Giant Christmas Lights

thingiverse

I have a giant maple tree on my front yard. It would take hundreds of Christmas lights to makes a good effect. So, what do we do? Install only a few bigger lights, a lot bigger! This design contains all you need to create giant lights based on 10W RGB spotlights. Available at the usual suppliers and Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B075GHSYM8). You may also use white spotlights with colored bulbs. If you do not want/like to solder do not worry, there is an alternative. Keep reading… You may also be interested by: Giant Christmas Lights for LED Strips https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4664477 Giant Christmas Lights for IKEA Strala https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4667631 <b>Printing</b> The printing is simple. The giant bulb is 234mm high and there is a smaller one at 150mm. The bulb can be printed with support “touching build plate only” at the bottom only. NO NEED TO SUPPORT THE TOP! This will save printing time. There is a flat inside at the top for a better exterior finish (at the expense of a darker area). <b>Assembly</b> You need to remove the lens and keep the silicone gasket. Some gaskets were sticked to the lens. A narrow (1/4) wood chisel is best to release the two. Begin by testing the bulb threads. Screw the bulb to the base, ¼ turn at the time. If it gets stuck, go back and forth a ¼ turn. If it gets really stuck DO NOT FORCE IT: you will break the bulb (I did!). I made a wrench & removal tool to help unscrew the bulb. I glued a transparent plastic to the base to prevent any debris to enter the spotlight when stored. DON’T EXPECT IT TO WATERPROOF THE SPOTLIGHT. Water WILL enter if the light is facing up! <b>Hooks & wiring</b> I used some 16AWG speaker wire ( https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B006LW0W5Y ). The pictures are self-explanatories for the hookup inside the hook. You need 3 M3x10 screws and 3 M3 nuts. You may also use the “solderless” hook if you want. Notice how the zip tie is placed to hold the wire connectors close to the hook. Yes, the water will enter the connector, unless you live in the north like me. There are 2 sizes and two kinds of hooks. Pick the one that suits you best.