Thin Wall PVC Arch

[sirloinofbeef001]

Hey PK, I know its about the arch but where did you get the voiceover?

[mms]

These type of arches are sure easy to build, but I'm still waiting on delivery of my new flexstrips.  I will probably connect them to my F-16 board and need to run just three conductor cable to them, but I have not found any small wire grommets like Steve used.  Where did those come from?  I tried Home Depot and an auto supply store so far.  Have not been to Radio Shack yet.

We got the grommets from Mouser.  PK will have to chime in with the size we used since he does all the ordering.

Hey PK, I know its about the arch but where did you get the voiceover?

His good-looking and multi-talented son has worked in radio in an on-air capacity since 2000 and utilized his audio production skills to do all the voiceover and radio imaging for the light shows.  Also featured in the radio broadcast is his girlfriend, Jenn, she's the one that says, "The Light" and her daughter Rachel - "bring your shades, dude". 

OK, OK, it's hard to write about yourself in 3rd person, but I couldn't resist!   

But this did remind me I need to do some new imaging this year!  UGH!

[pk]

Voiceover -.... from my modest son, a.k.a. mms


Grommet - I got them from Mouser.  p/n 836-G1058.  Before that I got some from Ace Hardware.  I vary the hole diameter to make a tight fit around the cable.  It depends on the daimeter of the cable.  Something around 3/8 is good for the cat5 cable I use.  On the pigtail end of my SSCs I use a 7/16 hole.

[jnealand]

Thanks for the mouser part number and it is good timing since I am working on a small order of parts that I need so I can just add this into that order.  Since I will probably be using the F-16 to control the arches I am thinking of just running the 3 conductor flat cable that comes with the flex which is pretty small although I could put a 3 pin waterproof connector on the strips and just make some long extension cords of the 3 conductor wire and put a matching 3 pin waterproof connector on that.  Too many choices.  The lights have now arrived in the US and I'm hoping they will arrive at my house by Friday. Then I can start cutting the strips to fit the pvc for the arches which are already built and ready to go.

[pk]

The arches mms and I did, have one side of the base made with 1.25" PVC so the SSController fits inside. The Cat5 pigtail that is soldered to the SSController comes thru the grommet which is facing the ground.  We didn't have the F16 last year!

[mms]

Thanks for the mouser part number and it is good timing since I am working on a small order of parts that I need so I can just add this into that order.  Since I will probably be using the F-16 to control the arches I am thinking of just running the 3 conductor flat cable that comes with the flex which is pretty small although I could put a 3 pin waterproof connector on the strips and just make some long extension cords of the 3 conductor wire and put a matching 3 pin waterproof connector on that.  Too many choices.  The lights have now arrived in the US and I'm hoping they will arrive at my house by Friday. Then I can start cutting the strips to fit the pvc for the arches which are already built and ready to go.

I can't wait to see your results!

The arches mms and I did, have one side of the base made with 1.25" PVC so the SSController fits inside. The Cat5 pigtail that is soldered to the SSController comes thru the grommet which is facing the ground.  We didn't have the F16 last year!

Not sure if it matters, but the 1.25" PVC in the base is schedule 40.  There was a good reason why we used 1.25 in the base that has the controller, but I can't remember what it was. 

[jnealand]

Here is the old arch that I have used for 3 years.  Got tired of replacing bulbs and seeing the power meter spin when they were on.  So now I am replacing these with ones that look like mostly like yours and will use 3m of WS2811 flex in each one.  I put a brass cup hook in the T-connector, put some paracord between the two and pulled it up tight until the arch looked ok to me.  I've used all 1" PVC since a standard SSC will fit in that if needed but with the F-16 or the Zeus I do not have to put a controller in the arch at all.  I'm planning to just run some of the 3 conductor wire that Ray sells from the F-16 to the arch.  I will probably put a 3 pin connector on the flex and the cable just for ease of storage and moving things around, but have not decided whether to put the 3 pin in the arch leg or not.  Maybe I should check to see if the connector will even fit inside the 1" PVC, LOL .............. It does.

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[jnealand]

I have noticed when I move my arches around that the flexstrip will move so that is off center, although they can't move far.  Have you seen that problem and what did you do to fix it?

[Steve Gase]

Here is what I'm doing...

First, I pulled off all of the LED strings on my 2-color 40' arches that used rebar and 1-1/2 PVC.  They are history.

In their place I used the old smart string pixels inside of 10' long 3/4" white PEX
Lowes: http://www.lowes.com/pd_308048-61002-APPW1034_0__
Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-3-4-in-x-10-ft-PEX-Pipe-U870W10/202033032#.UmaC2fmubYk

I find the PEX to be much brighter than PVC.  I also like the white because the light is less harsh than clear tubing.

Each tube starts with a male 3-core waterproof connector and ends with a female connector.  Inside, the pixels are a tight fit with the wiring... but I can get 40 pixels inside.

I connect 3 of these tubes end-to-end and use a SSC to drive 3 tubes (120 pixels).

I use hooks (clasps) at each end of the tube (small drilled hole) and paracord to connect the ends -- creating a bow-string.

I stand the arches up and tie them to a fence stake... the whole thing is light-weight and I don't require anything sophisticated... one stake per arch, tied to the center of the arch.

Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fi-Shock-48-in-Plastic-Black-Step-in-Fence-Post-A-48B/203265870#.UmaD8PmubYk
Lowes: I saw the same item available in white at the store


Each tube can be stored easily at the end of the season, just release the bow and stack them in a pile.

[mms]

I have noticed when I move my arches around that the flexstrip will move so that is off center, although they can't move far.  Have you seen that problem and what did you do to fix it?

We let the strips "float".  I give them a good jiggle when I'm placing them.  You could get away with double sided tape on the back side of one end just to hold the strip until you get them set up.  I think the first node on each end is hidden by the T-fitting anyway.

[RichM]

I do mine like mms.  They just float inside.  The endcaps are not glued on so I can take an end off reach in and jiggle them until they sit right.  I'm not worried about it being perfectly centered.