2012 Project - leaping RGB Arches with Clear Conduit.

[AussiePhil]

Confirmed - it was you that made me go back and try this... thanks


Phil

 

[Timon]

In general I love what you've done. I think the only change I'd make would be to use pixel strip instead of RGB strip.

If that's electrical conduit it likely has UV inhibitors since PVC electrical conduit is made for outdoor use.

Again great job.

John

 

[fasteddy]

I reakon for this you would get a better effect by not having it clear but having it cloudy, possibly sand blasting the surface of the clear conduit to get a nice even dispersion from the arch. This way it will look more like a lit tube than possibly a clear tube with lights in it. Just my thoughts

 

[Steve22537]

Not willing to settle for clear. Trying to find a way to make the tubes opaque to better defuse the light.

Have you tried wiping the clear conduit with something like Acetone, as it has the ability to disolve most plastics.

Steve

 

[AussiePhil]

In general I love what you've done. I think the only change I'd make would be to use pixel strip instead of RGB strip.

If that's electrical conduit it likely has UV inhibitors since PVC electrical conduit is made for outdoor use.

Again great job.

John

John


The Transparent Security conduit is not specified for external use and i've yet to find a manufacturer that says it has any UV inhibitors.
Mind you if it goes cloudy then that's ok anyway.


Phil

 

[AussiePhil]

Ok first Photos


The 2801 RGB Flexible Pixel strip arrived today and i just had to check if it physically fitted in 20mm Tube, that answer is not really. I will have to use at least 25mm conduit.


Here is the 20mm Prototype arch minus it's original pixels, starting to look a little un-arch like after not being stored for a few days very well.



Here's the Silicon sleeved 2801 strip. The sleeve measures 14.3mm x 4mm and the end cover is 16.3mm x 7mm and that is what binds on the 20mm Conduit



Here is is just in the end.



And here it is as i plan to have it in the final version, here you can see how the Conduit is slightly cloudy after about 5 weeks in the sun, i don't think this is a bad thing as it will help diffuse the light, i'll be interested to see how it is after summer.



The strip sits flat and is facing up in the tube.


Video and testing will have to now wait till i get some 25mm Conduit.


Cheers
Phil

 

[Henedce]

To make my mini arches with clear conduit . I made a jig in the shape I wanted then taped the end of the conduit. I then filled the tube with boiling water, taped off the other waited a minute and bent to shape in the jig. Once I had my shape I flushed with cold water for a few minutes and hooray a mini arch in the right shape. Heres a vid of my original prototype.

 

[Michael Sullivan]

If you want to bend your conduit so it looks neat while at the electrical wholesalers pick yourself up what is called in the electrical trade a "Bending Spring".


It's a spring the is the same size as the internal of the conduit and you tie it to some rope so you can let is drop down into the conduit.


Because the spring is the same size as the internal of the conduit it stops it from kinking and then just with rubbing friction from you hand will get the conduit warm enough to bend it.


Use the rope to pull out the spring.


Mick

 

[AussiePhil]

Well it looks like the Arch project has taken a detour from it's original design and is morphing into a full Aluminium framed dual arch with spokes for a fan.



The image above shows you the idea.


As we will now have a frame we will move to flexible plastic tubing and plan to wrap it in white lycra to help diffuse the light.


The video below shows the effect, the RGB string is 2801 32 pixels /M strip.


Archtest

View: https://vimeo.com/36624413



Cheers
Phil

 

[dariansdad]

http://www.shannonclaus.com/CCR%20Spiral/CCRSpiral.html

Check out this using PEX tubing. Awesome affect and the CCR from LOR used is not inside the tubing, although through communication, it was suggested to them to use a larger piece of tubing and run the CCR pixels inside. This may be a different way to accomplidh what you're looking to do

 

[DeeJai]

well phil, you have enabled me to make up my mind in reference to 2801 or 6803s. The 2801 just looks so much nicer.

Cheers

 

[fasteddy]

The reality is that if the cost is similar or close between the 2801 and the 6803 then you are crazy not to get the 2801. I only used a lot of 6803 because last year and the year before it was $20 cheaper per strip and the 2801 was only available in 5vdc. So i made a concious decision to live with less dimming steps. But now the 12vdc strip is available in 2801 with 36 LED/m for only a few bucks more than the 6803 strip, it makes sense to buy that instead.

 

[AussiePhil]

http://www.shannonclaus.com/CCR%20Spiral/CCRSpiral.html

Check out this using PEX tubing. Awesome affect and the CCR from LOR used is not inside the tubing, although through communication, it was suggested to them to use a larger piece of tubing and run the CCR pixels inside. This may be a different way to accomplidh what you're looking to do

Now to find somewhere to buy it at some reasonable pricing in Oz, as it looks impressive be very worth a test.

Thanks
Phil

 

[Steve22537]

PEX tubing is available from all plumbing suppliers in black, Bunnings also stock PEX but only in black. PEX is rigid so it will form a nice sweeping curve.


Steve

 

[BretK]

I just ordered a roll of 100' of natural translucent pex here in the states 3/4" od .671 " Id for $54. Will let you know how it works when it arrives. I plan on using it for my ccr's arches, and for some 2801 spiral trees.