HackSignal

The HackSignal - HackPGH's "bat signal" equivalent out of common household parts

Goal: To build an extremely high powered mostly coherent light source to display cutout images on clouds.

Master ToDo

• Source Carbon Rods
  • Carbon Gouging Rods for Arc Gouging (1/4")
• Decide on/Source Materials for Parabola
  • Aluminum Flashing - but how to join it together?
    • Pop Rivets?
    • Chrome Tape?
• Get a Garbage Can Done.
• Build power system
  • High Amperage, lowish (50-60V) voltage
• Build arc PD controller
  • Coils and a spring - see the light source section below.
  • Source the mounting system, or make a mechanical design.
• Build parabola
  • Plans below - need to decide between the two styles.
  • Solve the first style for a 20" wide mouth, 10" deep focal point. Would love some help with this!
• Mount system Done.
  • Reinforce mounts with angled pieces to form triangles.
• Test and refine (Kickstart for more funds?)
• Build cutouts (HackPGH logo, others?)
• Play with device

Hardware

Light Source: Carbon Arc!

• We are totally making one of these PD controllers for arc lamps: http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/popular-mechanics/Amateur-Work-4/Principles-Of-Arc-Lamp-Construction.html
  • Small Change - horizontally mounted carbons with a spring to simulate gravity (providing an I - making it a PID).
• Other Arc Lamp Hacks: http://members.misty.com/don/carbarc.html
• Rod Data: http://www.boyocarbon.com/pro-air%20arc%20gouging%20carbon%20rod-e.htm

Power System: Unknown!

• We need the equivalent system of an arc welder.
  • High Amperage, not High Voltage?
  • Higher Amps - Larger Rods!
• Data on one system: http://einhornpress.com/DIYSpotlighttoSearchlight.aspx

Reflector: Parabola!

• How to Make Big Paraboloids out of flat segments: http://freespace.virgin.net/ljmayes.mal/var/parabola.htm
• Another method of the above: http://ashokk_3.tripod.com/srinivasan.htm
• How to Make a Parabolic Mirror: http://www.ehow.com/how_4612737_parabolic-mirror.html
• Monster Reflector: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?243779-50-inch-Reflector-quot-Monster-Light-quot

Links: Light Design!

• The post that started the idea: http://benkrasnow.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-searchlight-housing-for-1000w-xenon.html
• A 1914 paper on searchlight design: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=14&ved=0CDMQFjADOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fiopscience.iop.org%2F1475-4878%2F15%2F1%2F308%2Fpdf%2Ftov15i1p216.pdf&rct=j&q=design%20of%20large%20searchlight&ei=GfH_TP_fKMOC8ga4m-TvBw&usg=AFQjCNH8FQetgmoWmjr_Prv4bLkuUGUUyA&cad=rja
• CandlePower Forums: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php
• SkyTracker Instructional Manual: http://lighting.ballantyne-omaha.com/DisplayFileObjects.aspx?i=317bb4c1-7f9c-4e15-9264-9021c6b271fa
• Arclight Discussions: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?304040-Mega-Blaster-My-first-short-arc-mod-MegaRay-style
• Big Lights: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?198582-The-BIG-Lights
• Fresnel Lens Solar Beam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RUF_g9nrTY&NR=1
• Sulfur Plasma Light (made with microwaves!): http://www.plasma-i.com/sulphur-plasma-light.htm