Planning for 2009

Well, we are in the final week of the 2008 display and it's time to think about next season. I am thinking of adding a couple of elements to the show next season.

The first element will be LPG flame projectors. I may be making these myself or ordering them a source in China.

Here's an example of what I am talking about:

Now that the big tree is reliable (rebuilt it for this season from steel tubing) it's time to think of ways to take it to the next level. One thing I am considering is a layer of individually controllable LED modules so I can 'project' simple video elements on the surface of the tree. Here's a video from someone who is experimenting with this this year..

The other things I am planning to do are focused on improving existing elements of the show or generally making it easier to set up the display.

1. Create 'wiring harnesses' as I take the display down this year. This should cut a little time from setup next season.

2. Definitely will need more foggers next season and better weather/temperature control for the lasers...

3. Need to put MUCH more time into my sequencing next season to give the show much more of cohesive feel and much more professional and polished.

Keeping the Lasers Warm

Well, the lasers haven't debuted in this season's display yet due to a complication I should have foreseen. One of the things about Laser Diodes is that they lose a lot of power when the operating temperature falls below design specs. That means about 50 degrees fahrenheit...

So... I built some insulated cases for them. The larger one is my RGB laser and the two smaller ones are the green lasers.

The boxes are not the prettiest thing, but in 17 degree temperature last night, they stayed a toasty 60 degrees inside. They are made from 1x3 stock and luan, with foam insulation. The window is special anti-reflective glass so as not to lose laser power.

Inside are small enclosure heaters I picked up on eBay.. they have a built in thermistor and will not exceed 65 degrees.