My Halloween Singing Faces Light Display. Using Light-O-Rama controllers.

[actaeon277]

I have a previous thread on my Christmas lights many of you have seen.
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...t-display-using-light-o-rama-controllers.html


And I'm still going to be doing the Christmas lights.
But, them controllers are sitting around, not being used.


So, I've seen these displays on YouTube of these "faces" that look like they're singing.
I thought I'd take a crack at it.

This is what I'm talking about. (Not mine. I'm building mine now.)

[video=youtube;a3Ftc_2iu7s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Ftc_2iu7s[/video]


I'm just planning on doing the faces. Maybe a couple lit pumpkins.
More like this, except 4 faces.

[video=youtube;J1JPQ0Vz_II]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1JPQ0Vz_II[/video]



Like the Christmas thread, I thought I'd document my project.
1st, this is mostly a hardware thing right now.
I don't have time to learn to use the software that they use to detect what sounds are being sung.
I purchased 5 "sequences"

 

[actaeon277]

1st.

I purchased these 5 "sequences".

This is Halloween Sequence - 4 Singing Faces

Ghostbusters Sequence - 4 Singing Faces

No One Lives Forever Sequence - 4 Singing Faces

Monster Mash Sequence - 4 Singing Faces

Thriller Sequence - 4 Singing Faces


They are for the "face" only. Any other lights, I have to program.

The outputs wire to the face like this.

Except, I'm attempting to use pegboard.


Because his sequences were programmed using newer software than mine, I had to update mine, I think it was $30 or so.

I paid the update, but I still have to actually install it. And check the sequences.

Right now, I'm trying to get hardware out of the way during the nice weather.

 

[actaeon277]

1st.

I purchased these 5 "sequences".

This is Halloween Sequence - 4 Singing Faces

Ghostbusters Sequence - 4 Singing Faces

No One Lives Forever Sequence - 4 Singing Faces

Monster Mash Sequence - 4 Singing Faces

Thriller Sequence - 4 Singing Faces


They are for the "face" only. Any other lights, I have to program.

The outputs wire to the face like this.

Except, I'm attempting to use pegboard.


Because his sequences were programmed using newer software than mine, I had to update mine, I think it was $30 or so.

I paid the update, but I still have to actually install it. And check the sequences.

Right now, I'm trying to get hardware out of the way during the nice weather.

Here's two of the sequences, embedded (as I mentioned, mine will be faces only)
[video=youtube;1UjvHMXmtfI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UjvHMXmtfI[/video]

[video=youtube;a3Ftc_2iu7s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Ftc_2iu7s[/video]

 

[actaeon277]

As I mentioned, this is the hardware phase.


Just starting

I bought two pegboards, 4x8.
By cutting them in half, I will have 4 frames for the faces.

And, here I'm cutting 1x2s (8 foot) that I'm using to frame it. Give it some stability/strength.
Just a note. I thought I was being smart and buying 1 more than I need. But I was 1 short. Duh.
I figured I need two for the lengths, and 1 cut in half for the short sides. So 3 for each pegboard. 3x2 is 6. So I bought 7.
Except..
When you cut the pegboard in half, you create another "side".
So I took a 1x4 I had at home, and ripped it down the length.

I used 1x2s, because while I wanted it to strengthen the pegboard, I didn't want to make it too hard for me to work with by myself during setup/takedown.

 

[actaeon277]

I tend to "assembly line" stuff.

So here is the cut pegboards and the 1x2s cut and ready for assembly.

yes, under that is a cornhole game. No I didn't make it. Guy at my Legion did. Nice. The two boxes slide into each other for carrying.

Clamp a 1x2.
I start with the 4 foot long. (2 are 4 foot, 2 are 3 foot 10.5 inches)
I used #10 construction screws, 3/4 inch long.
You could use 1 inch, give better grip. But if you screw just a little too far, you get the points out the side.
#8 screws were to thin, and would go right through the holes.
I put a screw every 4th hole.

Here I've put the two shorter pieces on.
Put the last 4 footer on last. Don't save the shorter piece for last, unless you're a better carpenter than I. I'm not that good. I didn't want a gap, or not enough room.

 

[actaeon277]

I did all the cutting yesterday, and assembled 2 of the frames.
Today, I assembled the other 2 frames and painted 3 of them. I ran out of paint. You know you ALWAYS have to make multiple trips.
Tomorrow after work I'll get more paint.
I used spray paint, to try to get some paint to seal the holes. Use whatever.
I also used dull paint, didn't want reflection from the lights.
The board is just so I can paint both sides.
The frame will be mounted to my porch railing, or at least 3 of them will. That way I don't have to worry about the wind knocking them down.
I still have to figure out where the 4th is going.

 

[actaeon277]

I try to keep my stuff organized.

 

[actaeon277]

Oh. I try to keep a good supply of screws in that container. Usually gets me through most projects.
But, by putting a screw in every 4th hole, that's about 50 screws PER face. So, 200 overall.
Of course Menards didn't have #10 by 3/4, except the screw with the BIG heads, which I didn't want.



So, my plans for tomorrow after work, if there's no rain, is to paint the last frame, paint the bottom edge of the 3 I did today.
Then if I still have time, I'll start marking out where the lights will go.
Because I'm gonna have to figure the 1st one out, I bought colored electrical tapes to match the diagram.

Except, I didn't find gray (channel 7), so that'll be orange.


I can use the tape to trace out on the board. If I don't like something, I can pull the tape of and retry.



The frames will be similar, but not exactly the same.
I plan on making small changes in the features so they are not exact copies.




Then, I'll have to drill out the holes I need.
I plan on pulling the light (LED) out of the socket, put the socket into the hole, from the back, then put the bulb back in, on the front side.
The bulb will hold in the socket. Shouldn't need glue.

 

[Spear Dane]

This is awesome. I love these and the creativity and effort people put into it. I hope yours turns out well!

 

[GunSlinger]

Can't wait to see it Act. You are a talented guy my friend.

 

[SEIndSAM]

Can't wait to see it Act. You are a talented guy my friend.

Yep, it should be very cool...Looking forward to the video...

 

[actaeon277]

This is awesome. I love these and the creativity and effort people put into it. I hope yours turns out well!

Can't wait to see it Act. You are a talented guy my friend.

Yep, it should be very cool...Looking forward to the video...

Thank you guys.

 

[gregkl]

That is really cool. Hope to see the finished product actaeon! A co-worker of mine is really into the Christmas lighting. He even took vacation and attended a trade show/seminar on outdoor lighting in Chicago.

He's got the latest and greatest controllers, etc. All LED. Of course he works in IT.

 

[femurphy77]

Damn I wish I had "spare" time!! Maybe if Indiana would do a double DST thing we'd get an extra 2 hours of daylight instead of 1. I just hope that the people we're stealing the extra hour from don't come looking for it!

 

[actaeon277]

That is really cool. Hope to see the finished product actaeon! A co-worker of mine is really into the Christmas lighting. He even took vacation and attended a trade show/seminar on outdoor lighting in Chicago.

He's got the latest and greatest controllers, etc. All LED. Of course he works in IT.

I would like to attend one, I live in NWI. At least to attend some seminars. I'm self taught, and I'm sure I'm barely using its potential.

Damn I wish I had "spare" time!! Maybe if Indiana would do a double DST thing we'd get an extra 2 hours of daylight instead of 1. I just hope that the people we're stealing the extra hour from don't come looking for it!

I don't have spare time. My house looks like an episode of Hoarders. I just steal the time from something else.

 

[actaeon277]

Ok.
Sunday I took a break.
I didn't feel like working on it after work.
Today, I put a second coat on the 3 frames, and 1 coat on the fourth.

Saturday I used Rustoleum flat black spray cans.
Took 5 to do the 3 frames, back and front.
My fingers were sore after holding the nozzle for so long. Guess I'm outta shape and wimpy.

Yesterday my sister in law offered a artist's airgun.
DUH!
I have a paint gun for my compressor, and a Wagner electric paint gun.
So today I bought 2 cans of Rustoleum Painter''s Touch (Latex) 1 quart (each).
Oh my God it went SO much better. And faster. Even with cleanup of the paint gun.
I HIGHLY recommend using a paint gun.

Till this dries, not much to do hardware wise.
I'll have to come up with some way to mount it to my railing. But that would be better done when they're dry and can move them around.

I still need to install the upgrade for the sequencing software and check out the sequences.
Don't know if I'll do that tonight or not.
I have a bad back. And between work, and lifting these frames, my backs about done for now.


No pic today. LooKS the same. Just a better coating.

 

[actaeon277]

Next hardware step, will be using colored electrical tape to mark off the holes being used.
Then drilling them out slightly.

 

[actaeon277]

Oh.
When spray painting, I recommend..
Having paper towels or rags nearby.
Spray shield for glasses if you wear them.


And the amount of paint used by the paint gun was one and a half quarts.

 

[HoughMade]

Spectacular work! I'll be sure and cruise by.

 

[actaeon277]

I'd also like to add, using paint that cleans up with soap/water makes clean up a lot easier.