The biggest problem I see with this is the sheer amount of power it would take to illuminate the large panels to a reasonable level.
The 12V reflector bulbs used in modern home/shop downlighters are typically about 50 watts each. That means that each bulb will draw over 4 amps of current. (Two of these bulbs will draw almost as much power as a pair of car headlights -- I'm sure I don't need to tell you how quickly they can run down a battery!)
I think you'd need quite a few of these bulbs to get any sort of decent light on the signs.
Fluorescent lighting would be more efficient, but for panels this big I think it would get prohibitively expensive.
Just a thought, what about the rope lights that the "street cruisers" are fitting around the bottom of their cars these days?
I've never experimented with them, but maybe a couple fitted around the outside of panel might do the trick.
Does anyone have any experience of these?
