For work that moves frequently, a folding screen mounted on the work vehicle is a practical option. Unfold it on arrival to display speed limits or roadwork warnings, then fold it down when the job is done and drive to the next site.
For continuous display at one location, a solar VMS trailer can stay on site. Once the trailer is parked and stabilised, raise the screen. The supplied battery powers the screen, while the solar panels charge the battery. The towing vehicle can leave while the screen keeps running.
Both types can be used on the same project. The vehicle screen travels with the maintenance crew, while the trailer screen stays where approaching drivers need ongoing warnings. Their positions should follow the traffic management plan for the site.
TOPVIEW Foldable Vehicle Mounted VMS Signs commonly use a P10 full-colour screen to display speed limits and other roadwork warnings.
| Item | Common configuration |
|---|---|
| Overall screen dimensions including frame | 1370 × 730 mm |
| Display area dimensions | 1280 × 640 mm |
| Resolution | 128 × 64 pixels |
| Pixel pitch and colour | P10, full colour |
| Brightness | 5,000 cd/m² |
| Thickness when folded | Approx. 250 mm |
| Folding operation time | Approx. 20 seconds |
| Power supply | Vehicle power, 12–24 V; confirmed for the vehicle model |
| Mounting | Base with pre-drilled fixing holes |
| Unfolding and folding | Electrically controlled hydraulic extension mechanism |
Before installation, check the mounting position and fixing holes on the vehicle, and allow enough clearance for the screen to unfold. The power connection and wiring arrangement are confirmed for the vehicle model, so the site team can install and wire the unit according to the drawings.The vehicle-mounted VMS uses rubber power cables with ring terminals to help prevent loose connections caused by vibration.
| Item | Common configuration |
|---|---|
| Screen dimensions | 2600 × 1800 mm |
| Display area | 4.68 m² |
| Pixel pitch and colour | P25, full colour |
| Resolution | 104 × 72 pixels |
| Module dimensions | 200 × 200 mm |
| Resolution per module | 8 × 8 pixels |
| Module layout | 13 across × 9 high; 117 modules in total |
| Power per module | 3.5 W |
| Total screen power | No more than 450 W, including power supplies and control system |
| Brightness | Up to 8,000 cd/m² |
| Common display content | SLOW DOWN, speed limit signs and similar messages |
| Continuous runtime | Energy required by the screen |
|---|---|
| 12 hours | 5.4 kWh |
| 24 hours | 10.8 kWh |
| 48 hours | 21.6 kWh |
As the table shows, 48 hours of continuous operation uses 21.6 kWh. The battery needs more capacity than this to allow for a remaining charge reserve and losses in the power supply system.
Allowing for a 20% charge reserve and 90% power supply efficiency gives a required nominal battery capacity of about 30 kWh.
The 30 kWh figure applies to these assumptions. When choosing the battery, also allow for low temperatures, capacity loss as the battery ages, and power used by the lifting mechanism. Once the system is assembled, check its runtime using the customer’s actual display content.
Charging time depends on how much charge remains and how much power the charger can deliver.
For a 30 kWh battery, charging from 20% to 100% means adding about 24 kWh. With the screen switched off and a constant 2.5 kW actually reaching the battery, the calculated charging time is about 9.6 hours.
Charging is not equally fast throughout the cycle. It usually slows as the battery approaches full charge, so the actual time will be longer. Running the screen while charging also takes power and extends the charging time. The charger needs to be selected with the battery; battery capacity alone does not tell you how many hours a full charge will take.
To replace the 10.8 kWh used by the screen each day, the required solar panel capacity depends on local sunlight and real-world system losses.
Assume local sunlight is equivalent to four hours of full-power solar output per day. Allowing for temperature, charging and other losses, an overall system efficiency of 75% means a 3.6 kWp solar array can supply about 10.8 kWh per day.
3.6 kW × 4 hours × 75% = 10.8 kWh.
These four hours are equivalent full-power hours. They do not mean that any four hours of daylight will produce this much energy.
Under these conditions, daily solar generation roughly replaces the energy used by the screen that day. If the battery has already powered the screen for two days and you want to recharge it quickly while keeping the screen on, you will need more solar capacity or an external power source for additional charging.
Battery capacity determines how long the screen can run without solar input. Solar capacity and charger output determine how quickly that energy can be replaced. Both need to be calculated when specifying the system.
The system uses a NovaStar TB10 Plus controller and the ViPlex Handy mobile app. Common speed limit signs and messages such as SLOW DOWN can be prepared in advance and stored in the controller.
When work plans change, simply select the relevant saved content on your phone. There is no need to create it again each time.
| Control method | Operation |
|---|---|
| On-site WiFi control | Connect your phone to the device and use the app to select saved content or make changes. |
| Remote 4G control | Set up the network and remote access, then update content while the device is online. |
| Remote control buttons | Assign content to each button and press the relevant button to select it. |
Most customers choose WiFi for on-site operation. Optional 4G allows content updates from another region or country, provided the network and account are set up in advance and the device stays online.
Prepare content at the resolution of the selected screen. For the configurations listed above, use 128 × 64 pixels for the P10 folding vehicle screen and 104 × 72 pixels for the P25 trailer screen. Other sizes and pixel pitches require their own content dimensions.
You choose the speed limits, wording and graphics to suit the project requirements. We help load them into the system and show you how to use it.
For more on viewing distance, brightness and screen selection, see our VMS specification guide.
| Item | Completed before shipping | Required on arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Folding vehicle screen | Assemble the screen, check base fixing hole positions and test 30 folding cycles. | Mount the screen on the vehicle and connect the vehicle power supply. |
| Solar trailer screen | Assemble the complete unit as ordered and test 20 lifting or folding cycles. | Check for transport damage, park the trailer and stabilise it. |
| Content and control | Store the customer’s content and check playback and control functions. | Connect a phone and check content selection and updates. |
| Screen operation | Run a 48-hour powered test. | Put the screen into service according to the site plan. |
The 48 hours in the table refers to the powered screen test before shipping. Whether the battery alone can run the screen for 48 hours depends on its capacity, the content displayed and the actual operating conditions.
We provide installation and wiring documents, operating instructions and remote guidance. You can start with the stored content, then adjust it as the work schedule changes.
If a problem occurs, contact TOPVIEW with the equipment details and photos or videos from the site. We use these to identify whether the issue is with content settings, communication, the screen or other supplied components.
If content will not upload or your phone cannot connect to the device, we can first check the connection and settings remotely. If part of the screen goes dark or displays incorrectly, we check the modules, power supplies and signal connections in the affected area, then match the correct spare parts if a replacement is needed.
If the lifting or folding mechanism sticks, leaks oil or drops unexpectedly, stop operating it and contact us for inspection. Do not force it to keep moving.
The supplied battery, charger and hydraulic mechanism each come with instructions for use and maintenance. The order will state the warranty periods for the screen and other components, along with the conditions for repair or replacement. TOPVIEW remains your point of contact for all of them.
Will the screen travel with a work vehicle or stay at the roadside for continuous display? Send us the location, site or vehicle photos, the content you want to display, the viewing distance and daily operating hours. Let us know if you also need 48 hours of battery backup.
With these details, TOPVIEW will put together a VMS configuration suited to the site and list what is included in the supply and what needs to be done on site.
Contact TOPVIEW to discuss your roadwork VMS configuration.
