I’m a transplant to NC and miss the snow. For the last few years, I’ve tried a couple “falling snow” projectors for the front of my house. Some are better than others, but they are all pretty poor.
Last week I started experimenting with actual video projectors and videos that simulate falling snow. (These are easy to find on YT and I have edited them for appropriate size, color, brightness, and contrast.) I experimented with a couple video projectors out in the back yard and I think this will work well. I was able to buy a couple used Epson Model 99WH 1280x800 video projectors very cheaply to use for this project. They are pretty bright (claimed 3000 lumens) and are able to play the video from a USB flash drive without a PC. They can also repeat the video continuously.
Now I’m considering how to place them in my front yard. Ideally, they should be at least a couple feet off the ground to reduce keystoning. I want to protect them from direct rain, but they need to have sufficient ventilation to stay cool enough for operation. I also have to consider whether I can secure them well enough to leave them outside all the time.
I’m currently thinking of using a couple folding TV trays. The legs hopefully minimize killing any grass. I may try to fabricate a couple covers out of galvanized flashing, which I know I can get in 16" width fairly cheaply and can cut with tin snips. I can put a couple screw anchors in the ground and wire the projector (which has a handle slot) and table to the anchor.
I’ve considered inverting a plastic storage tub over the projector and cutting out an area for the lens, but I’m afraid the fan exhaust will melt it eventually. I can find metal project boxes for $30 or so, but they are just barely big enough for the projector. Even if they can take the heat, the projector would definitely need more ventilation and cooling.
Anybody got any ideas? A friend suggested I get some plastic milk bottle crates and stack them, placing the projector in the bottom of the second crate with an appropriate opening cut for the lens. Then screw metal flashing to the sides and top to make a little pitched or rounded roof. He thinks the ventilation will be very good with all the openings and it will be light enough to move around easily. I can add a crate to get more height.
I don’t mind spending money on a good plan, but I’d rather not have a custom structure designed at the local fab shop.
You could attach a piece of plywood on the top platform and put bolts through the plywood into the projector’s feet. (I’m guessing the feet are threaded. Use appropriate spacers to control the projector’s tilt.
To cover and weatherproof you could use custom-bent flashing, or (as you mentioned) a piece of cut-up plastic. A pan. A big plant saucer like this. Some thought will be needed to secure any type of cover, but working with bolts and plywood is generally easy.
Here are the specs for your projector. About 12” x 10” x 3.5” . Three LCD bulb. 200 watts. That’s just medium hot. Keep the plastic 3/4” from the hottest part and you should be fine. Obviously take serious care to avoid shocks.
All good points. The assembly needs to be temporary, perhaps even taken down at the end of each evening.
I’m beginning to lean towards the stackable plastic milk crates. I can add one or two to adjust the height as needed. The bottoms would be upwards. Place the projector on the top of a stack of two or three and then use a final crate with a hole cut for the lens as a cover. I could form some 16" flashing around the top crate and secure it with sheet metal screws, leaving enough of an opening at front and rear for the lens and to reach controls. Once I put the cover crate on, I could use some bungies to tie the stack together. I like that the open grate design will allow any water that gets under the top crate to just drain right through, Also, I can pick up the whole stack and carry it from place to place quite easily.
I was thinking stack two milk crates and put the projector on them. Then up-end a plastic garbage can and cover it all. Cut a hole a hole in the plastic for access to the lens/buttons etc.
I hadn’t thought of that. It would also make the whole assembly look a little more neutral, as long as I choose a basic, cylindrical trash container. And I guess I could use anything at all under the projector, since it will be shielded on all sides.
I wonder if I need to vent it somehow? The projector only uses about 300 watts, but I know heat builds up quickly in an enclosed container like that.
Yes. I’m thinking that I could pop a few holes around the bottom edge and then a couple near the top at points far away from the projector. I also just happen to have a couple wifi temperature sensors, so I could track the temps for a day or two.
I’m not sure yet exactly how high the projector needs to be. It may be that I can use a rectangular 32 gallon storage tub instead of a trash can. This would be a lower profile and cheaper. I (obviously) don’t need handles to carry any great weight. It would also keep the projector farther away from the plastic on all sides.
Small dog kennels mounted on plastic crates would be my first thought. Plenty of ventilation, and little chance of rain getting in if they are set well back in the kennel. Also a little more attractive than a cylindrical trash container.
Holy cow! This looks like a great idea. I can get a 28" dog house for $30 on Amazon. Plus, I can get a couple strings of lights and decorate them like small houses in the front yard. (Hmmm…build it out to be a village scene?) I can use a small bike lock and cable to secure the projector. It seems unlikely that someone will try to steal a dog house. Guess I can secure the dog house with a screw anchor, too.
So I now have two or three options. My (used) video projectors should get here in the next few days. I can see what kind of distance and height I need for a good image on the front of my house.
