Difference between revisions of "Big Coroplast Pumpkin"
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ErnieHorning (talk | contribs) (Improved wording and readability, clarified construction details, updated terminology, and preserved the original project design and assembly instructions.) |
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| − | This | + | This large Coroplast pumpkin has been a Halloween favorite of our visitors for many years. This article documents one method of constructing the prop using a wooden frame, mini-lights, and a Renard lighting controller. |
| + | |||
[[File:0-bigpumpkin.JPG|center|600px]] | [[File:0-bigpumpkin.JPG|center|600px]] | ||
| Line 6: | Line 7: | ||
:* 2x4's for framing | :* 2x4's for framing | ||
:* Assorted washers, sheetrock screws | :* Assorted washers, sheetrock screws | ||
| − | :* Wireless Renard controller | + | :* Wireless Renard controller (wireless in this example) |
| + | :* AC SSR's | ||
| + | :* Short CAT5 cables. | ||
:* 8 strings of mini-lights | :* 8 strings of mini-lights | ||
:* Suitable AC SSRs to control the lights | :* Suitable AC SSRs to control the lights | ||
| Line 20: | Line 23: | ||
:* Controller and SSRs were mounted inside the box. | :* Controller and SSRs were mounted inside the box. | ||
:* A multi-outlet terminal strip was included for the electronics. | :* A multi-outlet terminal strip was included for the electronics. | ||
| − | :* After | + | :* After the wiring and lighting were tested, the plywood back was installed and painted flat black. |
:* To protect the mini-light bulbs, four 1" standoffs were mounted on the four front corners of the face. This allows the whole box to rest against a wall without fear that the bulbs will be crushed or pushed back into the inside. | :* To protect the mini-light bulbs, four 1" standoffs were mounted on the four front corners of the face. This allows the whole box to rest against a wall without fear that the bulbs will be crushed or pushed back into the inside. | ||
| − | [[File:1-front.JPG| | + | [[File:1-front.JPG|400px]] [[File:2-back.JPG|400px]] [[File:3-controller side.JPG|300px]] |
| + | |||
| + | [[File:4-power.JPG|400px]] [[File:5-finished back.JPG|400px]] [[File:6-handle.JPG|300px]] | ||
| − | + | Since all the visitors were on-foot, we needed outdoor sound. We put a clock radio inside a marine battery box for protection and put the speakers on either side of the display. An FM transmitter was used to broadcast the audio to the radio. | |
| − | |||
[[File:7-radio.JPG|300px]] | [[File:7-radio.JPG|300px]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:22, 23 July 2026
This large Coroplast pumpkin has been a Halloween favorite of our visitors for many years. This article documents one method of constructing the prop using a wooden frame, mini-lights, and a Renard lighting controller.
Materials
- Large coro pumpkin (originally purchased from HolidayCoro.com)
- 2x4's for framing
- Assorted washers, sheetrock screws
- Wireless Renard controller (wireless in this example)
- AC SSR's
- Short CAT5 cables.
- 8 strings of mini-lights
- Suitable AC SSRs to control the lights
- 1/4" plywood sheet for back
- Flat black paint
- 4 1"-long piece of PVC pipe for standoffs (to protect the mini-lights)
- Metal door handle
- Misc. extension cords
Assembly
- A box frame was made out of 2x4s and the coro face mounted on it.
- Lights were inserted from the back through the pre-punched holes in the coro.
- Controller and SSRs were mounted inside the box.
- A multi-outlet terminal strip was included for the electronics.
- After the wiring and lighting were tested, the plywood back was installed and painted flat black.
- To protect the mini-light bulbs, four 1" standoffs were mounted on the four front corners of the face. This allows the whole box to rest against a wall without fear that the bulbs will be crushed or pushed back into the inside.
Since all the visitors were on-foot, we needed outdoor sound. We put a clock radio inside a marine battery box for protection and put the speakers on either side of the display. An FM transmitter was used to broadcast the audio to the radio.
