Greetings list members, In our collection we have a sculpture that incorporates neon tubing, and I am wondering if it should be kept illuminated 24 hours a day or turned off at night. I did some research on the Internet, and neon sign collectors often have the belief that the lights should never be turned off because they last longer if they are constantly lit. This is related, in part, to the idea that the transformers and switches wear out if the devices are turned on and off frequently, as well as the idea that neon tubes can take 24+ hours to fully light up. Do you all agree that they should be kept on all of the time? Apart from the obvious requirement to protect the glass from being broken, are there any special things to consider when caring for and displaying neon lighting? I looked in WorldCat, and there do not seem to be any museum-related books entirely about neon sculptures and signs. That said, I suspect that there is published advice on this topic because many art and historical collections include neon. If anyone can point me toward such writings, it would be most appreciated. All the best, Travis -- -------------------------------------- Travis Nygard [log in to unmask] www.travisnygard.com ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).