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elektroda.net NewsGroups Forum Index - Electronic for beginners - Helium balloon and Xmas lights
W. eWatson
Guest
Guest
Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:13 pm
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Dan Coby
Guest
Guest
Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:49 pm
On 12/6/2011 11:13 AM, W. eWatson wrote:
Quote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I
plan to turn on the lights at 6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use. I'll
probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
plan to turn on the lights at 6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use. I'll
probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
You will need more balloon. A helium filled balloon will lift about
one ounce per cubic foot. Your 10 to 15 gallon garbage bag will have a
volume of 1.3 to 2 cubic feet.
W. eWatson
Guest
Guest
Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:37 pm
On 12/6/2011 11:49 AM, Dan Coby wrote:
Quote:
On 12/6/2011 11:13 AM, W. eWatson wrote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries.
The string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I
plan to turn on the lights at 6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I
would need to pull the balloon down and disengage the power. Maybe
there's some simple timer I could use. I'll
probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce the
weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with
helium.
Comments?
You will need more balloon. A helium filled balloon will lift about
one ounce per cubic foot. Your 10 to 15 gallon garbage bag will have a
volume of 1.3 to 2 cubic feet.
Thanks. That could simplify matters. Two lights and a single AA battery.
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries.
The string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I
plan to turn on the lights at 6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I
would need to pull the balloon down and disengage the power. Maybe
there's some simple timer I could use. I'll
probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce the
weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with
helium.
Comments?
You will need more balloon. A helium filled balloon will lift about
one ounce per cubic foot. Your 10 to 15 gallon garbage bag will have a
volume of 1.3 to 2 cubic feet.
Thanks. That could simplify matters. Two lights and a single AA battery.
I could get to 28 gallons.
Possibly a better idea is to get a 15' wooden pole and drive it into the
ground. Drive a 3' pipe into the ground, and put the pole in it. I
already have one like that for a bird perch. I can supply the power from
an outlet up front on our property. I could still use small balloons to
afix the lights to, and the effect would be that the lights move around
with the wind. Some things to think about. I can use a timer on the ground.
Winston
Guest
Guest
Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:46 pm
W. eWatson wrote:
Quote:
On 12/6/2011 11:49 AM, Dan Coby wrote:
On 12/6/2011 11:13 AM, W. eWatson wrote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries.
The string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I
plan to turn on the lights at 6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I
would need to pull the balloon down and disengage the power. Maybe
there's some simple timer I could use. I'll
probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce the
weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with
helium.
Comments?
You will need more balloon. A helium filled balloon will lift about
one ounce per cubic foot. Your 10 to 15 gallon garbage bag will have a
volume of 1.3 to 2 cubic feet.
Thanks. That could simplify matters. Two lights and a single AA battery.
I could get to 28 gallons.
Possibly a better idea is to get a 15' wooden pole and drive it into the
ground. Drive a 3' pipe into the ground, and put the pole in it. I
already have one like that for a bird perch. I can supply the power from
an outlet up front on our property. I could still use small balloons to
afix the lights to, and the effect would be that the lights move around
with the wind. Some things to think about. I can use a timer on the ground.
On 12/6/2011 11:13 AM, W. eWatson wrote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries.
The string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I
plan to turn on the lights at 6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I
would need to pull the balloon down and disengage the power. Maybe
there's some simple timer I could use. I'll
probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce the
weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with
helium.
Comments?
You will need more balloon. A helium filled balloon will lift about
one ounce per cubic foot. Your 10 to 15 gallon garbage bag will have a
volume of 1.3 to 2 cubic feet.
Thanks. That could simplify matters. Two lights and a single AA battery.
I could get to 28 gallons.
Possibly a better idea is to get a 15' wooden pole and drive it into the
ground. Drive a 3' pipe into the ground, and put the pole in it. I
already have one like that for a bird perch. I can supply the power from
an outlet up front on our property. I could still use small balloons to
afix the lights to, and the effect would be that the lights move around
with the wind. Some things to think about. I can use a timer on the ground.
Or nix the balloon(s) and affix lights to a long piece of
welding rod. (Which does not explore the countryside
if it suffers metal fatigue and snaps). :)
--Winston
Kaz Kylheku
Guest
Guest
Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:26 pm
On 2011-12-06, W. eWatson <wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
Quote:
Comments?
Hydrogen balloons, arc lamps.
Tom Biasi
Guest
Guest
Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:37 am
On Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:13:21 -0800, "W. eWatson"
<wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
Quote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Why don't you leave the batteries on the ground end?
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Why don't you leave the batteries on the ground end?
George Herold
Guest
Guest
Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:25 am
On Dec 6, 2:13 pm, "W. eWatson" <wolftra...@invalid.com> wrote:
Quote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium..
Comments?
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium..
Comments?
Helium is expensive
George H.
W. eWatson
Guest
Guest
Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:45 pm
On 12/6/2011 7:37 PM, Tom Biasi wrote:
Quote:
On Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:13:21 -0800, "W. eWatson"
wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Why don't you leave the batteries on the ground end?
Not a bad idea, bit the wire might be too heavy.
wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Why don't you leave the batteries on the ground end?
Not a bad idea, bit the wire might be too heavy.
Tom Biasi
Guest
Guest
Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:47 pm
On Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:45:04 -0800, "W. eWatson"
<wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
Quote:
On 12/6/2011 7:37 PM, Tom Biasi wrote:
On Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:13:21 -0800, "W. eWatson"
wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Why don't you leave the batteries on the ground end?
Not a bad idea, bit the wire might be too heavy.
You can find some light wire, very thin.
On Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:13:21 -0800, "W. eWatson"
wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Why don't you leave the batteries on the ground end?
Not a bad idea, bit the wire might be too heavy.
You can find some light wire, very thin.
Keep in mind the electroststic hazard and possible contact with
overhead wires.
Kaz Kylheku
Guest
Guest
Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:40 pm
On 2011-12-07, W. eWatson <wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
Quote:
On 12/6/2011 7:37 PM, Tom Biasi wrote:
On Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:13:21 -0800, "W. eWatson"
wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Why don't you leave the batteries on the ground end?
Not a bad idea, bit the wire might be too heavy.
On Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:13:21 -0800, "W. eWatson"
wolftracks_at_invalid.com> wrote:
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Why don't you leave the batteries on the ground end?
Not a bad idea, bit the wire might be too heavy.
Make it a stiff metal rod.
fungus
Guest
Guest
Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:56 pm
On Dec 7, 6:45 pm, "W. eWatson" <wolftra...@invalid.com> wrote:
Quote:
Not a bad idea, bit the wire might be too heavy.
I dunno, you can get some pretty light wires.
eg. A quarter pound of this wire measures 314 feet
but it would easily be strong enough tether a balloon
(unless the wind is very strong).
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MW-26-4/26-AWG-MAGNET-WIRE-1/4-LB-ROLL/1.html
nb. A very thin wire will have some voltage drop due to
resistance. For sixty feet of wire (30 up, 30 down) you'll
need to boost the voltage to compensate. Add batteries
until the voltage at the lights measures in the right range.
(You can also Google for an AWG chart and do the math
to get a good idea of the extra voltage needed...)
BeeJ
Guest
Guest
Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:34 am
Use a clear bag and put the lights inside!
I use to use dry cleaning bags that were clear.
I used natural gas in one bag and it lifted an incandescent lamp and
battery just fine. This was about 40 years ago.
--- Posted via news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to news_at_netfront.net ---
JW
Guest
Guest
Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:07 pm
On Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:34:15 -0800 BeeJ <nospam_at_spamnot.com> wrote in
Message id: <jbpenf$11uc$1_at_adenine.netfront.net>:
Quote:
Use a clear bag and put the lights inside!
I use to use dry cleaning bags that were clear.
I used natural gas in one bag and it lifted an incandescent lamp and
battery just fine. This was about 40 years ago.
I use to use dry cleaning bags that were clear.
I used natural gas in one bag and it lifted an incandescent lamp and
battery just fine. This was about 40 years ago.
Why am I having visions of shooting a flaming arrow at that?
ObBeavisandButthead: "hehehehe... that'd be cool!"
Michael A. Terrell
Guest
Guest
Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:20 pm
JW wrote:
Quote:
On Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:34:15 -0800 BeeJ <nospam_at_spamnot.com> wrote in
Message id: <jbpenf$11uc$1_at_adenine.netfront.net>:
Use a clear bag and put the lights inside!
I use to use dry cleaning bags that were clear.
I used natural gas in one bag and it lifted an incandescent lamp and
battery just fine. This was about 40 years ago.
Why am I having visions of shooting a flaming arrow at that?
Radio controlled spark generator.
--
You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense.
Rich Grise
Guest
Guest
Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:42 am
W. eWatson wrote:
Quote:
I have a string of about 8 Xmas lights that run off two C batteries. The
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
string is 4' long, and weighs about 1/4 pound. I plan to launch a
tethered (30') balloon before the 25th. I plan to turn on the lights at
6 pm and off at 10 pm. Presently, I would need to pull the balloon down
and disengage the power. Maybe there's some simple timer I could use.
I'll probably use two AA batteries instead of the C batteries to reduce
the weight. Two C batteries weigh about 2/3 pound.
My balloon will probably be a 10-15 gallon garbage bag filled with helium.
Comments?
Do you plan to pull it down at 10 PM and put it away? Or leave it up there,
just off? You could probably get some lightweight 2-conductor wire that
you could string along with the balloon's string, with a switch at the
low end.
If I was gonna use the timer idea, I'd probably do one of the standard
4017/watch crystal things.
Have Fun!
Rich
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