bretk Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I started on my star today for the new mega tree I am adding next year. Starting with 1/4" steel rod, I have welded up a star with 1' points. first making all the points to 36 degrees then joining them. I then welded the star to a 1/2" square tube, and welded the tube inside a 1/2" nipple. The paint is now drying. I plan on using 30 cm waterproof RGB strips and run it using a 6 dollar dmx decoder and waterproof power supply. More pics to follow. Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan C Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Looks good, I was considering making something like this for next year.I'm wondering have you thought about how you are going to handle the RGB strips at the "Corners" of the star?I'm pretty sure in order to make a clean sharp corner, you will need to cut the rgb strip. Then wire them together and lastly seal it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Looks Great, Can't wait to see the final product/videos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretk Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Dan,I used breadboard jumper wires, then sealed with hot glue here are some pics of the strips going on. Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretk Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 And Another Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretk Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 And one more.. How do you attach multiple pics using the post reply box? it will only let me add one? Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny M. Carter Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Looks good Bret!Donny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hcl1 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 I wish I could weld something like that. I have a 30 foot tall radio tower mega tree with no star still... Still trying to figure out the best way to make one for myself. Yours looks great man. Keep up the good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougP Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 hcl1 wrote:I wish I could weld something like that. I have a 30 foot tall radio tower mega tree with no star still... Still trying to figure out the best way to make one for myself. Yours looks great man. Keep up the good work.If you need someone to build you one I can do it.www.wireframedlites.comDoug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwhitehead Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Hot glue will leak with out heat shrink. I had issues with my led rope light on my star the first year. I ended up replacing most of the sections. May I suggest some clear heat shrink thats has glue in it. Can't tell its there. I found it on ebay for 8 bucks its 3/4 3:1 for four ft of it. No issues this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Which RGB strip are you using, 30 or 60 per meter? My guess is 30. Looks very nice and brite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretk Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 yes, it's 30 per meter, thanks for the hot glue tip, I will also be covering the junctions with liquid electrical tape too. I will post a new pic tonight, I added a Dan-Burst to the center for a little zing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Young Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Also remember that the inexpensive $7 DMX decoders are not waterproof. You will need to seal them/enclose them, as they will fail if they take on water while operating.Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretk Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 As long as I mount them upside down there shouldnt be a problem, per David Moore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretk Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 Here is a quick vid of the star and Dan-Burst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffl Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Can you post a link to the strips your using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretk Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 Jeff,The y are eBay item 320817484772. Make sure to get common anode (these are) only thing to know is when wiring to controller the 4 pins are +grb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imawlkr2 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 How did you attach the strip to the 1/4" rod? Might need to make one of these for each of my 3 trees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H1 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Bret,Thanks for the great pictures, now I can show the wife that I'm not the only one that uses the kitchen counter as their work bench.............(LOL)The pictures look great but your video is truly awesome with the radiating lights.You have a winner!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretk Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 imawlkr2 wrote:How did you attach the strip to the 1/4" rod? Might need to make one of these for each of my 3 trees.Initial positioning was with the tacky strip on tha back of the lightstrip, the I used some 2 part epoxy to permanently attach them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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