temp mounts and then stored in the cabinets..

Or option to mount them in cabinets and open the doors so the sound would be projected out (not in).. couple options.

I am thinking temp mounts and stored in the under cabinets would be best for flexibility

 

[RiverDave]

Locks are in, Eric switched hinges because he didn’t like the original ones.. AC cabinet is templated and framed. Raised hitch is finished.

Bear in mind after it’s all built 100% of it comes back apart for paint and the reassembly.. lol.

Eric scrapped the original fuel tank idea based on calculations and we are going with two giant tanks on both sides of the truck.

This thing will start coming together fast over the next two weeks.. the. Take it apart / paint reassembly and we begin testing.

 

[Englewood]

What is a ballpark cost to add skirting/cabinets?

 

[RiverDave]

What is a ballpark cost to add skirting/cabinets?

I’d have to ask Eric.. I’ll let ya know on Monday when I see him.