Difference between revisions of "Big Coroplast Pumpkin"

From diychristmas.org wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Improved wording and readability, clarified construction details, updated terminology, and preserved the original project design and assembly instructions.)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
−
This big coro pumpkin has been a Halloween favorite of our visitors for many, many years.
+
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 & AC SSRs, short cat5 cables.
+
:* 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 testing, the back was mounted and painted.
+
:* 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.
  
Line 27: Line 30:
 
[[File:4-power.JPG|400px]]  [[File:5-finished back.JPG|400px]]  [[File:6-handle.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. We used our FM transmitter to transmit the music to the radio.
+
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.

0-bigpumpkin.JPG

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.

1-front.JPG 2-back.JPG 3-controller side.JPG

4-power.JPG 5-finished back.JPG 6-handle.JPG

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.


7-radio.JPG