Sign Cabinet Solutions — Frequently Asked Questions

1. Midi Stick System

What is the Midi Stick?

An aluminum I-beam rail in 8 ft lengths, cut to size on site, into which TMT Midi family modules snap without tape, screws, or glue. Source: TMT LEDs USA.

Which modules work with the Midi Stick?

The Midi family: Midi 4 Game Changer, Midi 3 Game Player, and Midi Edge-lit.

Can module spacing be adjusted on the stick?

Yes — modules slide along the I-beam, so they can be positioned closer for a brighter cabinet or spread for standard output.

Does the stick sag on long horizontal runs?

No. The rigid I-beam profile is designed to install horizontally with no sag in the middle. Source: TMT LEDs USA.

2. Module Selection

Which module is best for face-lit cabinets?

The Midi 4 Game Changer (250-300 Lm per module, RevA datasheet) for maximum output, or the Midi 3 Game Player (225 Lm) as the economical option with a 7-year warranty.

Which module is best for edge-lit cabinets?

The Midi Edge-lit, with a 15°×45° directional beam that throws light up to 7 ft across the face. It is for sign cabinets and edge-lit lightboxes only — not channel letters.

Can I use channel letter modules like the Mini 2 in a cabinet?

Small-format modules are designed for channel letter strokes; cabinets are better served by the higher-output Midi family on the Midi Stick, which is engineered for cabinet spans and spacing.

Are the cabinet modules waterproof?

Yes. All TMT LED signage modules carry an IP67 rating, confirmed from official datasheets.

3. Power Supplies & Wiring

How many Midi modules fit on a 60W supply?

Official per-model limits per 60W/12V Class 2 circuit: Midi 4 (1.7W): 32; Midi 3 (1.5W): 34; Midi Edge (1.7W): 30; Midi Edge (2.4W): 21.

What is a Class 2 circuit?

A UL safety classification limiting each low-voltage output circuit to 100 VA maximum (60W at 12V via the 5A limit). Multi-circuit TMT supplies provide several independent Class 2 circuits in one unit.

Should I choose 12V or 24V?

Match the supply to the module variant voltage and never mix. 24V variants (Midi 4, Midi Edge) allow longer runs per circuit at the same current; 12V is the standard for most module variants.

Which supply suits a large cabinet?

Multi-circuit models reduce supply count: the LDM150P-12-C23 provides three independent 5A circuits and the LDM240P-12-C24 provides four. See the LED Power Supplies section for the confirmed lineup.

4. Installation

Do I need to survey a cabinet before a Midi Stick install?

Usually not — 8 ft sticks are cut to length on site, so stock rails and bags of modules cover any cabinet size. Source: TMT LEDs USA.

How are 10 ft lamp positions covered?

Join a 2 ft stick to an 8 ft stick using two New Construction connectors back to back. Source: TMT LEDs USA.

Who should perform the electrical work?

Low-voltage Class 2 module wiring can be handled by the sign installer; line-voltage work (supply inputs, ballast removal) must be performed by a qualified electrician per local code.

Can supplies be mounted in wet locations?

Yes — TMT supplies are IP67 rated and UL8750 listed, suitable for dry, damp, and wet locations when installed per local code.

5. Brightness & Performance

How do I know how bright my cabinet will be?

Use the published lumen tables for Midi 4 (24V) and Midi 3 (12V), which give reference output for cabinets from 24 to 120 inches, single and double-sided.

How do I make an existing layout brighter?

On the Midi Stick, slide modules closer together to increase density — then re-check the power supply load against the official per-model limits.

Why does my cabinet show hot spots?

Hot spots come from modules mounted too close to the face for their beam angle, or from insufficient face diffusion. Increase depth-to-spacing ratio, add diffusion, or switch shallow cabinets to Midi Edge-lit perimeter lighting.

Do double-sided cabinets need twice the modules?

Broadly yes — each face needs its own illumination, which is why the lumen tables list single and double-sided values separately.

6. Energy Efficiency

How efficient are the cabinet modules?

The Midi Edge-lit reaches up to 181 Lm/W (2.4W variant), the Midi 4 runs 155 Lm/W, and the Midi 3 150 Lm/W, per official datasheets.

How efficient are the power supplies?

TMT supplies run 88-93% efficiency; Active PFC models occupy the top of that range, with the 24V LDM150P-24-C22 at 93%.

Does LED conversion reduce operating cost versus fluorescent?

LED cabinet lighting reduces energy use versus fluorescent lamps; use the ROI Calculator with your cabinet dimensions and local electricity rate for a project-specific estimate rather than a generic percentage.

What is Active PFC and why does it matter?

Active Power Factor Correction aligns voltage and current phase, improving efficiency and reducing harmonic distortion on the building's electrical system.

7. Retrofitting

What is the retrofit process?

Four phases: assessment (measure and document), planning (match output via lumen tables, size supplies), installation (de-energize, remove ballasts, mount sticks, wire Class 2 circuits), and verification (evenness and load checks).

Can ballasts stay in the circuit?

No — remove or completely bypass ballasts. The LED supplies connect to the line-voltage feed directly, with ballast removal performed by a qualified electrician.

How do I match the old fluorescent brightness?

Select the module and layout whose published lumen table value meets or exceeds the existing lamp output for your cabinet length and sidedness.

Why is the Midi Stick suited to retrofit trucks?

One 8 ft stock length cuts to any size, and connectors extend runs for 10 ft lamp positions — so a truck stocked with sticks and module bags can retrofit nearly any cabinet without a prior survey. Source: TMT LEDs USA.

8. Cabinet Design & Materials

What are most sign cabinets made of?

Extruded aluminum frame systems or fabricated aluminum boxes, designed with service access and (outdoors) drainage weep holes.

How does cabinet depth affect module choice?

Deeper cabinets give wide-beam modules room to spread, allowing wider row spacing; shallow cabinets need tighter spacing or Midi Edge-lit perimeter lighting to stay even.

Which face materials work with LED lighting?

Acrylic (standard), polycarbonate (impact resistance), and flexible face (large formats). Diffusion level should hide module rows at your spacing without cutting output more than necessary.

Where does the Linera profile fit in?

Linera (2025) handles border, contour, and architectural accent lighting around and beyond the cabinet itself: 24V, 7W per meter, IP67, CE and UL certified, six colors, 5-year warranty.

9. Warranty & Support

What warranties cover the cabinet system?

Modules: Midi 4 — 5 years; Midi 3 and Midi Edge-lit — 7 years. Supplies: 5 years, or 7 years on the 60W PFC models. Linera profile: 5 years. All per official TMT documentation.

Are the specs on this site verified?

Yes — specifications cite official TMT LEDs USA datasheets, and any value pending confirmation (such as Midi 4 updated lumens) is flagged on its page. See the Source Policy.

Where can I get layout help for a specific cabinet?

Use the ROI Calculator for module and supply counts, or contact the LED Knowledge Center team via the Contact page.

Is there a downloadable spec sheet?

Yes — confirmed module and power supply specifications are available as CSV downloads linked from the respective overview pages.

This page currently publishes 36 verified questions. The remaining questions from the 80+ set are pending export from the source React component.