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Light O'Rama - anyone use it?
Howard_Casto:
--- Quote from: lilshawn on December 29, 2012, 06:40:34 pm ---Using an old microwave transformer, one can build a low voltage high current spot welder for less than $10 in parts.
--- End quote ---
I would be interested in a how-to on this.
If you don't want to weld you can wrap the wire by looping it around the joints tightly. You'll need thin gauge wire but since it's a home display it doesn't have to be super sturdy. A bit of epoxy or whatever at each loop should keep it from sliding around.
One note about rope lights is the non-led ones use a ton of electricity. Also I've yet to buy one that's lasted more than 5-7 years, which is actually pretty good, but you'll have to throw the whole rope out when a section goes bad as there isn't a cost-effective way to repair them.
There are these remote controlled boxes to "animate" your lights that they sell every year for around 20 bucks. All it really consists of is a switch box with three outlets that allows you to blink each outlet in sequence, fade them all, do "demo" effects, or fade from one to the next. For simple neon-style effects that shold be more than enough... thrre frames of animation essentially. You'd just need cords to hook all the frame one strings into the first plug, ect.... I use them and they are pretty reliable.
The only thing is when ever the switch box turns on, it defaults to all on, so you have to get out the remote and set it. This could easily be fixed by wiring a ac switched relay to the proper button on the remote and hooking it up to your timer.
I hope some of that is useful. :)
lilshawn:
WARNING!
standard hazards regarding high voltages that can kill you. don't be dumb. etc. i absolve all responsibility for your dumb actions. Provided you proceed with caution and common sense...you'll come out alive.
--- Quote ---This project uses 110V AC. There are sections of the device that can deliver a deadly shock to the operator. One should take all the necassary precautions both when building or operating. If possible wires carrying 110V should never be exposed as casual contact can lead to a shock.
Mar connectors, soldering, junction boxes and electrical tape used properly can save your life.
If you don't know what you are doing or if you have never attempted projects involving 110V please don't learn the hard way. Go to Home Depot and take a wiring work shop or something.
--- End quote ---
http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Spot-Welder/
it's not pretty, but it gives you the basics. make yourself a nice wooden clamp with some HEAVY copper wire.
i would also reccomend some nice heavy carbon brushes as contacts...copper will heat up and oxidize on you.
Howard_Casto:
Looks easy enough but man, I don't like the bit about sawing off the secondary coil. Nick the pirmary too much and you'd get errant sparks all over the place.
I also don't like the copper pipe either. You could use it, but I would reccomened running a heavy gauge, insulated wire inside the pipes instead (I'm talking massive, like those used to wire the main lines into your house's electrcial box.) and maybe use a bit of ceramic or plastic on the ends to electrically isolate the contact tips from the pipe. I'd wrap the crap out of them with electrical tape anyway. Still that's pretty awesome. I never knew that a spot welder was just a glorified transformer.
ChadTower:
Heh, I think I'll just wire wrap and put some epoxy to hold it or use screw clamps.
I am going to try and find a couple of those boxes Howard mentioned and play around with them.
This one looks promising for a prototype.
Howard_Casto:
You've got to be careful with the ones with a single pushbutton. Much like the ones with a remote, they usually don't remember the settings when the power is turned off. With a remote you can change it while in the house, but with a button, man... that would be annoying.
I'm not familiar with that particular box, so I'd ask around if I were you.
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