My not quite mega tree

[ksmith247]

I just got my first two controllers this year and am very excited for next year so I can have my first show, but I went ahead and built my first mega tree. Well not as mega as some since it is only 10' but it will look mega in my small yard. I wanted to post some of the pics on here to see what the professionals had to say, and also see if there are any recommendations that I may have not thought. This is the finished tree without paint. It is 25 Degrees here so I did not think it was a good idea to try and paint.

[ksmith247]

Here is another shot of the construction. I used irrigation tubing and connectors so it would be easier to take apart and store

Here is a shot of the top. I made it out of a PVC Drain.

[ksmith247]

Here is the concept of how I attach the bottom with irrigation risers for sprinkler heads.

[Ron Boyd]

I only see 2 things. First is the hooks for the light strings on the topper. If you use one light string per hook, you should be okay. If you plan on using up to 4 strings (Superstrings ie. RGBW) per hook, that might pose a problem. In the same picture, it looks as though one of the PVC pieces is cracked. If so, I would replace that. Being in Indiana, I would venture a guess it gets pretty cold there.

A suggestion if I may, put some weight on the hooks (about the same weight as the light strings you'll be using) and leave it outside for a week or so just to test it in your weather. If it holds up, then you should be good to go. If it doesn't, well here's a link to the one I built and it held up fine this year. TN doesn't get as cold as Indiana, but mine is very sound.

www.loopychristmas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:flaloop-free-standing-mega-tree&catid=39:projects&Itemid=58

It's pretty easy to build and takes about 2 hours for the construction after you get your pieces cut. Cost is around $50 for PVC.

Welcome to the addic......I mean hobby.

Ron

Edited December 30, 2012 by Ron Boyd

[ksmith247]

Thanks for the advice. I actually have seen yours, and that is where I got the idea for the bottom of mine. I liked how portable yours was, and it seemed like storage would be a little easier. It does get pretty cold here, so that is a good idea to test out my hooks. That piece broke when I was drilling the hole. Aparently not a good idea to work on PVC in 25 degree weather..lol...

After I got it built, I realized it might be a good idea to put some cross members in the middle to join all the pieces together, since the pvc flexes. I figure with couplings I could make it break down even smaller. I thought about gluing one side and using a bolt on the other side of the coupling so it would hold together better instead of just relying on the pressure fitting.

Thanks again for the advice.

You are right about the addic... Hobby.. My wife has even started getting into the lights, and that is saying something. She can never say I dont brighter her day up...lol.

[George Simmons]

If you used rigid electrical conduit inside the pvc that would firm it up quite a bit.

[Max-Paul]

That is a good idea to weight on it and let it sit outside for a week or two. But keep this in mind. Not only will the hooks and actually all of the structure be stressed by the weight of the lights. But what if you get freezing rain that ices up the lights. And I would think a bigger chance of snow loading. And your going to want to anchor that bottom ring. But will the legs remain on the bottom ring if the wind gets blowing? Sorry dont mean to be ripping on your design. Just trying to keep you out of the Jim Winder club.

[ksmith247]

I am planning on putting sandbags on the bottom ring to hold it in place and i have bolts hoding the uprights to the ring also. Our ground is so hard that i use a pic axe to plant bushes so i dont think i could get stakes out once i had to take it down.

I dont take it as ripping my design. I posted it here to get more eyes on it in case i missed something. I take it all as advice. Thanks for all the good input.

[caniac]

Never underestimate the weight of the lights, I am on my second telescoping flagpole because of loading too many lights and raising it too high. This year I went with rigid 2" EMT.

[Frybread]

Kevin, Nice start, Like mid support rig will help, like you mentioned.

If you want to see other examples, let me know, I am not "too" far from you and I have another friend on here who is over 100 lights who is very helpful.

Never underestimate the weight of the lights, I am on my second telescoping flagpole because of loading too many lights and raising it too high. This year I went with rigid 2" EMT.

I feel your pain. I made the same mistake. The pole is still up and holding but the wind the other day (50+ MPH) has it looking like a hunch back. I am hoping it might straighten some when I take it down. Something about 64 Stings and the wind and snow and ice. Just to much.. Next year, PIPE and more guide wires.

[Jerry]

I am planning on putting sandbags on the bottom ring to hold it in place and i have bolts hoding the uprights to the ring also. Our ground is so hard that i use a pic axe to plant bushes so i dont think i could get stakes out once i had to take it down.

I dont take it as ripping my design. I posted it here to get more eyes on it in case i missed something. I take it all as advice. Thanks for all the good input.

How will you attach the lights at the bottom, will the sandbags get in the way of your spacing ? If you get much wind , the more light strings you have up the more sandbags you'll need. Keep in mind in the winter time mother nature will through every she has at your display. I agree STEEL emt pipe would be the way to go , but that's just me, I over build everything ( and sometimes that isn't enough).

[Max-Paul]

Jerry, Would you happen to be a good Kraut like me? I have a bad tendency to go over board to, from time to time. I have 1 1/4 galvanized pipe. 10' + pin + 7' Then cross bars n pulley and 2.5' 3d star. Then 4 guy wires from cross bar topper. Got the crankup hook head also. Cant put any guys at 10' cause then I could not use the crank up hook head. I did have some problems with the ring at the bottom. I need to use better anchors. We had a strong wind with blowing snow a few weeks ago. I also tried to use "S" hooks to hold the strings to the ring. Well the ring will be better anchored and looks like I am going to tie the strings to the ring next year.

I agree, you have to use a very strong pipe. Fence pipe is not strong enough, PVC is not strong enough and Aluminum is not strong enough to do the job. This year I only have 36 strings of 100 ct C6 LEDs. In a couple of years I want to double that. Oh and I have 40 strobes in the mix also.

[Stephen Blue]

I use similar hooks on my 10' superstring trees. Worked fine for the past 2 years.

My concern here is the attachment to the ground. My 10' color changers have roughly 5,000 lights on them. My light strands go to stakes in the ground so they act as mini-guy wires. I also guy with 100lb test fishing line. This year we had some of the worst wind I've endured (solid 25-35 with gusts over 50), and it picked those lights up out of the ground like they were nothing and toppled over both my 10' trees. - so it pulled roughly a dozen light stakes AND broke 100lb test line, to give you an idea of what wind can do to these trees. I'm not sure sandbags are going to hold it. Granted, I'm in an open field with little break for the wind but still... I would consider some kind of better ground anchor system.