Rainbow Floods

[mschell]

At only $15 per flood, the price is a good one. However, I have my doubts as to how far those "little" LEDs will throw a beam.

Over on DIYC, someone posted a link to a video that had "light pillars", which looked like a RGB flood lighting their fence pillars in front of their house. Seems like this would be a good application for the Rainbow Floods.

I've got enough projects to keep me busy for a few more months, so I don't think I'm going to add anything to my list till after the convention.

[John]

Yeah, I'm wondering also how much light they will put out. I do know that at Light-Up Ohio they set up a MM, PortaFlood and Rainbow outside at night for a comparison, Acording to the posts I read, the Rainbow was the "best". BUT....don't know what criteria they measured; spread, stauration, brightness, ???? Don't know. Will soon though.

and I agree on the projects. I'm trying to decide what all "won't" get built this year that was on my project wish list !

I saw the "light pillars" video also, looked kinda cool.

[kidcole]

I missed this topic and just checked the Rainbow site. There's only 3 left. What a great price for having all the components included. I am also curious if by luck the Rainbow RJ45 wiring for RGB & W is the same as what we "documented" for the MMs ? Has anyone compared that ? Since I have not yet connected my wires, I would certainly like to be "Rainbow Ready" without having to have unique RJ connections for each. First I'd like to know if those little LEDs can keep up with MM LEDs ..

I was at Northern Hydraulics the other day and grabbed one of those large yellow floods for something like $7 or $8 .. That's a nice case for the price. We have one of those stores in Cary, so I can pick up some of them if any of you guys want me to get them for you.

I am also with Mark regarding the spread of light. I am going to mount my MMs real close to the upper part of my house so they get a direct small "V" pattern of light. I think the more narrow they can be, the better the effect.

[Al in Raleigh]

I'm not sure those LEDs are the same candela as the MMs. The price is too cheap.

[kidcole]

A friend at work asked me how much power in each LED on the mighty mini board. I could not remember the stats...

[John]

I missed this topic and just checked the Rainbow site. There's only 3 left. What a great price for having all the components included. I am also curious if by luck the Rainbow RJ45 wiring for RGB & W is the same as what we "documented" for the MMs ? Has anyone compared that ? Since I have not yet connected my wires, I would certainly like to be "Rainbow Ready" without having to have unique RJ connections for each. First I'd like to know if those little LEDs can keep up with MM LEDs ..


.

William will probably have his Rainbows built before I do. Maybe he can post pics.

No, the wiring is not the same, for the following reasons:

1. Rainbow is 12 volts, not 24 volts
2. Rainbow uses Red, Green, Blue LEDS - All on for white (no separate white LEDs)

As soon as I can get one of the Rainbows built, I'll do a side by side comparison with pics, I also want to know how they compare.

[Al in Raleigh]

John, when should we discuss the Rainbow refrigerator testing? In addition to the cold testing, I feel musical testing in order. I am thinking show tunes for 24 hours, Yani for 48 hours, Air Supply for 24 hours, Boy George videos for 72 hours, then end up with an end to end playing of Barney's "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family..." for 6 days. Then you can take them out of the refrigerator.

[John]

Sounds like a plan to me Al

But I have to get them assembled first!

Then test!

[scottmcl]

Walter apparently has time on his hands - get him to help you!

[John]

Just so there is no mistaken impressions, regarding the Rainbows and the the Mighty Mini. I am NOT advocating one over the other. I haven't seen the Rainbow in operation, I have seen the MM.

It came down to cost for me. I was needing some more floods. Eight MM weren't getting it done for me, I needed more.

My cost per MM was right at $95 total. (prorating LOR DC card and power supply to each MM)

My "estimated" cost for the Rainbows will be $45 each. Using the same criteria.

Is one better then the other, heck, I don't know yet. But will know soon.

[John]

Walter apparently has time on his hands - get him to help you!

No Scott, Walter is plenty busy trying to get a wife, that he can turn into an exwife. He has a huge project going on already!

[scottmcl]

And man, they cost a WHOLE LOT more than a MM or rainbow!

[ponddude]

I wanted to jump in here, as someone just pointed me in the direction of this topic. Sorry for not being part of the discussion before hand.

I wanted to show off some things that I am not 100% certain if everyone has seen. On my main site there is a page dedicated to the Floods. It shows comparison pictures of a 150watt incandescent spotlight and one single Rainbow Flood. There is also a video of the lights in action, controlled via the Rainbow Brain. Just be aware that the first picture on that page is of the version 1 board. The version 2 board has 2 modular jacks.

http://www.christmasonmanor.com/rain...dlight/rfl.htm

Now I do not have any other lights to compare to compare these too, including the Mighty Mini and the Portaflood, but as many people said, all the Mini's that these lights have been shown at, I have been told people like the Rainbow's the best. I am very happy with the spread of the light. On that page I posted above, the light was shined on the side of my house, which is probably about 30ft wide and 35ft high (plus or minus), and you will see that one single light covered the whole side.

I am currently in prototyping of a Rainbow Spotlight, which uses less LEDs and also puts out a smaller area of coverage. It truly is just a spotlight, which can very easily accent a tree or fountain.

I have attached the spec sheet for the LEDs that are used on the floods. This will give you an idea of what the output of the LEDs are.

Also, these boards are not setup to add white LEDs to them. They are clearly RGB. Pins 1 and 2 are for red, 3 and 4 for green and 7 and 8 are for blue.

Right now all the floods are sold out, but a new order is on the way. You can still place an order online, but I will not be shipping until the floods get here. Probably about 2 weeks, if not less. Also, fully assembled lights have been ordered and are being made in Malaysia. They will be here by the end of the month...I hope. Customs has been giving me issues.

Anyway, if anyone has any questions about any of my stuff, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at greg@christmasonmanor.com. Or, if you want, join our forums dedicated to these lights at www.christmasonmanor.com/forum.

Greg

[wbottomley]

Soldered one together this evening and will connect this sucker to some juice to see the results.

I have a new respect for the DIY folks!

[John]

Hey, good job! I haven't started on mine yet