Lighting device with battery backup

A control circuitry included in a lighting device controller, the lighting device controller receiving a higher voltage, alternating current (AC) power signal and providing a low voltage, low power signal to illuminate a lighted sign, the lighting device controller coupled to the lighted sign, the control circuitry comprising:

• switch position logic for determining whether a switch is set to an AC only position or a battery backup position, the switch coupled to the control circuitry;
• power detecting logic for detecting whether AC power is received at the lighting device controller, the power detecting logic coupled to a power supply, the power supply transforming the higher voltage, AC power signal into the low voltage, low power signal and transmitting the low voltage, low power signal to the control circuitry;
• battery charging circuitry for generating and transmitting a charging power signal to a battery, the battery charging circuitry coupled to the battery, the battery charging circuitry further detecting whether the battery is charging;
• and
• battery control circuitry for generating and transmitting a battery control signal to the battery, wherein:
• the control circuitry transmits the low voltage, low power signal from the power supply to the lighted sign when the power detecting logic detects AC power is received at the power supply;
• and
• the battery charging circuitry transmits no charging power signal to the battery when the switch position logic determines the switch is set to the AC only position.

A method within a lighting device controller for providing a backup power source for illuminating a lighted sign coupled to the lighting device controller, the lighting device controller receiving a higher voltage, alternating current (AC) power signal and providing a low voltage, low power signal to the lighted sign, the method comprising:

• transforming the higher voltage, AC power signal into the low voltage, low power signal, using a power supply included within the lighting device controller;
• determining whether a switch included within the lighting device controller is set to a battery backup position or an AC only position, wherein:
• when it is determined that the switch is set to the battery backup position, charging a battery included in the lighting device controller using a charging power signal;
• and
• when it is determined that the switch is set to the AC only position, preventing charging of the battery;
• and
• transmitting the low voltage, low power signal to the lighted sign from the power supply when control circuitry detects that AC power is received at the power supply.