Flag Poles and Fairy lights -- "how I Done It" --

Dellmassive

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Flag Poles and Fairy lights -- "how I Done It" --




Its that time of year again, suns out, weathers warm, beer is cold - its festival time =]

well for us any excuse to have a get together or party . . .

This time we look at Flag poles and Fairy lights.


My first attempt at Camp lighting was many years ago at some random camping trip when i used some re-purposed Christmas tree fairy lights . . .

years later . . . . . .

This was Silverstone F1 in 2015 . . .

1597311299161.png

1597311246011.png

The idea was to add some internal tent lighting,

it was all running off a small inverter that was connected to a Leisure battery outside the tent. . . that was running the fridges and chargers etc.


Moving on, . . . by 2017 we had added more fairy lights to the kit and was now lighting up the outside of the tent and also the guy lines . . . . to stop twits falling over them. (as seemed to happen fairly often back then)


1597311522317.png

later in 2017 we added more lights again . . .

This was Debden 2017 . . .


1597311673417.png

1597311710233.png

1597311733078.png


lets look at how it worked . . .

Rough camping we had no EHU and didnt want to draw power from the car or van (didnt want a flat battery when stuck in a field)

so the solution was self powered.



Back then it was:

12v leisure battery,
battery box
small 240v inverter
extension lead,
fairly lights
clips.

***********************

A basic 12v SLA battery done the job . . (it was pre-charged at home before the trip)



1597312040393.png


next up was a battery box, this was a convenient place to store the battery outside of the tent (due to any gasses the battery may vent off),

but also get one big enough to fit in the small inverter and 12v socket . . . .




1597312246812.png



next up was the inverter . . . . . we started with one of these, as it was small, almost silent and didnt get too warm when running,

we connected it to the battery in the battery box so it was all self contained.




1597312429467.png

.

we connected it to the battery with one of these . . . . .

and added a second one for any 12v kit we had . . . . ie 12v air pump for the tent and 12v USB charger etc.




1597312551379.png



.

next up was an extension lead . . . . i like the ones with switches on as its easier to turn things on/off as needed..

Like lights on at nigh time.

The lead was long enough to reach from the battery box outside to inside the tent via the EHU cable entry . . .




1597312706208.png


RCD protection . . . . .

240v mains is dangerous in any setting. . . . in a camper install a RCD + MCB is a requirment.

as is with a temp EHU . . .

A tent is no different . . . .

some people maybe happy with adding a mobile RCD . . . .

plug in ,. . . .




1597312920404.png



or in line . . . .



1597313016336.png



.


what about the lights . . .

any lights will, its all personal preference, . . .

i use this type now . . . . .





1597313220225.png

they are safe to use as the 240v stays at the plug pack . . .

the outging wire/cable is low voltage , , , , , so if the worst happens and someone trips over it or damages the wire there is no scary 240v to worry about, just a damaged wire.


1597313342663.png



what about clipping then up?


well over the years I've tried allsorts.

xmas gutter light hangers . . .
sandwich bag twists.
hairbands,
electic bands
electrical tape,
velcro strips,
etc etc etc . . . .

my final solution is the humble plastic clamp . . . . . .

they are easy/fast to put on/off
dont leave any gluey stuff,
clip to almost anything,
water proof,
you get the idea . . . . . . just an easy solution.

I've got a whole bucket full of different sizes . . . . but if your just looking at fairly lights then the small size works great . . .




1597313671193.png

1597313700790.png

1597312404431.png
 
p2

Ding Ding its round two - flag poles

i love flag poles . . . . . and again any excuse to get my pole out im there =]

garden or festival party you gota have a pole . . .

in the early days a flag pole was just that . . . . . a pole for flags.

nower days we have LED flag poles, spinners, windsocks . . . . the list goes on . . .


this was our first flag pole . . .



1597315760308.png

we took it to Silverstone F1 2015 . . . .

1597315798785.png

this guys was walking about with a flag pole , , ,

1597315843331.png

but for now well stick with this style . . .

1597315876240.png


this was 2019 T6F summer camps pole . . . . .

1597315959030.png

and 2020 T6F summer camps pole . . . . .

1597316034263.png



so what do we need?

well for the most part:

flag pole
pole stake,
flag
spinner.

For the most part the main players for poles are Brookite and Spirit of air . . . . . they come in a variety of sizes . . . the most common are 4, 6, 8 meters.

i prefer the Brookite ones.




1597316257004.png
**



1597316224981.png


**



1597316311498.png

the main poles we have (and shown above) are 8m poles . . .

we have two of the 8 meter ones . . . .





1597317308167.png

we also have a couple of the 4 meter poles too. . .


1597317406270.png

..

****************************************************************

stakes...

stakes are a very important part of your flag pole setup.

they are hammered into the ground, then you drop your pole ontop of them.

they mostly come in two sizes . . . regular and super size.

the regular . . . .

1m (100cm) Long x 10mm (1cm) Thickness - Solid GRP Stake







1597318382695.png


and the super pole . . . . . .; ;.

20mm x 1metre






1597318467440.png


They say the standard stake is good for up to 4mtr pole . . .

and super stake for anything above 4mtrs.


they also say for example use 2xstandard steaks for better holding . . . . . phooey !!!

In our experience the standard stakes are rubbish, for anything but a 3mtrs pole . . . .

If the ground is soft or there is any wind the pole will be blown over before you know it . . . .

so the advice is not to bother with the standard stake and just go for the super stakes . . . .

we have four of them and they work with thge 4m poles upwards . . . . .


Edit:

i forgot to mention you need a decent rubber mallet for the stakes . . .

"dont use a metal hammer otherwise the GRP stake will shatter and splinter."

get a decent lumpy rubber mallet like this one . . . . .





1597355236866.png


if needs must etc and you forgot your mallet . . . .

use a piece of wood over the stake . . . . then hit that with the hammer . . . . or large rock.


****************************************************************


store bags.. . . . . . . .

what about bags or storing your poles?

with this little lot it can be tricky storing them all . . .

the stakes get muddy etc etc . . .


1597317535145.png

so we use these windbreak pole storage bags . . .







1597317679822.png

we have the:

VCOOL T6 bag:


1597317806597.png


spirit of air store bag:



1597317990238.png


Ducks Back small:





1597317910141.png
 
Last edited:
p3

flags and spinners . . .

so what do you put on your pole . . . .

well flags !!

the standard 3ft x 5ft flags fit nicley.

they normally come with eyelets that enable you to connect with flag bungees . .





1597318953017.png






1597319155462.png


what about make your own?




1597319226198.png





********************************************************************************
flag bungees.

these are used to attached the flag to the pole . . .

just put the loop through the flag eyelet and wrap around the ball...




1597319755674.png


********************************************************************************

spinners and windsocks . . . . . . .

spinners and windsocks have grown in popularity over the years . . . they dont do much, but look cool.

heres an example. . . . . . .







1597320284572.png

They normally come with the spinner detachment, if not you can get your own . . .





1597320215339.png








******************************************************************************

cookie Flags . . . . .


theres a whole sub thread for Cookie flags here :








***********************************************************************************

just had to add our one . . . . . now weve got it.

the proof . . .

1596642006086.png





.....

and the final result . . .


1596642041170.png





...



Get your own one here :




Home | cookie-cartooney

www.cookie-cartoonery.co.uk
www.cookie-cartoonery.co.uk




. *****************************







some T6F flags left over in the for sale section . . .





**********************************
 
Last edited:
p4

led strip


lighting up you pole . . . .



There are two main types of flag pole LED strips,

Standard RGB and Digital Dream LED . . . . .

both normally come in a 5m lenght and are run from a 12v power source.


*********************
SO whats the difference between the RGB and the WS2811 (Dream LED) strips?

100% awesomeness upgrade . . .

look here:

Dream LED, ws2811 addressable

Mains Powered Digital 5M Flag Pole Led Dream Lights IR Remote Controlled
IR Remote control mains powered 5M PU Coated (waterproof) led strip, their are some 300 different functions, very high brightness low power consumption. Comes with Mains Adaptor to convert mains to 12VDC. IR remote control to replace the older RF ver
www.flagpolelights.co.uk
www.flagpolelights.co.uk


1595416122423.png







vs

plane RGB here . . .

12V 5M RGB Flag Pole Set - Waterproof RF Remote Controller - 12V Flag pole LED Lights
Colour changing 3528 RGB 5M Led Stripe Lights. Leds are in a IP67 rated comes in a flexible Silicon Tube making these waterproof Comes with 2M Cigarette Socket working off 12VDC, Comes with new RF remote controll no need to point at receiver as works o
www.flagpolelights.co.uk
www.flagpolelights.co.uk


1595416175139.png







********************

basically the standard RGB strips are just that the whole strip as one colour at a time . . .

with the DIGITAL dream strips lead LED (or group of 3) is individually addressable meaning you get some awesome graphic effects


then you get various upgrades, more leds per meter, brighter leds, single addressable or 3led addressable.

The controller are also different.


Dream LED has power and data, the data is decoded at the LED via a chip . .

3wire . . .


1595415801610.png




where as the standard RGB controller . . .

the RGB control is done inside the controller, with 4(RGB+0v) or 5(RGBW+0v) wire controllers, that just switch on the whole strip colours.


1595415946420.png



***********

when you see them next to each other in the wild there is no comparison.

.....................................


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*******************************************************************************************************************************************************

Dream LED:



heres an example of a 12v Dream LED ws2811 kit.




1597321294266.png


*******************************************************************************

ws2811 controllers . . . .


this is the main controller i use . . . its RF so will work from your pocket and doesn't need direct line of site . . . you can yurn your flag pole lights on & off from your tent 20meters away . . .

you just plug in you 12v lead in one side and 3wire LED in the other side . . . .




1597321448503.png

#

there are also Bluetooth versions about, . . . .

you download a free APP on your phone and control the lights from there . . . .



1597322395074.png1597322438387.png




you can even get fancy sound activated controllers like this one . . .




1597322671125.png



ws2811 strips:




The LED strips or tape are supplied in various options, as seen here.

the main difference is the use case or waterproof - ness.





1597322772962.png




ip30: are for indoor use and come with a sticky back to stick too and around things . . . . like your tv cabinet at home. these are not designed for flag poles. They are very delicate and will be damaged very easily.

1597323014691.png

  • Black FPC 5M IP30 30LEDS
  • LED Type: 5050 + WS2811 IC
  • Working Voltage: 12V
  • Color: RGB
  • Every three LEDs lamp(one 2811IC) can be arbitrary cut off, good flexibility, easy installation, can be arbitrary bending.



***

ip65: are the same as above but come with a clear gel coating over the pcb site so they are effectively shower/waterproof . . . i use these in the garden stuck to the shed.

they are waterproof but still very delicate . . . . . these can be used on flag poles . . . . but be careful with them, they are very delicate and get damaged very easily.



1597323183805.png

  • Black FPC 5M IP65 60LEDS
  • LED Type: 5050 + WS2811 IC
  • Working Voltage: 12V
  • Color: RGB
  • Every three LEDs lamp(one 2811IC) can be arbitrary cut off, good flexibility, easy installation, can be arbitrary bending.



***



ip67: The daddy of flagpole LED strips . . . these are again the same as above, but this time are fully enclosed in a silicone rubber jacket, making them fully waterproof and much rugged than the previous versions . .

these are the ones i recommend. . . .

1597323365055.png

  • Black FPC 5M IP67 60LEDS
  • LED Type: 5050 + WS2811 IC
  • Working Voltage: 12V
  • Color: RGB
  • Every three LEDs lamp(one 2811IC) can be arbitrary cut off, good flexibility, easy installation, can be arbitrary bending.




*********************************************************

There are some new kiddies on the block too . . .

these poped up in the USA a few years back and have started to become more wide spread in the UK . .

FYI - these are what @Deaky has on his awning . . .


they are effectively and all-in-one pixle per lamp unit . . .

NOTE: although these are ws2811 etc, they run at 5v and require a different controller that above . . . . so are not compatible with the above controllers etc.





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1597324649230.png





*******************************************************************************************************************************************************

RGB LED:



standard RGB was the original led strip, . . . . . . . . . . .

these enable full colours to be shown and also fads between whole colours . . . but no fancy graphics as with the dream leds . . .


again the strips are available in

ip30
ip65
ip67

and various lengths, normally up to 5m


they are normally 12v dc powered by either a mains transformer or 12v plug . . .

they are normally much cheaper that dream led kits.

they are normally 4 or 5 wire . . .

RGB and DREAM controllers and strips are not compatible, !!!!!

1597324841589.png

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***




1597324975679.png


.




again . . . various RGB controller are availible.



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10 meter kits are availible, which normally comprise of 2x 5m strips . .






1597325103252.png

************


as with most of these kits . . .

you can adapt the mains version to a 12v battery version by getting a 12v cable.

most kits use the 2.1mm standard 12v adapter lead . . .




1597325243538.png



***************************************************************************************************************

edit . . . .


LED ws2811 controller

LED2017-IR

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Last edited:
p5

Powering and Charging your flag pole . . .




you can see from the 1st post that we used a 12v leisure battery and inverter to run the fairly lights,

and in part-4 we looked at 12v LED strip lights either 240v or 12v dc . . . .


As most ws2811/RGB LED controllers are 12v we can normally swap out the mains transformer for one of the 12v cables like this . . .





1597325594690.png



you can also extend the 2.1mm x 5.5mm cable to reach your flag pole with a extension cable like this . . . .







1597325692237.png


.

so thats getting the power to the pole sorted . . . . .

what about the battery . . .


*************************************************************



I like to use these Alarm style battery's as they are sealed and easy to look after . . .





1597326095983.png



and dont forget the good old 12v leisure battery . . .



1597326241279.png



These 12v batteries can be charged at home with you standard 12v car charger and then bought to site . . .


i use one of these CTEK 5.0 chargers for all the small stuff . . . .




1597326346222.png


cheaper unbranded versions are also availible . . . .





1597326837361.png


****************************************


what’s the power consumption of 5m dream strip . . ..

3x 5mtr strips running at around 13w.


***************************************

so what about connecting the flag pole to the battery?




...


i used a 12v socket like this . .

12V Extension Cable,LST Cigarette Lighter Cable Extension Female Socket with Eyelet Terminal O Ring Terminal Connector for Car with 15A Fuse: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
Buy 12V Extension Cable, LST Cigarette Lighter Cable Extension Female Socket with Eyelet Terminal O Ring Terminal Connector for Car with 15A Fuse at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.
amzn.to



1596567059482.png




.


with some of these crimp conectors . . .

Crimp Connectors, 330pcs Spade Connectors and Fork Connecors Insulated Electrical Connectors: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
Shop Crimp Connectors, 330pcs Spade Connectors and Fork Connecors Insulated Electrical Connectors. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.
amzn.to




1596567112462.png



.


heres another example . . . this time with crock clips . . .






1597327403335.png




*********************************************

what about charging on the go . . . ?


no problem . . .

remember those handy mobile solar kits . . . . . . . . > Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

well the 50w and 100w kits double up as a flag pole charger . . . .


this is a 120w BlueFusion . . .


1597327631581.png

.

connected up like this . . .


1597327659921.png


qust


heres the 50w kit . . . .

1597327724668.png


.

and the cracking Renogy shower Proof PWM controller . . .


1597327771283.png
.





1597328447625.png




super easy, . . . fused battery clips . . . . plug in and charge in sun =]


1597327814979.png



fused crock leads . . . .


1597327892826.png


**********


bluefusion 50w solar kit . . .




1597328035790.png
.

to hack any kit from crock clips to 12v socket . . . .

just get one of these 12v extension cales and cut it in half etc . . .

then wire it into your solar controller . . . .




1597328207374.png



.



*****************************************


So what does it look like . . . . . ?


well this is some ws2811 strip on the gazebo . .

1597328528450.png1597328556219.png1597328575728.png

1597327680608.png


*******************************************************************************************************

another interesting little gadget is this highlighted to me bu T6F member @True Romance

its a 5v USB to 12v DC converter (step up converter)

its rated at 8w . . .

so the idea being you can run your lights from a USB power bank . . . . very interesting . . .





*********************************************************************************************************
 
Last edited:
p6

as you can see the guys love it . . . .

1597328678950.png

using the ws2811 SP102e RF controller . . .


1597328746161.png

which comes with these buttons . . .

1597328770514.png


you can see the rubber jacket here - that keeps it waterproof . . .


1597328805700.png


..

and the end of the cable here . . . again waterproof . .


1597328837311.png


So what does my setup look like . . . . . . ?


we have this strip . . .


1597328959357.png

with this controller . . .


1597328982077.png

..

plugged into that 12v to 2.1mm extension lead . . . .

1597329026113.png



...


which plugs into the 12v socket lead . . .



1597329713771.png

then onto the 12v battery . . . .


1597329752384.png



and then finally . . . . .


into a plastic sandwich bag . . . . . . . . . . . rough and ready, but does the job.


1597329811666.png



i dont normally worry about this bit in regards to the rain . . .

its supposed to be shower proof . . . . . . so thats good enough for me.


1597329867577.png


...

The next time is to attached to the pole . . . . . .


i always do it with the pole fully extended out on the floor . . . .

then unrole the LED strip and use electrical tape to fix it.


I've tried velco etc etc etc etc . . . . .

i just find leccy tape quick and easy . . .


then drop the pole on your stake and your good to go . . . .


Que collection of generic flag pole pics . . . .



1597330412277.png1597330443018.png1597330452671.png1597330594137.png


1597330613426.png1597330636071.png1597330648110.png1597330669277.png
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
p8


Flags and stuff . . .






.
 
Last edited:
p10

reserved for any questions people ask . . . . . . .

got a question? - ask it.




1-

how long will my flag pole lights last on a battery . . . ?


5mtr Dream LED ws2811 kit on 12v . . . .

draws . .

solid colours:

red 600ma
green 600ma
blue 600ma
white 800ma

animation . .

50ma - 600ma.

so say 0.5Amp.

*************************************************************************

so 20ah battery with 50% DOD is 10ah . . .
10ah divided by 0.5A = 20hrs . . .
20hrs divided by 6hrs running per night = 3.5 days camping

*************************************************************************

so 20ah battery with 50% DOD is 10ah . . .
10ah divided by 0.1A = 100hrs . . .
100hrs divided by 6hrs running per night = 16.5 days camping

*************************************************************************

That means your flag pole will last 3-16 days on a 20ah battery depending on the setting.

*************************************************************************






link to a short video i done on the whatsapp group for the T6F summer camp . . . .

@VanDamMan .




.
 
Last edited:
@Dellmassive. Do you have a link to those bad boys
  • Black FPC 5M IP67 60LEDS
  • LED Type: 5050 + WS2811 IC
  • Working Voltage: 12V
  • Color: RGB
  • Every three LEDs lamp(one 2811IC) can be arbitrary cut off, good flexibility, easy installation, can be arbitrary bending.
Are they the "Super Duper " ones ?
 
@Dellmassive. Do you have a link to those bad boys
  • Black FPC 5M IP67 60LEDS
  • LED Type: 5050 + WS2811 IC
  • Working Voltage: 12V
  • Color: RGB
  • Every three LEDs lamp(one 2811IC) can be arbitrary cut off, good flexibility, easy installation, can be arbitrary bending.
Are they the "Super Duper " ones ?


yes super dooper ws2811 dream LEDs . .



£13.50 for 5mtrs black pcb, ip67 waterproof, ws2811


1597332154269.png


....


RF controller:


£5.48



1597332266613.png


***


12v cable . . . .

£6.38


1597332375027.png
 
*******************************************************************************************************

another interesting little gadget is this highlighted to me bu T6F member @True Romance

its a 5v USB to 12v DC converter (step up converter)

its rated at 8w . . .

so the idea being you can run your lights from a USB power bank . . . . very interesting . . .





1597337493041.png


*********************************************************************************************************



I've already grabbed on and will start testing as soon as it arrives . . .


how does it work? . . . . . . . . . .


well you play the USB end into a USB power bank, like this 20000mA Anker one . .




1597337650249.png


or this . . . . 20000mA RAVpower power bank.


1597337744309.png


then it step-up the 5v power to 12v dc socket, so you can run tour flag pole lights from that , . . .


testing soon . . .


..*****************************************************************


to go with it i grabbed one of the Anker 20000mA USB battery banks . . . .

15% off atm . . . so thats£4.50 off =]


1597338409858.png
 
Been running for over an hour now with no issuse. Did unplug it to move the led's and took a few attempts pushing in the 12v socket to work again so may be a little temperamental? Power bank was 50% charged before using and still the same after an hour.

*edit* over two hours now. One bar down on power bank.
 
Last edited:
A short while back I bought these from Lidl - they had plenty of stock at the time, they're 12v,
about a tenner as I recall, maybe a bit more. They come only with a 12v mains PSU, but its easy to make
up a 12v lead, its just a common barrel plug. Has a remote and does loads of fancy patterns...

IMG_20200813_181731.jpg
 
Lets take a LED Pole / vote . . . . . (get it !!!)

just chose your "like" icon below for this post to cast your vote . . . . .


these are the options . . . . . --> 1597347311902.png

******************************************************************************

1597347357269.png = I have standard RGB flag pole lights

1597347412129.png = i have fancy Dream ws2811 LED flag pole lights

1597347450221.png - i HATE flag pole lights

1597347466361.png = i dont have a Flag pole anyway

******************************************************************************
 
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