HackSignal
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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?
- Aluminum Flashing - but how to join it together?
Get a Garbage CanDone.- 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.
Mount systemDone.- 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!
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