How-To Information about Dirknerkle's Lights
| One of the elements of this hobby is that aside from
some of the electronic designs, you usually wind up inventing just about
everything else you build. You build things out of materials that are
generally inexpensive such as plywood, pegboard, PVC plumbing pipe,
plastic, stiff wire, hot-glue, screws, nails, liquid nails, rope, tape,
spray paint, epoxy, perhaps welded metal frames, or whatever is handy.
To say you sometimes must improvise is an understatement. There are
virtually no blueprints. Sure, some project plans are available, but
because everyone's installation is different, any plans that may be
drawn up are done by you. That's part of the joy of this hobby, though,
and it gives you a great sense of satisfaction when you throw the switch
the first time, stand back and watch things light up. Once in a while,
you even get pats on the back -- from family members first, but from
neighbors, too. And you're sure to discover the truth of the phrase from
the movie "Field of Dreams," if you build it, they will
come. Because they will. You don't even have to advertise. You
will suddenly find cars, limos, and perhaps an occasional bus parked out
in the street; its occupants watching your lights dance to the music
transmitted to their car radios via your own short range FM-stereo
transmitter. In these project how-tos, remember that the examples aren't the only ways to accomplish the tasks. There are likely as many different ways to do the same thing as there are DIYC enthusiasts. In each case, I've started the project with a little explanation, and that's key to understanding why I did what I did. When I remembered costs, I've included that as well. |
|
| Projects | |
| Planning your display | |
| Window frames | |
| Building a mega tree | |
| Building a metal-free mini tree | |
| Building a central control box | |
| Wiring your display | |
| Electrical Safety | |
| Selecting & Sequencing Music | |
| Miscellaneous tips |