LED-Illuminated Star
"And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they had made.."
The star screwed together.
The boards are 10' one-by-fours (3m x 2.5cm x 10cm).
Upright
The finished height is 9' (2.75m)
Here is where the star will be mounted.
Had to kill a rattlesnake during construction of the mount.
I was face down with my right arm fully extended into the post hole when I heard him...
Dead snake - closer.
M'dog distracted the snake long enough for me to kill him with the posthole digger.
Headless snake.
The star showing the mounted channel raceway
which will hold the light rope.
The LED light rope
The bulge in the power cord is the rectifier which produces the direct current needed to operate the LEDs.
Installing the light rope.
It will require 71' (21.6m) of light rope to go around the star twice.
The light rope installed and plugged in.
The star mounted.
Operating.
Power consumption: 64 watts.
It can be seen a mile away (1.6km).
Morning star..
Here's a later, improved version.
Larger - about 13' (4m) tall; more light rope added; LED "halo effect" lamps added to the tips. Power consumption: about 165 watts. This version looks striking when viewed from several hundred yards and beyond. The digital camera imperfectly captures the look.
LED "halo" lamp.
These lamps (warm white PAR20 equivalent) have their reflective lenses removed to provide wider light dispersion. They've also been 'weather proofed' with RTV to prevent moisture entry. (There goes the warranty.)
This
Photo Relay
turns the star off during the day.
