Part 1: How to build a Leaping Arch for an outdoor Christmas light show
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
- I have been told that the orange bases I used in this video are no longer available so I have started building kits that are improved over my original DIY design. You can purchase the Arch Base Kits here: doityourselfchristmas.com/foru...
If you are interested in buying these and other light show products already built, please visit my new store Living Light Shows: www.livinglightshows.com. You can also see some demonstration videos here of the products: • Living Light Shows - P...
All you will need to complete the arches is the following:
1. EMT tubing (1/2" from Home Depot) (70")
2. 2"OD, 1-3/4" ID HDPE Tubing (www.mcmaster.com/#50375K64) (I cut mine to 9-1/2')
3. Pixel strips. These are the ones I use (www.aliexpress.com/store/produ.... I cut each 5m strip in half and make two arches with it. Don't let the shipping cost frighten you, email Ray and tell him I referred you and he will give you a better price.
Good Luck!
For frequently asked questions and more video's on my light show, visit my website at www.johnsonlightshow.com
Have you been watching ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight or browsing videos on TH-cam of Christmas Light shows or displays that are synchronized to music and wondered how you can do that to your house? This video is part of a five video series that I created based on emails I have received from others who have watched my lightshow and are interested in the elements, the technology, and how a person can get started with their own DIY Christmas display. I have attempted to show a basic overview of building elements for your own light show on a budget and with readily available materials from Home Depot, Lowes, Hobby Lobby, or other stores.
Here are some additional details on the arches not clearly covered in the video that I have been asked about:
1. The slits at the bottom of the tube are about 2 inches long and 1/8" wide (or a little wider). I did them in two places on each side opposite of each other. They are there so the clamp can squeeze the tubing against the rebar cap and keep it tight. Without the slit, you cannot get the tube sufficiently tight on the rebar clamp.
2. The pipe clamp is actually a pipe hanger I think it what it is called. I got it at Home Depot in the section that pipe fittings, EMT, etc. It's intended purpose is to support a 2" conduit hanging from a ceiling. The cross bar screws into the clamp where you would ordinarily put a threaded rod if it was hanging from a ceiling.
3. The Cross bar is 1/2" EMT and painted black for aesthetics only.
4. The arch is staked to the ground, heavy duty tent stakes work great.
This video series includes the following:
Part 1: How to build a Leaping Arch for an outdoor Christmas light show
Part 2: How to build a Pixel Tree for an outdoor Christmas light show
Part 3: How to build a Pixel Matrix/Pixel Grid for an outdoor Christmas light show
Part 4: How to build a Pixel Wreath for an outdoor Christmas light show
Part 5: How to build a Pixel Snowflake for an outdoor Christmas light show
You can view all these videos in this HOW-TO series here: • How to Build Decoratio...
If you plan to use these elements with Pixel LED lights then you will need a controller, sequencing software, and a show player. For my Christmas Light Show (www.johnsonlightshow.com) I used the SanDevices e682 pixel controller with a Raspberry Pi running the Falcon Pi Player (FPP) software that is freely available through Falcon Christmas (www.falconchristmas.com) or Github for the show player.
For sequencing the show (i.e., Programming the different effects the lights will do) there are many available options in software, some are commercial and some are open source or free. My preferred software is called Vixen 3. Other popular options include Light-O-Rama (also known as Lightorama, Light o rama, or LOR), Light Show Pro, Madrix, Hinkle’s Lighting Sequencer (HLS), Nutcracker, and more.
For your soundtrack you can either create something custom (I used a free program called Audacity) or you can simply download an MP3 or WAV file of music you like and import it into your sequencing software.
Other great resources for getting started and learning more Christmas Lights, Displays, and Light Shows, are listed below:
- DIYC forum (www.doityourselfchristmas.com)
- Falcon Christmas (www.falconchristmas.com)
- Planet Christmas (www.planetchristmas.com)
- Australian Christmas Lighting & Computer Animation Forum (www.auschristmaslighting.com)
Visit my site for more information at: www.johnsonlightshow.com
Like us on Facebook: / johnsonlightshow
Matt Johnson
www.johnsonlightshow.com
2014 Contestant on ABC's "The Great Christmas Light Fight" - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Can we all stop and admire the garage setup for a second please
Derek Maddox I was just thinking that same thing and how much my shop is jealous, hahaha
I just started this year with 25 foot long drive way arches. Having a blast with me new hobby.
I am so jealous of your work shop
Did anyone else have blinding rage about how clean Matt's shop was?!?
Seriously though, great video! In looking forward to watching the whole series and can't wait to expand from LOR to pixels next year.
That garage is immaculate!
I just got to say how impressive your displays are and it's been yours and ESPECIALLY these how-to videos giving me the inspiration to work on my own.
It's slow going and being pieced together over time but I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!
sir, you are a freaking ninja. i was impressed by the light show itself but seeing you build it, the quality and organization of your tools you're the man! have to be some sort of engineer, right? the brass fitting with the bungee/zip-tie, nobody puts that much craftsmanship into things. well done man
Matt, you're great! Thanks for sharing your accomplishments with all of us! You're the king!
Just now getting into this. Matt has done a fantastic job.
Thanks for the tip on the HDPE semi-clear white tubing. This can be used for many projects and does a great job of diffusing pixel strips. Plus it's dirt cheap. Cheers!!
Matt im blown away. This is really impressive.
For anyone wanting to fully diy this build, I found the rebar caps at home depot today January 2018. Only thing I didn't find was the hdpe tubing but that can be ordered from McMaster. Can't wait to build mine.
You did a great job making this step by step how to video. You make it look so easy for us not so talented newbies. Thanks and happy holidays
I do like how you say what parts you have used to do this, & most of all, where to get them. I haven't seen others do that yet. Thanks for that!
Congratulations Matt love your show in your video you never mentioned when you got your lights from
Another outstanding tutorial!
These are great
Matt, thank you for video. I have watched this many a many times. When cutting pixel strip in half...how do i it where do I get the connection
Matt I wanted to thank you for this great video. I built six of these for my display this year and they were (are) a big hit. I love the look (neon). I used 97 pixels in each arch (pixel strips) from RayWu. I put too much tension on the strips at first an actually pulled the solder joints apart on a couple of strips - easy fix but didn't need that much tension. These are so much easier to store than my old PVC pipes with mini lights wrapped (16 channel). Merry Christmas!
Awesome, thank you for sharing! #BestChristamasLights
Matt, what was the length of the pixel strip in the tube that you used?
hi Matt, you didn't mention how you secured the arches once they went out side. I'm assuming that you used re bar but i figured i would ask you.
Any good suggestions on how to shape the tubing without getting kinks in it?
Can you specify what the bend radius was for your light arches ? i think you said the wall thickness was 1/8 " and would love to get the same one you ordered .. what was the ID, OD, wall thichness and Bend Radius for your arches ?
Thank you !
Your the man.
Matt, If you split the lights in half what connection did you use to power the next section.
Hi Matt,
I was wondering if you could do this with Mr Christmas Light Synchronizer? If so could you tell me where you got all your stuff?
Where can more Led strips can be found on leaping arch on Amazon?
How much time would it take to make this light show?
How much money would take to make this light show?
Matt great Video. I just ordered my pipe from the web site that you posted above and 5m strips with 300 5050 leds per strip. Are you sending extra 12v out to those arches from a power supply at both ends to keep up the brightness? or just the power from the controller?
My box still make the lights flash to the music but I have no sound. Speaker? It stopped a week before Christmas but a miracle occurred Christmas Day and it played all day but not since. any suggestions? I changed the fuses but no help.
2 Things, 1 How did you get you're lights to change colors ?, 2. What type of controller did you use ?
nice. but how i program the lights like yours
is the base stable enough that the wind wont knock it over?
I am having trouble finding the pipe hangers that hold the cross member. Does anyone have the actual name and maybe a part number from lowes or home depot?
Do you use a fm transmitter. and if you do, do you know which ones require a license
What size rebar cap did you use?
Matt nice job with this video,you really paid attention to detail.i was wondering when you purchased the tube.did you get hit with a large freight charge.was going to order a 10' piece,they were going to charge me a 65.00 freight fee.did you experience this as well.thanks in advance.
ok I have been trying to search where to get the 2 inch semi transparent hose that you use but I can not find anything on the lowes website for anything that big. Any ideas on that or what I should be looking for.?
Matt do you a how to guide any where that covers the builds of the controllers and wiring?
I saw he put up a link for controllers at the beginning f the video
Matt, why do you prefer Vixen 3 over others like Nutcracker for instance? Does it have more features, etc.?
Do you have a permanent led strip blinking around the decoration above the central door? Or is that just some kind of artifacting of the video?
Can someone tell me what program should I take in college that does this?
Nice video Matt.
thanks for sharing.
Can you be more specific about the 'slits' you make in the tubing?
How long are they? Is the idea that when you squeeze the clamp that it flares out on the bottom to provide more friction to against the rebar cap?
Do you know what size/type/make/source you used for the pipe clamp?
I'm assuming the crossbar is 1/2" electrical conduit, correct?
Also, how do you secure the whole assembly to the ground?
ukewarrior Thanks for these questions, I added the answers to the video description because I am sure a lot of people will wonder the same thing.
You mention the rebar cap used as a base. What is the diameter of the cap? Did you source this at Home Depot or an online source? I find plenty of rebar caps but not sure about the diameter.
Can you link to the lights you got? tried looking them up but lots of different types with various changes per lot. not sure what is what. thanks for the video!
Give these a try: www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5m-DC12V-60leds-m-20pcs-ws2811-ic-meter-20pixels-led-digital-strip-IP68-waterproof-in-silicon/701799_1921783413.html
+Matt Johnson Do these lights work for 2 arches? You didn't mention in the video how long you made the led strip for your arch. The lights linked above are 5m. Cutting that in half gets you just over 8 feet.
Are you a T-1000, T-800 or T-X?
Excellent Video Matt!!! Saw you on the Light Fight and was intrigued by your version of the light arch. Your design is Simplified Perfection!!! Thank you for sharing this...Now it gives me many other ideas for my own display. See you Next Xmas!!!
P.S. Could you tell me what size tube you used? Looks like 1 1/2"...Thanks!
+Mark Da Gardna Did you ever get a answer to this question? I was wondering the same thing?
Gene Berger Yes I did actually! 1 1/2 inch and I bookmarked the website where he purchased the tube...Hope I can find it again...
Matt, I have tried to contact you via your website but the contact form isn't working. How can I contact you to ask a few questions?
I love your how-to videos and am wondering if you made the snowflakes? Did you purchase them whole and where if this is the case? Thank you very much for posting the how-to videos as I have a basis for starting my pixel lights! Look forward for your 2015 year light show!
John Mayer Funny you should ask about the snowflakes, I just walked in from outside working on a video on how to build Pixel wreaths and Pixel snowflakes, both of these elements will be new this year and I am excited about the different effects I can do with them, so subscribe to my channel and stay tuned for them!
Matt Johnson I really look forward to watching it and have subscribed to your channel. Any idea when? I am already working on my show (lor) and the snowflakes are part of my design but haven't been able to figure out the logistics yet. Thanks!!!!
Matt you didn't mention what size tubing you used in this arch
As much as I tried to remember all the details I knew I would forget something :-P The tubing is 2". The McMaster-Carr part number for a 100 foot roll is 50375K64. It can also be purchased in smaller sections.
I love the light show, great videos showing how to do it.
Question, how do you do the lights around the walls, roof and sidewalk.
Thank you
I mount them on rails to give them consistent spacing. I have another video I will post soon showing some of that.
+Matt Johnson would love to see this video...
Can you please add more videos? I want to do this to my house. Making arches as we speak!!!
Here you go, its a whole series on building your own elements: th-cam.com/play/PLOp9Tx63j4ojLndg_GsMVdVZSh_ALLiDf.html
Micah Funderburk Micah, I just posted my "Behind the Scenes" video today which goes into more
detail about how I did everything. You may be
interested in it: @g_hXlKCt11s
+Matt Johnson
On the WS2811; it has 5 wires. Red, Green and White with one plug and a single Red and single White. I noticed on your plug that you ran through the rebar cap that you only had 3 connected. Do I need the single Red and single white wires?
what size tubing are you using? 1 1/2 or 2" thanks
I'm not Matt, but the McMaster part # he gave is for 2". McMaster is great - you can find just about anything on that site. Every time I think I've seen it all, someone comes up with a new find, like this tubing... I had no idea they had that. Gonna get some and build and arch or two. Thanks for the PN Matt!
this is so cool
got a question on your arches, strips are 16.6" long if you cut them in half and the tubes are 91/2' long how does it work wont it be short??bob
Does the lights control work on iMacs I have 3 iMacs and I want to use 3 to do the lights
I believe xLights/Nutcracker will work on the Mac.
dose any one know the name of the intro song???
Hi Matt do you have an email Addy that I can use to ask a few things???..Having trouble dealing with your supplier you used for the pipe...Thanks...
Roger Fettig
Roger Fettig Roger, fill out the contact form at www.johnsonlightshow.com and I will reply to you.
Matt:
Hear is the link for pipe hanger/clamp from home depot. www.homedepot.com/s/2%2520in.%2520Conduit%2520Hanger?NCNI-5
thanks all I could find was the galvanised split ring connectors
You said you'd talk about the controller but didn't. In the video you show RGB lights and RGB wires. This seems to suggests the lights are all on or all off or all of a single color. But the video shows individual light control. How was the arches in the video controlled? What kind of controller? How many channels?
***** your right, I am sorry. I did end up talking about all that but it is in the second half of my "Behind the Scenes" video here: th-cam.com/video/g_hXlKCt11s/w-d-xo.html