Difference between revisions of "Animated Noel Sign"

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Here's a project that's easy and fun to do... It makes a very large animated sign -- nearly an entire garage door width.
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Here's a project that's easy and fun to do... It makes a very large animated sign -- nearly an entire garage door width. Video: [https://vimeo.com/133000611 '''HERE''']
  
 
'''Materials:'''
 
'''Materials:'''
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:* Zip ties
 
:* Zip ties
 
:* 675-Plus or other controller
 
:* 675-Plus or other controller
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::: The DIGWDF 675 controller is not a necessity -- one could just as easily use any AC controller (for AC ropelight) or DC controller (for LED ropelight) that allowed individual circuit control. In this build, four "channels" were used: one for the "NOEL" and three for the three bells. Any controller that has 4-channel capability could suffice to control this display.
  
 
'''Assembly:'''
 
'''Assembly:'''
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'''Noel Sign Firmware for the 12F675 chip (both asm and HEX files included)'''
 
'''Noel Sign Firmware for the 12F675 chip (both asm and HEX files included)'''
 
::[[File:NoelSign675Firmware.zip]]
 
::[[File:NoelSign675Firmware.zip]]
 
:* Note
 
::: The DIGWDF 675 controller is not a necessity -- one could just as easily use any AC controller (for AC ropelight) or DC controller (for LED ropelight) that allowed individual circuit control. In this build, four "channels" were used: one for the "NOEL" and three for the three bells. Any controller that has 4-channel capability could suffice to control this display.
 
  
  

Latest revision as of 06:19, 11 May 2020

Here's a project that's easy and fun to do... It makes a very large animated sign -- nearly an entire garage door width. Video: HERE

Materials:

  • An old mattress spring from a queen-size bed
  • 9-gauge galvanized wire (Lowes)
  • Rope Light
  • MetalCast paint (to paint the rope light)
  • Black electrical tape
  • Zip ties
  • 675-Plus or other controller
The DIGWDF 675 controller is not a necessity -- one could just as easily use any AC controller (for AC ropelight) or DC controller (for LED ropelight) that allowed individual circuit control. In this build, four "channels" were used: one for the "NOEL" and three for the three bells. Any controller that has 4-channel capability could suffice to control this display.

Assembly:

  • Dismantle the mattress to get the large spring grid frame that's the foundation for the mattress.
  • Shape 3 bells out of the 9-gauge wire; weld each bell together, but keep the bells separate.
  • Wrap the rope light onto the mattress frame to spell out "Noel." We decided cursive was easier than block lettering.
  • Zip-tie the rope light to the frame. Use the black electrical tape to cover sections you don't want to show.
  • Zip-tie rope light onto each bell.
  • Zip-tie the bells to the frame - overlap how you like.
  • Mount the controller, wire the 675-Plus's outputs to the bells and the "Noel" text.
  • Set the 675's firmware to turn channel 1 on continuously (for "Noel") and animate only channels 2-3-4. When the 675 is powered on, it will light and keep "Noel" on but animate the 3 bells.
  • Spray the rope light with MetalCast paint if you want bright colors.

Noel Sign Firmware for the 12F675 chip (both asm and HEX files included)

File:NoelSign675Firmware.zip


Photos:

4-wire.JPG 3bells.JPG

Controller-3.JPG Noel sign.png