Revised January 22, 2018
LX2350-4 Owner's Manual
www.electro-mech.com · 800.445.7846
Page 9
PLANNING YOUR SCOREBOARD INSTALLATION
A good plan is important to the success of any project, and installing a scoreboard is no
exception. An important first step in planning for your scoreboard is determining its
optimal location. Key factors here are visibility and accessibility.
By "accessibility" we mean the ease with which you can get people, equipment, cabling,
etc. to a scoreboard display during installation, as well as ease-of-access for future
service. For center-hung scoreboards, the best solution usually involves a hoist system
that raises and lowers the entire scoreboard assembly. Speak with your local sign
company or scoreboard sales rep for recommendations.
By "visibility" we mean the ease with which spectators, participants, and the scoreboard
operator can see the display. Because every sports facility is unique, there is no one-
size-fits-all way to describe the perfect scoreboard location. Obviously, a "center-hung"
scoreboard such as this one should be centered over the playing area. The height is
the main variable. We recommend at least 25 feet of clearance between the playing
surface and the bottom of the scoreboard assembly. Otherwise, the scoreboard could
interfere with gameplay – especially where volleyball is played.
Unless you've selected a very small scoreboard for a very large facility, viewing distance
is not usually an issue. The rule of thumb in the sign industry is that, for lighted
characters, every inch of height provides 50 feet of viewing distance. For comfort, and
because you also need to read the captions on a scoreboard, we prefer to recommend
25 feet of viewing distance per inch of digit height. Model LX2350-4 uses 12- and 9-
inch tall digits, meaning it can easily be seen from 225 feet. If your spectators need to
be several hundred feet or more from the scoreboard, your facility may require a larger
display.
For some indoor facilities, it is important to make sure people cannot – accidentally or
intentionally – interfere with the scoreboard or cables connected to it. This is rarely a
problem for center-hung scoreboards, although some facilities may include overhead
walkways that could bring people within reach. Such proximity can make it tempting for
fans to reach out and touch the scoreboard, snag a cable, drop a soda on it, or
otherwise make a nuisance of themselves. One solution would be to install a shield
above any scoreboard in this position.
If you are planning for the construction or renovation of a new facility, then you will likely
have more options for locating your scoreboard. In addition, you may be able choose
helpful positions for electrical outlets, plan for conduits, and control other details that will
make installation, operation, and service easier. Your scoreboard sales rep should be
able to answer questions and offer advice that will help you with these plans.
If you are adding this scoreboard to an existing facility, your options may be more
limited. In some cases, we can modify the scoreboard to meet special needs. An
example of this would be accommodating power entry through the back of the cabinet