Build guide Lawrence Drive Lights MegaTree Build

Really liking your posts , pictures and videos. They are well detailed and giving me lots of inspiration at the moment and Christmas has only just past.. I also use as much left overs as possible but a bit more caveman
style which still gets good feedback from the viewers , but hopefully this year I can build on things and create a display that's in the ballpark of yours. Keep up the good work !!!
 
I was after a alternative way to store the megatree strip this year.
I had previously rolled the strips up inside the storage boxes and used scraps pieces of cardboard between each string.
View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/x87akf3csyhesur/Photo%204-7-18%2C%2012%2055%2009%20pm.jpg?dl=0





It worked ok.
I did want to try something a little different and had the silly idea of making individual rolls to store each string on so I could easily remove them one at a time for testing etc prior to the MegaTree etc

Well I ended up with these "Tie Fighter" design holders made up from some scrap 3mm coro and off cuts of timber in the centre. Simply stapled the coro to the timber centre.





View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jg2lz91qkv1tm82/Photo%2018-12-19%2C%201%2057%2013%20pm.jpg?dl=0





View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/h427dok0grrnzdt/Photo%2018-12-19%2C%202%2001%2020%20pm.jpg?dl=0






These strings are 85 nodes @ 2inch spacing for idea of the lengths.
Once all rolled up onto the rolls they stored neatly in the storage boxes like this
View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4fonhm7p704voqy/Photo%2027-12-19%2C%2010%2006%2003%20am.jpg?dl=0






Probably total overkill for a storage idea and did take a little longer to roll all the strings up compared to just dumping them into the storage box but no longer then layering them like I previously did.
Hopefully the benefit is being able to do a quick test on each sting whilst still rolled up prior to next years MegaTree assembly as I can see each node thru the coro.





View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/96ovtpp34vupcys/Photo%2023-12-19%2C%2011%2003%2029%20am.jpg?dl=0
 
Ok 2020 Mega Tree Updates

I decided to change the pole tilting mechanism

This required a second ground socket

A fabricated a new tilt arrangement

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vk838irqplxtkyh/Photo%2011-7-20%2C%204%2033%2015%20pm.jpg?dl=0



This allows higher tilting point and easier to lift the pole into position


View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rnv9ub6dpdsinfn/Photo%2018-7-20%2C%202%2035%2055%20pm.jpg?dl=0



Using the winch to help tilting the pole does make it easier.

Once tilted into position, pole is secured with bot in the bottom and also uses guide wires etc.


Also utilising a new Topper we obtained from ACL member @BooY


View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lyhqfzu4jw6i53d/Photo%2028-5-20%2C%202%2030%2037%20pm.jpg?dl=0
 
LawrenceDriveLights said:
Ok a quick update

Firstly I have decided to increase the density of my Megatree
So going from 24 strands of 85 pixel nodes per strand @ 180 degree viewing angle to

32 strands of 85 pixel nodes per strand @ 180 degree viewing angle. I wasn't going to do this until next year but decided to go ahead with it.

One of the design aspects I wanted to have was the topper being able to be fitted when the MegaTree pole was in-situ.

ie Fit pole into ground sleeve with top pulley plate attached and guy wires attached.

Then bolt on winch with winch plate and bolt on sliding tree header (topper)

So come up with this somewhat crazy design for the tree header

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dafalupg4a0qy8a/Photo%2015-7-18%2C%201%2054%2000%20pm.jpg?dl=0


its just a "mock up / prototype so to speak" and will add some more bracing if needed, clean up and paint etc

So bolt the topper together around pole, and using pvc pipe as a bush to allow the header to "slide" up and down the pole easier.

Header to be winched up with boat winch and secured in place with the ratchet on the winch.

Need to also add something to header to attach winch cable to.

Not to sure yet as how going to secure strips to topper yet, was looking at small carabiner things but may just use hook bolts.

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1tn3y1ikcxtzsjb/Photo%2015-7-18%2C%201%2059%2029%20pm.jpg?dl=0
Click to expand...
Hey Shaun, what is the diameter of the topper and spacing of the hooks?
 
I got BooY's small topper and got 24 hooks at 180deg using every hole, so if your doing more strands than 24 get the big one.
 
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