Multi Color Arches

[Bob Wingert]

This year I have 2 Blue arches, what I would like to do next year is add Red to it. So 2 color. The intent is to have them cycle all blue, then all red (IE Holdman). Now when wrapping these things it looks like if I add another color, the red being wrapped over the blue, how in the heck will the blue come thru? How do you guys do this? I know I've seen multi arches somewhere's? :?

I thought I would be able to lose my newbie title this year, guess not :cool:

[JBullard]

Don't cover the Blue. Run the Red bulbs between the Blue bulbs.

[Dave Batzdorf]

You might have to unwrap the blue. Then take the red and blue strings wind them together and then wind them on the arch. If this is the case then i would suggest going to the separate segmented style of arch. Then if one of the red/blue segments gives u you an issue, you just swap it out and fix it in the nice warm lighted shop! I hate making field repairs.

[dstevens]

Dave Batzdorf wrote:

You might have to unwrap the blue. Then take the red and blue strings wind them together and then wind them on the arch. If this is the case then i would suggest going to the separate segmented style of arch. Then if one of the red/blue segments gives u you an issue, you just swap it out and fix it in the nice warm lighted shop! I hate making field repairs.

I think this is the way to go, especially using the sleeve method.

[Bob Wingert]

Dave Batzdorf wrote:

You might have to unwrap the blue. Then take the red and blue strings wind them together and then wind them on the arch. If this is the case then i would suggest going to the separate segmented style of arch. Then if one of the red/blue segments gives u you an issue, you just swap it out and fix it in the nice warm lighted shop! I hate making field repairs.

More work to do, again! LOL. I will def do the sleeve method if I'm going to tackle this. My reds are 60ct where my blues are 70ct. I really dont want to buy more reds just to do this. This may make it tricky with 2 different lenghts, they should be relatively close though.

[shfr26]

I'm thinking if you wrap the blues(70) first rather loose and then the reds(60) in between the blues it should come out pretty even. Or maybe the short one first because the next wrap will take more lights. Darn, now I got a headache trying to figure out which way to do it. Thanks Bob, no more votes for you till my headache goes away.

[jbzeus]

This is a project of mine also. It is a challenge as I'm using 100ct incandescents and after adding multiple colors the section became too long. I'm trying to keep to 15" sections for a 16 channel 20' arch. I have a specific spot to use this so I want to keep to these specs. It appears I may have to go with 1 1/2" PVC to wrap the way I want to. Not exactly what I was thinking...

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm planning on using the sectional arch method so repairs will be easier.



JEff

[Max-Paul]

Gentlemen,

Can we use the "Sleeved method" as the official term. If we go off and start calling it different names. It will only confuse others as to what is meant.

Thanks
and no, I am not trying to be a "Terms" cop. It just is easier if everyone is on the same page and not scratching their head and going "Gee what does that mean".

[Bob Wingert]

I will plan on doing the sleeve method, but I have a ?

If I cut down a 10ft PVC (which is flimsy) into 6 - 18" segments that will change the integrity of the PVC bigtime to where it will be firm and difficult to bend, right? I want these to look smooth, flawless. Is there a secret to bending them or will they do it upon themselves and look natural?

[wallleyes]

I used a come along to bend my arches.After bending them i drilled 2 small holes on each end and ran a piece of wire to keep them bent.I have 6 inches of bare pvc on each end to keep the lights off the ground.Also keep the wire up so its not laying flush on the ground freezing in the ice.This worked great for me.

[jimswinder]

Bob Wingert wrote:

Is there a secret to bending them or will they do it upon themselves and look natural?

I know it is more time consuming, but I wrapped my arches when they were bent to the shape/size I wanted them...then I did not have to worry about stretching the light strings and possibly damaging them (pulling wires out of the sockets) when it was bent.

I store them bent also...so they retain their shape easily.

[Steven]

If you need to conserve channels while still looking good, consider keeping segments of one color, while wrapping the arch with one channel of the second color.

For a good example of this, look at

and forward to 2:02.

Or from the beginning of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swZW0LzXSn8.

[jimswinder]

Steven wrote:

If you need to conserve channels while still looking good, consider keeping segments of one color, while wrapping the arch with one channel of the second color.

Never thought of that!!!

Looks pretty good!

[Bob Wingert]

Steven wrote:

If you need to conserve channels while still looking good, consider keeping segments of one color, while wrapping the arch with one channel of the second color.

For a good example of this, look at

and forward to 2:02.

Or from the beginning of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swZW0LzXSn8.

Interesting.... ----------- 2nd Video, how many channels are on each arch?

[Steven]

Bob Wingert wrote:

Interesting.... ----------- 2nd Video, how many channels are on each arch?

Each arch proper had 8 channels. The splashes are additional channels. The orange lights were added to the display after the Giants won the World Series, so as not to "jinx" the outcome.

That according to Dave, the creator of that display, who is Severex on this forum, but does not visit here regularly.