DiyLightAnimation

Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: Ron on December 25, 2012,

Title: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: Ron on December 25, 2012,: I'm trying to decide for next year whether to go with a full or half tree. Any videos of half trees you can share? I've seen a number of full trees.

Ron
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: hicksjo on December 26, 2012,: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=546o0dGxSfM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=546o0dGxSfM)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaWCdMfLsG0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaWCdMfLsG0)

Not the best video, but will give you an idea

Tree is 8 strands of 36 pixels each
10' tall
Pixel density not quite enough toward bottom ... Will add next year and go to either 12 or 16 strands
And probably go taller as well
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: einstein2883 on December 26, 2012,: Here is my house there is a few shots of the tree in it, 9 strings 30 nodes each. I liked how it came out but i think next year I will make it taller.
http://vimeo.com/56056434 (http://vimeo.com/56056434)
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: TexasStingray on December 26, 2012,: einstein2883

How tall is the tree and are these flex strips, strings?
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: einstein2883 on December 26, 2012,: I think the tree is 8-8.5ft (7.5ft lighted). I used pixels because they had bigger spaces between the nodes. I used 1/2in strapping that is doubled up and every 3in I hot glued it together. At the bottom I used a small bungee. The bungee helps put tension on the strapping and when I put a node in-between it gets pinched just enough that it does not move. By doing this I can adjust each pixel and if I had to I could still replace a node if one went bad. Here is a drawing of how it works. Enjoy
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: twooly on December 26, 2012,: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Here is my house there is a few shots of the tree in it, 9 strings 30 nodes each. I liked how it came out but i think next year I will make it taller.
http://vimeo.com/56056434 (http://vimeo.com/56056434)

Very nice think that would be the perfect size for my house.

Thank you for sharing.

--Todd
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: Night Owl on December 26, 2012,: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I think the tree is 8-8.5ft (7.5ft lighted). I used pixels because they had bigger spaces between the nodes. I used 1/2in strapping that is doubled up and every 3in I hot glued it together. At the bottom I used a small bungee. The bungee helps put tension on the strapping and when I put a node in-between it gets pinched just enough that it does not move. By doing this I can adjust each pixel and if I had to I could still replace a node if one went bad. Here is a drawing of how it works. Enjoy

Were you using this type of webbing?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Inch-25-YDS-Black-Polypro-Webbing-Strapping-buckl-/350628785344
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: dpitts on December 26, 2012,: Eddy has a great half tree made from 12 - WS2811 which can be made with DLA equipment using TM1809 strips.

http://vimeo.com/55705124#at=0
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: einstein2883 on December 26, 2012,: I got the strapping from a friend. It's white 3/4in and has "2500LB. MULETAPE BY NEPTCO" printed on it. When I make my tree bigger next year I will be looking for something that is black.
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: lonewolf41 on December 26, 2012,: I used 1/2 a tree this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUf6cOcPGI4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq1NpcOEQCk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqNdQ0cslbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p0SYQUsHHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnfeZ1owDqc

16 strings with 84 nodes each. About 14' at the base. Lights are about 22' tall. Star is around 25' high.

Thanks,
-Keith
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: sebjsan on December 26, 2012,: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I used 1/2 a tree this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUf6cOcPGI4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq1NpcOEQCk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqNdQ0cslbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p0SYQUsHHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnfeZ1owDqc

16 strings with 84 nodes each. About 14' at the base. Lights are about 22' tall. Star is around 25' high.

Thanks,
-Keith

Do you have daytime video of your tree? I want see the set up:)
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: Mickpat on December 27, 2012,: I am running a flat tree using 11 flex strips. The following is a video of my show from this year. The strips are longer than I need, but I don't want to cut them so the extra just sits on the roof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaDFHEhVlYI
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: JonB256 on December 27, 2012,: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I used 1/2in strapping that is doubled up and every 3in I hot glued it together.

How easy / hard would it be to sew that dotted line instead of using hot glue? Have any spots popped apart?
Do you think a normal sewing machine could get thru the webbing?
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: einstein2883 on December 27, 2012,: My original plan was to sew it. Thatâ€™s why the picture had the dotted lines. I donâ€™t sew so Iâ€™m not sure about what it would take. I would guess that if you can sew jeans then it should work just fine. I did have 5-6 come apart but more glue and a clamp fixed that. I main reason I went with hot glue was that I was running out of time and need it done. With two people we got 9 strings done in about an hour.
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: Night Owl on December 27, 2012,: I did some searching and Muletape is used to pull cables through underground conduit. One of the sales sheets says that it is lightweight and is easily blown through conduit. So it sound like it is lighter/thinner than webbing straps I am normally used to. It also only comes in white. Polyester will not take a standard dye and from what I understand, it is very challenging to dye it. It is much stronger than regular webbing straps. I don't know if it is UV resistant since that is not listed in the specs. It is also a bit pricy since it only comes in large rolls. $329 for a 3000 ft roll and I can't seem to find a smaller roll.

I like your design and it looks like I'll have to use standard polypropylene web strap.

I have a question, if you had the option, would a thinner width have worked? Looking at Amazon, the bulk webbing comes in sizes ranging from 1/2" to 2".
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: einstein2883 on December 27, 2012,: I think 1/2in would be fine. I think the nodes could take up to an inch of strapping before it would start covering the led. The only problem I had with mine (which might be my strapping) was that sometimes the middle section of the strapping would twist 5-10degrees. But from a distance you canâ€™t really tell. My strapping is cloth-like and that might be why it twisted a bit. I think the polypropylene is a stiffer material and would work better.
Title: Re: Any Half Megatree Video?
Post by: lonewolf41 on December 29, 2012,: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I used 1/2 a tree this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUf6cOcPGI4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq1NpcOEQCk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqNdQ0cslbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p0SYQUsHHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnfeZ1owDqc

16 strings with 84 nodes each. About 14' at the base. Lights are about 22' tall. Star is around 25' high.

Thanks,
-Keith

Do you have daytime video of your tree? I want see the set up:)

I don't have any daytime videos yet (and everything is covered in snow now), but there is some information here:

http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=10792.msg143806#msg143806

Let me know if you want more.

Thanks,
-Keith