10spd
Offline
Yuma, AZ

Hey, Gang!
So im trying to scale up my stage set a little bit, and I'd like to add one piece of lighting in particular.
I'm totally down for DIY, but I'm a huge dunce with this stuff. So let me spell it out.

I'm looking to build a "wall" of light tubes. Fluorescent is fine, but I imagine that LED tubes are probably a better option. Not to mention the option of color, programmability, etc that LEDs would afford.

The basic look would end up being something like:

I have no idea where to begin with this project. As I said before, It would be neat if it could do some various chase patterns and things of that nature, but at this point, i'm just looking for it to work AT ALL.
Could anyone out there help me reel in the scope of this project? Parts, process, etc.
Alternatively, does anyone want to just quote me a price to have one built?

Thanks y'all

zerolanding
Offline
Easton, PA, USA

get an arduino, get some rgb leds, this will be small scale, but do that first and the rest is up to you

spacetownsavior
Offline
San Diego, CA

you can just grab a couple programmable LED strips and put those into a tube: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/12027

if you're looking for more programmability (I'm sorry) this kickstarter project got funded a couple months ago and looks to be in good shape: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/740 … reinvented

then just grab a bunch of translucent or transparent (depending on your effect) tubes and throw the LEDs in, hook them up to an arduino, power them and then do whatever you want! that's how I'd approach it anyway

EDIT: they look pretty sweet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyXX5xsy1sA#t=41

Last edited by spacetownsavior (Nov 4, 2013 10:26 pm)

kitsch
Offline
matt's mind

^ those LED strips are pretty easy to address too, sparkfun has supported that product well with libraries and whatnot for arduino,

you could make a pretty simple back drop with those, for a minimal investment too. 

used this strip in a summer project, in fact.  works great, and is very sturdy and built well so you shouldn't have to worry about it breaking on you  during traveling or setup

Limitbreak
Offline
Arizona

I don't have any input on constructing these 10spd, but its cool to see another AZ person here.

arfink
Offline
Minneapolis

If you want the tubes, you can find them here:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-plast … ng/=p8mm04

That's polycarb, which for stage work I would suggest as it's less likely to get smashed up like acrylic would. To frost it, you could use sandpaper, sandblasting, or some kind of etchant perhaps.

10spd
Offline
Yuma, AZ

All great stuff here!
Thank you for the links and such. I am a huge dummy when it comes to this side of things, and it's nice to have something to go off of.
How approachable is the arduino for a novice?


@Limitbreak - Where are you in AZ? I just played a show in PHX last weekend with MegaRan, D&D Sluggers, Prof Shyguy, Amanda Lepre, and BFAD (Phx Local). Would love to meet some more az chip heads.

Limitbreak
Offline
Arizona
10spd wrote:

All great stuff here!
Thank you for the links and such. I am a huge dummy when it comes to this side of things, and it's nice to have something to go off of.
How approachable is the arduino for a novice?


@Limitbreak - Where are you in AZ? I just played a show in PHX last weekend with MegaRan, D&D Sluggers, Prof Shyguy, Amanda Lepre, and BFAD (Phx Local). Would love to meet some more az chip heads.

I'm down south. About an hour from Tucson. I'm slowly starting to find out there's more of us in AZ than I thought. I thought it was just Yes_Pizza and I. I'm glad that's not the case.

We'll have to keep in touch and organize more shows.

10spd
Offline
Yuma, AZ

Yeah let's do it!