DiyLightAnimation

Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: dpitts on December 30, 2012,

Title: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 30, 2012,
Made with WS2811 strip. I am planning on making 10 - 20 of these for the yard.

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-XJXbbAWAw&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: SteveMaris on December 30, 2012,
Very cool. I was planning something similar with dumb strips. Was thinking 24 channels with a Ray Wu controller.
10 - 20?! Good Lord! <fp.
 2 for me...
What did you use in the center for the legs?
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 30, 2012,
3" PVC coupler. Why not use a smart strip?. Something tells me yours will be much bigger than mine.

Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: SteveMaris on December 30, 2012,
3" coupler, great idea.
 I was planning on taking the lights off my spinners I have now, and replacing them with dumb strips.
 So yes, they are about 5 ft tall.  8)
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: taybrynn on December 30, 2012,
I love this idea.  My spinners with conventional mini lights are always dieing on me, so this would make all the sense in the world.   I need to visit you David and see what you have done in person, its very impressive.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: hicksjo on December 30, 2012,
Is it actually going to spin, or is the light animation oing to give appearance of spinning.?
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: SteveMaris on December 30, 2012,
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Is it actually going to spin, or is the light animation oing to give appearance of spinning.?
It is spinning in the video above. Or was that just my head?
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: Jeffl on December 30, 2012,
Any change we could get a picture of the back?  It will be much easier to steal your idea then. :)
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: chrisatpsu on December 30, 2012,
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Any change we could get a picture of the back?  I will be much easier to steal you idea then. :)

At least he's honest!
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 30, 2012,
That's the beauty of smart strips there is nothing in the back. I also purposely did not run wire in the pipe, seemed like too much work with little gain.. I did zip tie wire to the back. I stole design from some else :)
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rrowan on December 30, 2012,
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That's the beauty of smart strips there is nothing in the back. I also purposely did not run wire in the pipe, seemed like too much work with little gain.. I did zip tie wire to the back. I stole design from some else :)

I think he wanted to see the back of it for the pvc construction not the lights

Rick R.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: SteveMaris on December 30, 2012,


"I think he wanted to see the back of it for the pvc construction not the lights

Rick R."



Yup. me too. I am dumb as a rock, but I copy others well.  >:D
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 30, 2012,
Here is a shot of the back. It was made with WS2811 strip that had 10 chips per meter (3 led resolution). I think the spinners for 2013 will be made with either 2811 30 chips per meter, TM1809, or TM1812 strips to give single pixel resolution. Then I could do radiating out pattens as well.

It would be great to have a Nutcracker model for spinners with effects specifically designed for them. But I am happy with Nutcracker just the way it is too.

Title: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rm357 on December 30, 2012,
Now  all you need is to add a fog machine to the middle...

I'm kidding...    at least I think I am...

Nice construction with the threaded pieces. I might have to borrow that idea as well...

Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: Jeffl on December 30, 2012,
Sure looks easier than welding like I have been doing.  And yes I honestly plan on borrowing the idea.
Title: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rm357 on December 30, 2012,
For nutcracker, think of it as a flattened mega tree viewed from the top.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: Jeffl on December 30, 2012,
Brilliant idea!
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 30, 2012,
I borrowed idea from Matt Edwards our fellow decorator from down under.
Title: Re: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 30, 2012,
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For nutcracker, think of it as a flattened mega tree viewed from the top.

I agree. But it would be nice to see gif that is flattened. Plus there are a number of effects that are unique to spinners.

Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: SteveMaris on December 30, 2012,
That is a great way to build it. Thank you for sharing.  8)
Title: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: sebjsan on December 30, 2012,
What a great idea. These can be used on the roof opposed to stars or snowflakes. Hmm and I thought I had 2013 figured out.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: taybrynn on December 30, 2012,
Did you have to cut or de-solder the strips to get those smaller lengths ?
Title: Re: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 30, 2012,
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Did you have to cut or de-solder the strips to get those smaller lengths ?

I cut them.

Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: Ron on December 31, 2012,
Is that all controlled from a single controller?  Did you just add some longer jumper wire between the sections to make it all one big chain?  I've not seen strip and square modules combined to be controlled by one controller, but that is a cool thought.

Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: chrisatpsu on December 31, 2012,
in the picture, the wire runs on the floor to a pvc tube painted black.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: Ron on December 31, 2012,
That's what I thought I saw in the background.

Also, what are your dimensions for this, length of each arm, I mean?

Thanks.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 31, 2012,
Chris is right, it is a single controller. I programmed the controller to strips. Then I just switch the channels in software for squares in the center.

The length of each arm is 10.5" from center coupler to end of arm. Coupler is 3" with a little less than 4" OD.

I might be making four bigger ones for inside my window frames. They will be about 4 feet in diameter. I will use a 4" coupler cut in half to reduce thickness and be able to make two spinners from one coupler. I will use 10 arms. Each arm will have 16 leds using TM1812 for a total of 160 pixels.
Title: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rm357 on December 31, 2012,
If using the smartstring strips, You should take a close look at the instructions for cutting the strips in the wiki before figuring how long the strips need to be...
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on December 31, 2012,
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If using the smartstring strips, You should take a close look at the instructions for cutting the strips in the wiki before figuring how long the strips need to be...

The video in wiki about cutting flex strips may be stale. I chatted with Ray a few months ago and he stated the circuit board for strips we buy has been modified and now can be cut every three leds.

But I am going to use TM1812 strips that can be cut every 4 leds. I have used at least 10 of these strips for my windows frames without a problem.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: wwwgator on December 31, 2012,
I made mine a little bigger.....final dimensions 11' tall by 7'wide
3 sections of dumb strips each arm

this video was made in oct runnning test patterns.....way cooler now with new sequencing...

http://vimeo.com/38752295

build notes and details in this thread

http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=8177.45

Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on January 01, 2013,
Here are some photos and small video of prototype 2.

12 leds per arm (TM1812)
11 squares for center
10 clear ornaments from Michaels each have 3 TM1804 nodes in them.

Video
http://youtu.be/YWZydQ5gIOI

Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: chrisatpsu on January 01, 2013,
I like this one even better!
Title: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: taybrynn on January 01, 2013,
Very nice !!!
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: mitch09 on January 01, 2013,
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Here are some photos and small video of prototype 2.

12 leds per arm (TM1812)
11 squares for center
10 clear ornaments from Michaels each have 3 TM1804 nodes in them.

Video
http://youtu.be/YWZydQ5gIOI

Is this all ran by one SSC? If so aren't you above the power limit for one controller? That is a lot of individual pixels.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: Jeffl on January 01, 2013,
Simply AMAZING!
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: SteveMaris on January 01, 2013,
Very very cool.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: travailen on January 01, 2013,
Great Design. Cool look.  Thanks for sharing. There will be some of those in my yard next year.

Rick S
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: smeighan on January 02, 2013,
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Here is a shot of the back. It was made with WS2811 strip that had 10 chips per meter (3 led resolution). I think the spinners for 2013 will be made with either 2811 30 chips per meter, TM1809, or TM1812 strips to give single pixel resolution. Then I could do radiating out pattens as well.

It would be great to have a Nutcracker model for spinners with effects specifically designed for them. But I am happy with Nutcracker just the way it is too.

I plan on supporting spinner sequences in 2013
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: bcstuff on January 02, 2013,
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I plan on supporting spinner sequences in 2013

2013 is going to be an Awesome year!
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: combustionmark on January 02, 2013,
I like it.

I have been working on something like this, 18 arms 5 foot each using pex. I have been having trouble with the arms bending down and kinking. I have strung cables from the tips of each arm, and this seams to be helping. Have to wait for warmer weather to know for sure.

Good Work.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rdebolt on January 03, 2013,
I only have 1 question before I.... Clear throat....borrow the idea.  <fp. How do they hold up in the wind? I have an exact place that I plan on using them, but they will see 50ph +winds coming straight from behind! That after up I will probably not be able to get to because of the snow or ice.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on January 03, 2013,
50 MPH is that all. I live on the Front Range plains, we get 80 MPH winds here.  :)

I think they would hold up fine. They are solid. The weakest link would be the ornaments. I am thinking of hot gluing them to pvc and then using a piece of heat shrink around the union. The amount of surface area is minimal. It not like a sheet of coro and plywood.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rdebolt on January 03, 2013,
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50 MPH is that all. I live on the Front Range plains, we get 80 MPH winds here.  :)


Did not mean that I had the highest wind around at all  ;), but they will be higher than my roof with no barrier protection at all so I was just wondering. I have stars up there now and have had no problems before, but these will have more surface area and will not be made of metal like my stars.

Thanks for the info!!
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rdebolt on January 03, 2013,
Dave, What size exactly is the center piece of yours? I assume it is a PVC cap.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on January 03, 2013,
The center is a 4" coupler ripped in half to reduce thickness. The arms are 1" longer than 12 LEDs on a strip. Sorry I am not home for exact measurements. I think the whole thing is about 4 foot diameter.



Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: dpitts on January 06, 2013,
Fellow member asked me for specifics about ornaments. Here is a picture of Michael's ornaments. They will be in stock July/August. I bought mine after Christmas 2011 they were 70% off.

Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rdebolt on January 06, 2013,
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Fellow member asked me for specifics about ornaments. Here is a picture of Michael's ornaments. They will be in stock July/August. I bought mine after Christmas 2011 they were 70% off.



Thanks for the picture!!!
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: IndianaChristmas on July 18, 2013,
The smaller initial spinner was run by one SSC. 
Is the bigger one also run by a single SSC?  To me it appears the node count exceeds the limits of an SSC.
Title: Re: 2013 Yard Spinner Prototype
Post by: rdebolt on July 19, 2013,
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The smaller initial spinner was run by one SSC. 
Is the bigger one also run by a single SSC?  To me it appears the node count exceeds the limits of an SSC.

Mine takes 2 SSCs. 1 for the arms and 1 for the center and outside.