Feb 14 2007
So Much For Global Warming
It’s been pretty cold and gloomy down here recently. Not as bad as those people in Chicago, who are digging out of a blizzard, but crappy nonetheless. It’s been bouncing between 40′s to 50′s for the most part, with some nicer days here and there. Still, it’s been about 40 degress warmer here than in Chicago, so I can’t complain too much.
Nothing too exciting to report. Just staying inside a lot and working. Evelyn finished her prototype sign and is now starting work on the larger LED version. It should be pretty cool, with about 200 LEDs which “chase” each other in a pattern.
One Response to “So Much For Global Warming”
Unfortunately, we’ve already shipped the sign so can’t do the video.
On the closeup pic you can see the little dots of light. Those are the fiber optics. Basically, the two strands (blue and yellow) flash.
We took apart a kids “light up necklace” to get the LED, fiber, and flashing chip. It was a cheap way ($1) to get the parts we needed.
The problem is that the cheap (and thin) fiber breaks easily so the sign isn’t as bright as we want it. That’s why we’re going with LEDs for the big sign. Though it’s a lot more wiring, it’s cheaper than getting good (and wide) fiber. We’ll probably spend $80 on LEDs…Allied Electronics has some good prices. Better than places like Jameco.