DiyLightAnimation
Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: duane.mosley on November 03, 2013,
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what is everyone's preference for a mega tree, nodes or strips? strips are of course more expensive but, easier to keep straight. nodes are cheaper and the spacing is farther apart. just curious as to whether the expensive of the strips, versus the expense of nodes is worth it. my guess is that you can probably do more with the strips as far as effects, and the clarity of the effects will be much more defined. opinions please?
thanks
duane
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I'm doing ss nodes and spacing vertical and horizontal are the same ... But as you said more work involved in mounting them .
I haven't seen how it's going to look yet.
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I prefer nodes because with strips your vertical density is much higher than your horizontal density.
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I prefer nodes because with strips your vertical density is much higher than your horizontal density.
so by doing nodes you can keep things more even? I am doing 3'' spacing. I started to sink my nodes into a 1/2'' emt pipe. that is what got me thinking about strips. Lol sure is a lot of work to sink the node in the pipe but man it looks good. how are you guys mounting your nodes to keep them straight and in tight form? here is a pic of the first of 20(maybe 32) bars I planned on using for my tree. my initial plan was 20 strings 50 nodes each. but i'm starting to lean towards making it 32 strings for tighter spacing.
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My preference for a mega tree is led strings. LOL. I have a 17ft mega tree using 64 strings of LEDs, but I wanted to play with the RGB effects so I built a 7ft pixel tree using 16 half strips in a 180 configuration. To upgrade my mega tree to RGB would cost too much and would look totally different than what I and my family prefer. This way I have the best of both worlds.
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I prefer nodes because with strips your vertical density is much higher than your horizontal density.
so by doing nodes you can keep things more even? I am doing 3'' spacing. I started to sink my nodes into a 1/2'' emt pipe. that is what got me thinking about strips. Lol sure is a lot of work to sink the node in the pipe but man it looks good. how are you guys mounting your nodes to keep them straight and in tight form? here is a pic of the first of 20(maybe 32) bars I planned on using for my tree. my initial plan was 20 strings 50 nodes each. but i'm starting to lean towards making it 32 strings for tighter spacing.
I am planning to go this method but I am concerned about UV on the wires. Do you guy's worry about this?
Thanks,
Rick
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A smart string megatree is a "definite maybe" for me this year. ;D
I asked Ray about a few custom things and one of which was a 15led/meter strip of 5050s on 2.5" centers. No such luck.
I tried quite a few things and this is the direction I am going if fate allows: 10' tree 180 degrees with 16 strands of 32 nodes 3.5" centers. 3" x 10' ABS ripped into 4 - 1.5" strips. Rear entry nodes hot glued in place. Still designing a topper... I really prefer the top a mega that goes to a nice point and many designs do not.
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3" x 10' ABS ripped into 4 - 1.5" strips.
what is ABS? i am seeking all possibilities of how to do it so i can avoid drilling 988 more holes into the emt! lol
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Here are some pictures of the process my Dad came up with to turn cheap 1/2" EMT conduit into something which can hold SS Nodes without any hardware ... and it holds them extremely tightly. He made a jig which you insert the conduit into, then you drill out the holes, then rip it down the middle of the holes. He also does debur the holes. These pieces of conduit serve as the basis for all my rooflines, matrix and the rgb 1/2 megatree. Spacing is 3" I believe on the megatree and rooflines. A smaller second jig was created to make the matrix conduit with smaller spacing.
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Here are some pictures of the process my Dad came up with to turn cheap 1/2" EMT conduit into something which can hold SS Nodes without any hardware ... and it holds them extremely tightly. He made a jig which you insert the conduit into, then you drill out the holes, then rip it down the middle of the holes. He also does debur the holes. These pieces of conduit serve as the basis for all my rooflines, matrix and the rgb 1/2 megatree. Spacing is 3" I believe on the megatree and rooflines. A smaller second jig was created to make the matrix conduit with smaller spacing.
Maybe its me but that looks like grey pvc and not EMT. Is the pipe plastic or metal?
Rick R.
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It's the non metallic stuff found in the electrical section at Home Depot
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Your right rick ... it's called 1/2" rigid grey PVC electrical conduit ... And has a build in coupler on one end. My Dad did make his own coupler using a larger diameter PVC which allows you to use scraps or add extensions.
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What did he use to cut the emt? I tried cutting some regular pvc like that and it it fractured and cracked so bad that I gave up.
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If you go into the plumming section, you will see the PVC pipe cutters (the ratcheting kind). They cut thru it like butter.
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Tell your dad he's pretty smart..
As a wood dorker I would love to see more of the jig? Like how does he keep the pvc from rotating when he runs it along the table saw? Looks like a normal 1/8" blade kerf down the holes. Perhaps the width of the dado is a bit tight and that holds the pvc firmly in place the whole time?
Then I assume you use normal pipe straps to hang it with or some other smart technique?
I'm rattling around a shelfpin type jib with the hardened steel guides and a pin to register it after the first hole is drilled to maintain spacing. Make a long one and two could be drilling at the same time.
Great stuff, keep it coming!
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http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipe-tubing-fittings/pipe/abs-pipes/schedule-40-cellular-core-abs-dwv-pipe-2x10/p-1729860-c-8562.htm (http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipe-tubing-fittings/pipe/abs-pipes/schedule-40-cellular-core-abs-dwv-pipe-2x10/p-1729860-c-8562.htm)
Oops, just realized I plan to use 2" not 3". Anyway, from my research, ABS is more durable especially in cold weather. My experiences with pvc in cold weather was not good. Electrical conduit is pvc with chemicals added to boost the strength and UV protection so it is the better choice over sch40 but no experiences for using it beyond its intend use. I like abs since it is already black and it is REAL FLEXIBLE and I think that is a good thing.
Absolutely agree that a jig is necessary and makes the job go fast. Primary reason I am using strips is so I can drill a clamped stack of 4-6 in one pass. I plan to make one accurate strip on a drill press and use it as a guide for the rest.
Let's talk toppers!
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I'm not sure how the PVC doesn't turn inside the jig. I think its quite tight fitting, meaning it just didn't turn on over 120 pieces cut. He might have a bolt that holds it in place (can't recall).
If you IM me I can get reply your detailed questions to my Dad .. he loves talking details and process.
To hang them, he used a clip which is basically larger sized pvc that tightly fits over the 1/2" pvc conduits. Those with a hole in them allows for direct mounting to the house, which I did not want (I have an HOA). So instead I asked him to devise me two types of clips -- so he came up with a shingle and gutter clip version, which both use the same clip used for the direct install.
I'll attach a few pictures of those things here.
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If they created a cheaper but less dense (bigger spacing) flex strip ... I think it could be ideal for doing megatrees. Even a 4" space would work ... then make it various (longer) lengths.
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I just love seeing jigs made up by folks.
What size drill bit did you use?
Was the slot cut by the table saw or router?
Thanks
Rick R.
Now only if I had that nice big space to work in.
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If they created a cheaper but less dense (bigger spacing) flex strip ... I think it could be ideal for doing megatrees. Even a 4" space would work ... then make it various (longer) lengths.
I agree. Scott, if you and I went together on an order of these we could have pulled off the volume to get them made... ;D I was hoping I could convince him just to populate every other led on a 30led/m strip and give me 15led/m...
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What did he use to cut the emt? I tried cutting some regular pvc like that and it it fractured and cracked so bad that I gave up.
you need a really fined tooth saw blade to cut pvc, or turn your blade backwards and it won't bite as hard.
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It's the non metallic stuff found in the electrical section at Home Depot
how tall is your mega tree? how do you keep the pvc from sagging in the middle?
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Its a 1/2 megatree, 16' tall (1' base + 15' tree on top of base).
Used table saw and dado blade to cut the conduit inside the jig.
See my facebook page photos section for more pics.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/RockinChristmas/232810682383?id=232810682383&sk=photos_stream (https://www.facebook.com/pages/RockinChristmas/232810682383?id=232810682383&sk=photos_stream)
The 1/2 rgb megatree has several supports (each 1/2 circle support is mounted (like a muffler clamp) on the pole) ... and those provide support for 47 vertical conduits going from base to top.
Each support has a pair of holes to attach wire to the conduit to strap it down with ... its cheap and easy. Could use zip ties also.
There are 48 verticals, installed as 24 pairs ... each pair uses 128 SS Nodes ... 64 on each vertical. Most of the tree will appear to have 3" space in both vertical and horiz ... but in truth its variable because of the tree shape.
The 1/2 megatree uses an innovative "tilt down" design. So when tilted down, conduit and topper are installed at a standing height. THen tree is tipped up (very easy for 2 small guys) and then secured to the base with wire again. THen guys are deployed (4 of them). The idea was its easy to install and service. Can even tilt back down if needed.
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that's pretty slick! might be using that design, I had thought of the half circles for support in a couple of spots but the hinged bottom is a whole new level! lol
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taybrynn,
Awesome Awesome design. Very well done
Just out of curiosity, where do you store something like that? (I'm guessing not in your garage/attic/backyard)
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THAT IS AWESOME!!! 8) 8) 8) The whole tree is very well designed and constructed.
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Thanks.
I wish I had taken more pictures of the parts before we assembled them -- We fit them all in his suburban (closed) and just strapped the pole to his rooftop rack.
Everything stacks, the pole and two big bases are fairly large and may need to be stored in my garage, but the rest will go in my crawlspace. I already store a spiral megatree in the garage, as its only 11' tall and lives on its side in a cart. When its time to install it, I pull our the base and install & level it ... then the spiral wheels out the garage and into the yard.
Then we pick it up and put it into the base.
I will store it all (disassembled) in my crawl space, which is about 4.5' tall and is 1000 sq. ft of concrete ... the pole will go in the garage.
The conduit(s) will store on the wall in a custom rack that my Dad is still working on. It took about an hour to assemble it, maybe a little
more because I taking pictures along the way.
What my Dad was fearing was how much the tree would slam down onto the base when we tilted it up. As it turned out, the weight of the pole
is so much more than the rest of it ... that when just my brother and I pushed it up ... it felt smooth as silt ... like it was on hydraulics almost.
So even lowering it the last inch was simple and smooth, not scary. No risk of slamming down onto our fingers or anything.
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Just wait until you get the weight of all the lights on it. Then watch out. Looks good so far.
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Yeah, I know its going to weigh a lot more! I know my Dad did the calculations on that also. I'm used to having 4-5 guys on the spiral tree and its 4800 lights and its 360 vs. this which is only 180.
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Just wait until you get the weight of all the lights on it. Then watch out. Looks good so far.
that's the one thing that makes me wonder about using pvc versus emt. the pvc is SOOOO much easier to drill and work with though!
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That tree is frikken awesome!!!!!! >.d9 cant wait to see a video!
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Just wait until you get the weight of all the lights on it. Then watch out. Looks good so far.
that's the one thing that makes me wonder about using pvc versus emt. the pvc is SOOOO much easier to drill and work with though!
But the pvc is only carrying one string of lights. It is the center pole that needs to be stronger, i.e., metal in my opinion.
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Thanks all for the comments.
(1) each of the 24 pairs of vertical conduits (15' +) is carrying the weight of (1) 128 node smart string ... not that much.
(2) the pole is a thicker steel, much stronger than anything I've used in the past ... in fact my Dad drove into Denver to buy a single piece that was extra strong ... think it was a 20' pole to start with, cut it down.
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Can we borrow your dad? We all need help like he gives.