LED light tubes, light boxes including LED light tubes and methods for installation of LED light tubes in light boxes

A method for installing at least one light emitting diode light tube having rotatable end cap assemblies on either end thereof in an LED-ready sign assembly, comprising;

• (a) providing a sign assembly having at least one translucent plate, a frame structure securing a perimeter of the at least one translucent side plate, the frame structure having an interior surface having at least two opposite sides spaced from each other, at least two electrical sockets, each for receiving connectors on the ends of at least one light emitting diode light tube, and wiring for connecting the electrical sockets to an electrical source;
• (b) providing at least one light emitting diode light tube having a tube portion with a longitudinally extending tube axis and a first end and a second end, the at least one light emitting diode light tube having an end cap assembly axially fixed to each of the first and the second ends of the tube portion, wherein the end cap assembly has an electrical connector extending from one end thereof and a portion of the end cap assemblies having the electrical connectors extending therefrom is rotatable about the tube axis relative to the tube portion;
• (c) opening the sign assembly so as to access the electrical sockets;
• (d) rotating the rotatable portion of the end cap assemblies on the first and the second ends relative to the tube portion;
• and
• (e) installing the at least one light emitting diode light tube such that each of the electrical connectors on each of the first and second ends of the tube portion are positioned in electrical communication with the electrical sockets to form a light emitting diode light tube sign assembly.

A method for retrofitting at least one light emitting diode (LED) light tube in a sign assembly comprising at least one fluorescent light tube, comprising:

• (a) providing a sign assembly having at least one fluorescent light tube having a connector on each end, at least one translucent plate, a frame structure securing a perimeter of the at least one translucent side plate, the frame structure having an interior surface having at least two opposite sides spaced from each other, at least two electrical sockets, each for receiving one of the connectors on the ends of the at least one fluorescent light tube, and wiring for connecting the electrical sockets through a ballast and to an electrical source;
• (b) opening the sign assembly so as to access the at least one fluorescent light tube and to the ballast;
• (c) disconnecting wiring extending between the electrical sockets on either side of the fluorescent tubes and the ballast to create disconnected ends on wires extending from the electrical sockets;
• (d) connecting the disconnected ends to create an electrical bypass around the ballast;
• (e) removing the at least one fluorescent tube;
• and
• (f) providing at least one LED tube having a tube portion defined by an elongated longitudinal axis, a series of individual LED's aligned in a spaced relationship along the tube portion, the series of LED's in electrical communication with each other and two tube ends, an end cap assembly positioned at each of the tube ends, each end cap assembly having first portion that is axially fastened to the end of the tube and a second portion that is axially fixed to the first portion while the second portion is rotationable relative to the first portion about the axis of the tube portion, the first and second portions having engaging portions for controlled rotation of the relative rotational movement of the first and second portions and a stop feature to limit the amount of relative rotation of the first and second portions, and electrical connectors projecting outwardly from the second portion along the axis of the tube, the electrical connectors electrically connected to the series of LEDs through a central opening within the end cap assembly;
• (g) installing at least one LED light tube by connecting the electrical connectors on each end thereof within one of the electrical sockets within the sign assembly to form a retrofit sign assembly, and
• (h) rotating the tube portion of the at least one LED light tube about its longitudinal axis relative to the second portion of each of the end cap assemblies so that the aligned series of LED's directs light in a desired direction within the retrofit sign assembly.