The top photo shows a vintage animated Miller High Life neon beer sign. Before the 1990s, when companies—particularly breweries—commissioned animated neon signs, they were typically built with custom-engineered transformer assemblies designed specifically for the sign’s animation sequence.

 

The bottom photo shows the transformer housing with its cover removed. Inside are two tar-encapsulated transformer core-and-coil assemblies, one mounted at each end of the enclosure. Positioned between them is a mechanical flasher unit that controls the sign’s animation... illuminating neon sections in a sequence. The entire electrical system was integrated into a single, compact package, resulting in a clean and reliable design.

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We frequently receive calls from sign owners whose animated neon signs have stopped working due to a failed transformer, flasher, or both. Unfortunately, these transformer assemblies were not off-the-shelf products. They were custom-designed and manufactured specifically for each sign, making direct replacements difficult to find today.

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The good news is that we can help. We specialize in reproducing transformer systems and animation controls to get these classic signs operating again. In many cases, restoring an animated neon sign is well worth the investment, as vintage signs often have significant collectible and monetary value.

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Contact us to discuss your sign and learn what restoration options are available. As an added feature, we often design our replacement animation units with two selectable animation modes. One mode replicates the original factory animation sequence, while the second offers a custom-programmed display, allowing owners to enjoy both the authentic look and a unique alternative.