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HowTo: A low cost lighting sequencer (Pt 1)
( Roger Otis)
Step 9 : Lighting Strips
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| | The lighting strips are about 82 inches long. I used two 50 lamp strings (one red, one green) for each two strips. The strings run up one side, over the top of the tree and down the opposite side. I spaced the lamps farther apart at the top half of the tree, since adjacent lamps are closer together at the top. The length and spacing of the lamps could be affected by the strings of lights used. The lamp spacing of the strings must be far enough apart to be spread out along the lighting strips or the size of the tree must be adjusted. The strips are painted white.
The strips are made by cutting slots or dadoes about half way through 1/2" x 1/2" wood strips. The depth may have to be adjusted to fit your lamp holders. The slots may be cut in a 1/2" thick board and then ripped into ½” wide strips. Two strips are nailed together with the slots facing each other. This forms an opening to hold one red and one green lamp at each slot. Note: Two lamps at the upper ends of the strips are not placed in slots. This provides the clearance needed to allow connection of the strips at the top of the tree. An eye screw is placed in the upper ends of each set of lighting strips. One side of each strip has an angled cut to provide clearance at the top of the tree. Each pair of strips is hooked over the hooks at the top of the tree so that they are on opposite sides of the tree. It can be a little tricky getting the last few strips in place. Some of the wiring and lamps between each pair of strips can go over the top of the disc at the top of the tree and others can be slid under the strips already in place and be below the disk. Number 20 or 22 gauge wire is then run through the hole in the lower support and around each strip to hold it in place. The wire does not need to be too tight.
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