RGB 6" Balls/Spheres

[dmoore]

Last year I produced what I called RGB MegaTree balls which were 6” Acrylic frosted globes which each contained three basic RGB modules along with a single $6 DMX controller. Everything was wired together with CAT5 cable with power injected over the same cable. Here is a close-up video showing them in operation:

http://vimeo.com/14566642

And here is a video showing them in operation – they are hanging in the Megatree in a spiral pattern over to the left:

http://vimeo.com/18220911

Here is a photo showing the RGB modules, controller and cap:

9874

Most of the parts are just off-the-shelf and with a little glue gun action and soldering they are pretty easy to build. The only custom part is the cap which goes on the top of the globe. The cap provides a water tight seal, a location for the cord, mount for the controller and locations for the screws to attach to the globe. I didn’t intend to produce them since I just made them for my personal display but I’ve had a number of requests to machine these caps. Since the HDPE material to produce them is fairly expensive, I’d need enough orders to make it worthwhile to use up the entire sheet. The overall price of the RGB Ball is:

• 6” Acrylic Globe - $4.50
• Quan 3 of RGB Modules - $3
• DMX Controller - $6.75
• Misc CAT5 and connectors - $3
• Power supply (one per 10 balls) - $1

So, without the cap you have a cost of about $18.25 per ball.

I did some back of the envelope calculations and came up with a price of $2.50 per cap + $9.99 shipping (for as many as you want). If you have interest, please post response here and if I can get buyers for about 250 of them (a full sheet of them), I’ll go ahead and post them at holidaycoro.com for purchase.

Thanks,
David
HolidayCoro.com

[IdunBenhad]

Hi:
First, those balls are great. I liked the snowflakes, too. Only a flake would know if there were 5 or 6 arms.

Now, a couple of questions. Where did you get the RGB modules? I am not up on RGB and DMX, so I have to ask!

Dirknerkles 4 channel REN W4 would be a good controller, but would get very expensive with the XBee modules. However, a version without the XBee and fed by CAT5 would work, too.

Second, did you happen to look into using a cap for a sewer connection for your cap? They come in 3" and 4" sizes and might work for your application. If so, it would save a lot of work and cutting.

[dmoore]

Now, a couple of questions. Where did you get the RGB modules? I am not up on RGB and DMX, so I have to ask!

You can find the basic instructions and purchasing locations here starting on page 9:
http://www.holidaycoro.com/docs/CoroStar%20Assembly%20Instructions.pdf



Second, did you happen to look into using a cap for a sewer connection for your cap? They come in 3" and 4" sizes and might work for your application. If so, it would save a lot of work and cutting.

I considered a number of off-the-shelf solutions including PVC caps. The problem with PVC cap is that it was more expensive, was too tall, didn't have markers for screw location and wasn't as transparent as HDPE.

[dmcole]

David:

First, the CoroStar Assembly Manual -- like all of your backup material, either for print or video -- is simply outstanding.

That said, I have been reluctant to get involved with Ray Wu's three-channel DMX module decoders because of the need to buy the $60+/- start-address programmer. I know I'm not the only one for whom this is a stumbling block. Is there any relief on the horizon (a DYI version? a piece of Windows software?).

Thanks for all your hard work.

\dmc

[dmoore]

David:

First, the CoroStar Assembly Manual -- like all of your backup material, either for print or video -- is simply outstanding.

That said, I have been reluctant to get involved with Ray Wu's three-channel DMX module decoders because of the need to buy the $60+/- start-address programmer. I know I'm not the only one for whom this is a stumbling block. Is there any relief on the horizon (a DYI version? a piece of Windows software?).


Thanks for the positive feedback! I personally find the stand-alone programmer useful. Since I had about 120 of these controllers, it was helpful to be able to program them while I was out in the yard. That said, I can see where people would find a PC based programmer useful and there is a project underway to develop an application here:

http://forums.auschristmaslighting.com/index.php/topic,852.msg6855.html#msg6855

Thanks,
David

[pmscientist]

Sure, there are at least 4 DIY projects I'm aware of, and probably a couple more that I'm not. On this site, there are two, DynamoBen's PropController and jstjohnz' DMX Controller for multiple RGB pixel strings. You can check them both out in the DMX forum section. There's also RJs project at diylightanimation.com, and AussiePhil's Tiger controller on auschristmaslighting.com. I think all of them are under $60 for the controller. All four are DMX based, and will do at least 170 pixels (1 DMX universe) from a single controller, and some up to 680 (4 DMX universes) from a single controller. For a truly bare-bones approach, I actually put together some Arduino code to interface RGB pixels w/Vixen. The code for that is open and posted in the Other Hardware section, and the hardware is $20-30.

Personally, I'd recommend one of the DMX options, but the Arduino+Vixen combination does make for a decent platform until I get a proper pixel controller.

[Entropy]

Those approaches still need dimmer units in each ball (node) - The $60 item in question isn't a controller, but apparently a start address programmer for some fairly inexpensive DMX dimmers.

However - One could probably beat or match the $6.75 DMX controller with a DIY solution. An AVR and three FETs or a ULN2003 (the latter being overkill but cheap and easy) would do the trick.

[dmoore]

However - One could probably beat or match the $6.75 DMX controller with a DIY solution. An AVR and three FETs or a ULN2003 (the latter being overkill but cheap and easy) would do the trick.

I'm all about DIY but it's pretty hard to match around $6-7 for a 3 channel boxed controller with strain reliefs, pig tails, 8 bit/color dimming, short protection and rock solid performance. Oh, and it's already made...I don't have to program or assemble anything.

[dmoore]

I've found enough demand to go ahead and produce these. The purchase link is here: http://www.holidaycoro.com/Other.asp - it is item #27. They are currently $2.51 each with the pre-season discount. This will ship with detailed instructions on how to source the parts and assemble the MegaBall.

Thanks,
David
HolidayCoro.com

[dmoore]

Due to some sourcing issues with the re-seller in China that supplies the DMX controllers, I have ordered them directly and am offering them for $6.94 with the pre-season discount (I'll remove the extra $5.99 shipping charge if order with the Caps so shipping is "free"). There will be a 2-3 week delay on orders containing this item. The controllers can be ordered from http://www.holidaycoro.com/Other.asp - stock #26.

FYI - this is the same controller that is used in the CoroStar and other upcoming 3D Coro designs.

http://www.holidaycoro.com/photos/26.jpg

[dpitts]

Where do you get the balls?

[dmoore]

Where do you get the balls?

All the links to vendor sites are included in the instructions with the cap. The globes themself are about $4.50 each for 6".

[dmoore]

An update on the RGB MegaBalls - I've produced the first run of them and they are ready for shipment today. Due to higher than expected time to machine the plastic, additional post handling and that we are including the screws with the cap - we are going to be raising the price from the current $2.51 to $3.04 (with pre-season discount) starting on Thursday the 17th of March. Go here to order: http://www.holidaycoro.com/Other.asp - item #27.

The documentation is nearing completion and it is VERY comprehensive. Plus as an added bonus, we've developed a method that cuts down assembly time to less than 15 minutes per ball and reduces cost and complexity.

Per-ball pricing with all the wiring, ball, controller, power supply, LEDs and misc. parts is about $20.80, somewhat less when you get to 30+ quantities.

We also have the 3 channel RGB DMX controllers in-stock here: http://www.holidaycoro.com/Other.asp with pre-season discounts!

And last but not least, we have a discounted cap+controller option, http://www.holidaycoro.com/Other.asp - item #41

http://www.holidaycoro.com/photos/41.jpg

[dmoore]

We have posted very detailed instructions to our website here:

http://www.holidaycoro.com/docs/RGB%20MegaBall%20Assembly%20Instructions.pdf

Thanks,
David
HolidayCoro.com

[dirknerkle]

We have posted very detailed instructions to our website here:

http://www.holidaycoro.com/docs/RGB%20MegaBall%20Assembly%20Instructions.pdf

Thanks,
David
HolidayCoro.com

Well done, David. Very thorough, easy-to-follow, and a clever DIY implementation!

[dmoore]

We have switched to a less expensive but still durable plastic and have dropped the price back to $2.49. We also now offer a kit that includes the controller, cap, LEDs module, power supply and screws:

http://www.holidaycoro.com/photos/30.jpg

Thanks,
David
Holidaycoro.com

[kychristmas]

David,
I think kits for non-DMX would be excellent as well. That would go for these or any of your RGB items. So I guess in this case it would be the Caps and RGB Modules. Maybe the discounts are only noticable in Kit quanities with the DMX controllers?

As I have said before, I love your stuff, website, instructions and RGB video series. Your site is great combination of for-profit and DIY Information.

[ukewarrior]

You can further reduce your costs to make these with lower costs LED options with the same 5050 LEDs in a different package:
http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?16221-5050-RGB-LEDs-14-cents-a-piece-already-assembled-great-for-Coro-or-RGB-MegaBalls&p=164475#post164475

[dmoore]

I think kits for non-DMX would be excellent as well. That would go for these or any of your RGB items. So I guess in this case it would be the Caps and RGB Modules. Maybe the discounts are only noticeable in Kit quantities with the DMX controllers?

The reason I have them in a kit is because most of the items are designed around the physical size and wiring layout of the controller. That controller also is generally as cheap or cheaper on a per-channel than a variety of DIY solutions and it includes a mounting box and flying leads making it easier to build for more people. Additionally there are just too many DIY controller possibilities, making documentation complicated. That said, I love seeing the results of others and their adaptations of the products.


As I have said before, I love your stuff, website, instructions and RGB video series. Your site is great combination of for-profit and DIY Information.

Thanks!