GE Tetra miniMAX MS GEMS71-1 User manual

Installation Guide
SIGN175 | GE2024-1638
Tetra®miniMAX MS
LED Lighting System
GEMS71-1, GEMS50-1, GEMS41-1, GEMS32-1,
GEMSRD-1, GEMSBL-1, GEMSGL-1
RETROFIT SIGN CONVERSION LED KIT FOR USE ONLY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH KIT INSTRUCTIONS.
KIT IS COMPLETE ONLY WHEN ALL PARTS REQUIRED BY
THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE PRESENT.
TROUSSE DE CONVERSION À DEL POUR LA
MODERNISATION DES ENSEIGNES
À UTILISER CONFORMÉMENT AU GUIDE D’INSTALLATION.
Save These Instructions
Use only in the manner intended by the manufacturer. If you
have any questions, contact the manufacturer.
12
Volt
For the latest North American install guides for your product go to: https://products.gecurrent.com/led-signage-lighting
For the latest European install guides for your product go to: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
BG Българската версия на инструкциите за инсталаця
и информация за безопасност могат да бъдат
намерени на следния адрес: https://products.
gecurrent.com/eu
CS Návod k montáží a bezpečnostní informace v češtině
najdete zde: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
DA Den danske version af installationsvejledningen
og sikkerhedsoplysninger kan findes på følgende
placering: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
DE Die deutsche Version der Installationsanleitung und
Sicherheitsinformationen finden Sie in folgendem
Verzeic: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
EL Μπορείτε να βρείτε την ελληνική εκδχή των οδηγιών
νγκατάστασης και των πληροφοριών ασφάλειας στην
εξής τοποθεσία: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
ES La versión española de las instrucciones de instalación
y la información sobre seguridad puede encontrarse
en la siguiente ubicación: https://products.gecurrent.
com/eu
ET Eestikeelse paigaldusjuhendi ja ohutusnñuded leiate
aadressilt: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
FI Asennusohjeiden ja turvallisuustietojen
suomenkielinen versio löytyy seuraavasta paikasta:
https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
FR La version française des instructions d’installations
et information de sécurité est disponible à l’adresse
suivante: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
HR Hrvatska verzija priručnika za ugradnju i sigurnosnih
informacija nalazi se na sljedečoj lokaciji: https://
products.gecurrent.com/eu
HU A telepítési útmutató és a biztnosági információk
magyar nyelvű változata az alábbi címen található:
https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
IT La versione italiana del manuale di installazione e
sicurezza può essere reperita nella seguente sezione:
https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
LT Lietuvišką diegimo instrukcijos ir saugos informacijos
versiją galima rasti šioje vietoje: https://products.
gecurrent.com/eu
LV Uzstādīšanas instrukciju un drošības informāciju
latviešu valodā var atrast šeit: https://products.
gecurrent.com/eu
NL De Nederlandse versie van de installatie-instructies
en veiligheidsinformatie kan op de volgende locatie
worden gevonden: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
PL Polską wersję instrukcji instalacji oraz informacje
dotyczące bezpieczeństwa można znaleźć w
następującej lokalizacji: https://products.gecurrent.
com/eu
PT A versão em Português das instruções de instalação e
das informações de segurança pode ser encontrada
na seguinte localização: https://products.gecurrent.
com/eu
RO Versiunea în limba română a instrucţiunilor de
instalare şi a informaţiilor de siguranţă pot fi găsite la:
https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
SV Ni hittar den svenska versionen av
installationsanvisningarna och säkerhetsinformationen
på följande plats: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
SL Previdnostna opozorila in varnostne informacije so na
zadnji strani vodnika za namestitev. Pred začetkom
namestitve izdelka jih skrbno preberite: https://
products.gecurrent.com/eu
SK Slovenskú verziu montažnej príručky a
bezpečnostnŷch instrukcií nájdete na nasledujúcej
lokalite: https://products.gecurrent.com/eu
EN
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Read these instructions completely and carefully.
Prepare Electrical Wiring
Electrical Requirements
• Limited to use in dry and damp locations. The suitability of rain
enclosures shall be determined if intended for wet location.
• The grounding and bonding of the LED Driver shall be done in
accordance with National Electric Code (NEC) Article 600.
• Follow all National Electric Codes (NEC) and local codes.
• These products are only suitable for connection to a circuit from
a Class 2 power source.
• These products have not been evaluated for use when
connected to a power source that does not comply with Class 2
voltage and energy limited supplies.
FOR UL ONLY

Tetra®miniMAX MS Installation Guide
2
This product is intended solely for the use of non-residential signage lighting and is not intended for use in any other applications.
IP66 rated: separate enclosure required for outdoor use, UL damp location rated.
Conforms to the following standards:
WARNING / AVERTISSEMENT
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
∙Turn power o before inspection, installation or removal.
∙Properly ground power supply enclosure.
RISK OF FIRE
∙Use only suitably approved wire for input/output connections.
Minimum size 18 AWG (0.82mm2)
∙Follow all local codes.
∙Not to be submerged or used in a marine environment.
RISQUES DE DÉCHARGES ÉLECTRIQUES
∙Coupez l’alimentation avant l’inspection, l’installation ou le déplacement.
∙Assurez-vous de correctement mettre à terre l’alimentation électrique.
RISQUES D’INCENDIE
∙N’utilisez que des ls approuvés par UL pour les entrées/sorties de
connexion. Taille minimum 18 AWG (0.82mm2)
∙Respectez tous les codes locaux.
∙Ne pas submerger ou installer dans un environnement marin.
UL WARNING/AVERTISSEMENT UL
RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK
∙LED Retrot Kit installation requires knowledge of
sign electrical systems. If not qualied, do not attempt
installation. Contact a qualied electrician.
∙Install this kit only in host signs that have been identied in
the installation instructions and where the input rating of the
retrot kit does not exceed the input rating of the sign.
∙Installation of this LED retrot kit may involve drilling or
punching of holes into the structure of the sign. Check
for enclosed wiring and components to avoid damage to
wiring and electrical parts.
∙Do not make or alter any open holes in an enclosure of
wiring or electrical components during kit installation.
RISQUE D’INCENDIE OU DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
∙L’installation de l’équipement de remplacement DEL exige Ia connaissance des
systèmes électriques pour enseignes. Si non qualié, ne tentez pas d’installation.
Veuillez contacter un électricien qualié.
∙Risque d’incendie ou de choc électrique. Installez cet ensemble seulement dans des
enseignes hôtes qui ont été identiés dans les instructions d’installation et dont la
capacité d’entrée de l’ensemble ne dépasse pas la capacité d’entrée de l’enseigne.
∙L’installation de cet équipement de remplacement DEL peut impliquer le perçage ou le
poinçonnage de trous dans la structure du panneau Vériez le câblage et les composants
inclus pour éviter d’endommager le câblage et les composants électriques.
∙Ne pas faire ou modier les trous ouverts dans une enceinte de câblage ou de
composants électriques pendant l’installation de cet équipement de remplacement
DEL.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.
This Class [A] RFLD complies with the Canadian standard ICES-005. Ce DEFR de la classe [A] est conforme à la NMB-005 du Canada.

Tetra®miniMAX MS Installation Guide
3
Measure and cut Tetra LED
strip to the appropriate
length for each letter. Cuts
can be made between any of
the modules.
Remove tape backing and
stick LED modules into place.
Continue until you have
reached the end of the strip.
Use rivets, screws, or silicone
to secure at least every
fth LED module within the
channel letter. Use #6 (M3)
or #8 (M4) pan headed metal
screws, 1/8-inch (3.2 mm)
rivets, or silicone.
Clean & remove all debris
from the inside of the
channel letter before you
begin.
UL approved 18 AWG (0.82 mm2) supply wire
UL approved 22-14 AWG (0.33-2.08 mm2) wire
connectors or 22-18 AWG (0.33-0.82 mm2)
in-line/IDC connectors
#6 or #8 (M3 or M4) screws, 1/8 inch (3.2
mm) rivets, or electronic grade silicone or
equivalent
Tetra® 12 Volt Power Supply
Tetra®miniMAX MS LED modules
Components
Layout Modules
Drill a 1/4-inch (6.4 mm)
hole near the LED strip and
grommet the hole for supply
wire access.
Clean and remove all debris
from the inside of the channel
letter. Replace sign face.
NOTE: For halo-lit applications LED modules should be mounted on
UL recognized clear acrylic or polycarbonate. The light output from
the LED system should be directed back into the sign enclosure. This
will allow for uniform backlighting of the sign and will provide simple
mounting and protection against moisture.
TCMeasure Point
1
4
2
5
3
6
1
12
2
3
3
4
4
5
5

Tetra®miniMAX MS Installation Guide
4
To power
supply
Red (+)
Black or blue (-)
Red Stripe (+)White (-)
Cap wires
Connect LED strips using in-line (IDC)
connectors or twist-on wire connectors.
Must cap all exposed wires with appropriate
wire connectors or electrical grade silicone or
equivalent.
Run a wire from the Power Supply to each
channel letter and connect to the rst LED
module on the strip.
Must be used with Tetra®12 Volt Power
Supplies.
Connect the red stripe wire (+) of the LED strip
to the red wire (+) of the power supply. Connect
the white wire (-) of the LED strip to the black or
blue wire (-) of the power supply.
NOTE: All electrical connections should be
made within the letter.
Power
Supply
To Tetra LED System
Red (+)
Black or blue (-)
Red stripe (+)
White (-)
Electrical Connections
1
3
2
4
1. (Existing Signs Only) Prior to installation, survey the site for information regarding power and accessibility inside and outside the building. Ensure
that the branch circuit supplying the existing transformer or ballast will be within the voltage ratings of the new LED power supply, and have a current
rating not exceeding 20A, or that permitted by applicable local, state, or country electrical codes (whichever is less).
2. (Existing Signs Only) Remove the existing lighting equipment to be replaced, such as neon tubing or uorescent tubes; and associated
transformers and ballasts. Care should be taken not to break the existing neon or uorescent tubes.
NOTE: Follow all federal and local regulations when disposing of neon tubing, uorescent tubes, transformers and ballasts.
3. (Existing Signs Only) If removal of the existing lighting equipment eliminates the disconnect switch, as required by applicable local, state, or
country electrical codes; a new disconnect switch must be installed.
4. (Existing Signs Only) Repair and seal any unused openings in the electrical enclosure. Openings greater than 12.7-mm (1/2-in) diameter require a
metal patch secured by screws or rivets and caulked with non-hardening caulk. Smaller openings may be sealed with non-hardening caulk.
5. (Existing Signs Only) A clean and dry mounting surface ensures optimum adhesion if the self-adhesive method of mounting is chosen. Follow
the manufacturer’s directions when using a non-oil based solvent, such as rubbing alcohol to clean the surface area where you intend to mount the
module. Before installing, ensure the surface is dry.
6. Using the layout guidelines above, determine required number of LED modules required to illuminate the sign.
7. A Tetra® 12VDC Class 2 Power Supply, as listed below, must be used with this retrot kit. Using the Maximum Loading chart below, determine the
number of Tetra®Class 2 Power Supplies required to power the number of LED modules required to illuminate the sign, so as not to overload the
Tetra®Class 2 Power Supply chosen.
8. Follow the instructions above to properly mount the LED modules.
9. Connect the DC output of the power supply to the LED modules using the Electrical Connections instructions above.
10. Connect the power unit to the supply in accordance with the applicable local, state, and country electrical codes, and the instructions found in the
power supply installation guide.
11. If required, the disconnect switch shall be installed by qualied personnel, in accordance with applicable local, state, and country electrical codes.
FOR UL ONLY
Retrot Instructions

Tetra®miniMAX MS Installation Guide
www.gecurrent.com
© 2021 Current Lighting Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved. GE and the GE monogram are trademarks of the
General Electric Company and are used under license. Information provided is subject to change without
notice. All values are design or typical values when measured under laboratory conditions.
SIGN175 (Rev 02/09/21) GE2024-1638
Tips
• Tetra®LED systems are rated for damp location use by UL, and should be protected from direct exposure to moisture (i.e., rain & snow).
• For optimal light uniformity in halo-lit applications the Tetra®LED modules should be mounted on UL recognized plastic and the light output
from the Tetra® LED system should be directed back into the sign enclosure. This will allow for uniform backlighting of the sign and will
provide simple mounting for the Tetra®LED system.
• When mounting LED modules for halo-lit applications the clear acrylic should be recessed into the body of the sign or a bead of silicone
should be applied to provide a barrier against the elements.
• A best practice for the supply wire at the point at which it is brought into the sign is to have a drip loop on the inside of the letter to keep
water from collecting on the Tetra®LED strip.
Maximum Loading per Tetra 12 VDC Power Supply
Maximum Remote Mounting Distance
SKU Rating
20W Power Supply
Note: Load shall not exceed
1.6A
60W Power Supply
Note: Load shall not exceed 5A
180W Power Supply
Note: Load shall not exceed
5A per each (of 3) output channels
GEMS71-1, GEMS50-1,
GEMS41-1, GEMS32-1,
GEMSRD-1, GEMSBL-1
12VDC, 32mA/module
0.384W/module 50 modules/20 ft. (6.10 m) 150 modules/60 ft. (18.29 m)
150 modules/60 ft. (18.29 m)
per output channel
450 modules/180 ft. (54.88 m)
per power supply
GEMSGL-1 12VDC, 26mA/module
0.312W/module
18 AWG/0.82 mm2
Supply Wire 16 AWG/1.31 mm2 Supply Wire 14 AWG/2.08 mm2 Supply Wire 12 AWG/3.31 mm2 Supply Wire
20W Power Supply 120 ft./36.6 m - - -
60W Power Supply 30 ft./9.1 m 50 ft./15.2 m 80 ft./24.4 m 120 ft./36.6 m
180W Power Supply 30 ft./9.1 m 50 ft./15.2 m 80 ft./24.4 m 120 ft./36.6 m
NOTE: For linear runs longer than 40ft, center connection to the LED strip is recommended to minimize voltage drop.
Troubleshooting
Symptom Solution
All letters are OFF • Check AC input connection and/or check circuit breaker.
• Check wire connection(s) at the Tetra® LED System and power supply for improper termination(s) or short
circuits. Properly terminate or replace the wire connection(s).
• Check that connections are the red striped wire (+) of the LED strip to the red wire (+) of the power supply and the
white wire (-) of the LED strip to the black or blue wire (-) of the power supply.
Some LEDs
appear dim
• Ensure the overall length of the Tetra® LED System does not exceed the maximum load.
• Ensure the length of supply wire is equal to or below the recommended remote mounting distance.
Some of the letters
are not illuminated
• Check wire connection(s) at the Tetra® LED System and power supply for improper termination(s) or short
circuits. Properly terminate or replace the wire connection(s).
• Check that connections are the red striped wire (+) of the LED strip to the red wire (+) of the power supply and
the white wire (-) of the LED strip to the black or blue wire (-) of the power supply.
Shadows • Re-route supply wire and secure to the back of the can with silicone. Adjust wire connector orientation so that it
does not cover any LEDs.
• Adjust LED layout to ensure uniformity of illumination on the face of the letter.