I had some time today so I modified my Halloween Big Bat to work with some solar yard lights from Harbor Freight (https://www.harborfreight.com/solar-decorative-led-lights-3-pc-69462.html). These have mixed reviews on Amazon but good reviews at Harbor Freight, but I have seen them in use for a year or so at a neighbors, so I think they will work OK. I just picked up some of these today and am charging them up, but in the meantime, I am also printing the smaller version to check the fit.
These will have 2 or 3 parts, with a bat, the back cover and an insert (to be printed in clear or possibly glow PLA). The insert may be optional but I need to see how it looks without the insert to know for sure. The larger version will require some M3x6mm screws (yeah it's a weird size but an M3x10 may work if a nut is added as a spacer. As always, I will post this up to Thingiverse when it is ready, and I'm putting a rush on this since Halloween is right around the corner.
These will have 2 or 3 parts, with a bat, the back cover and an insert (to be printed in clear or possibly glow PLA). The insert may be optional but I need to see how it looks without the insert to know for sure. The larger version will require some M3x6mm screws (yeah it's a weird size but an M3x10 may work if a nut is added as a spacer. As always, I will post this up to Thingiverse when it is ready, and I'm putting a rush on this since Halloween is right around the corner.
 |  |
Maybe a few more if I have time to print them:
 |  |
Update 10/18/2021: I think I have the designs finalized and have printed a couple of tests, but I still need to re-print everything to verify things work, so I will end up with a couple extra bats. My test print of the ghost failed about 80% through since I had to use ABS and it popped off the bed (it was the only type I had in clear), but I got enough printed to confirm it will work and looks really cool with the LED inside. I will reprint it with a brim next time. The models should print with minimal supports, though obviously the Jack-o-Lantern will need some, it should not matter how ugly it looks inside (real Jack-O-Lanterns are stringy inside anyway :D). I expect it will be the end of the week before these are tested and then I will post them up.
These will need Black, Orange and Clear filaments (or they could be painted). Clear is a requirement however since the LED's need to be able to show through the material.
The pic below was a test of the smaller bat, the larger one will be 1.5x as large and I have made a few changes to the design as well (but the changes won't affect the overall appearance).
Update 10/19/2021: The Ghost was printed and looks great (I think :D). I printed with 2 walls, 2 top layers which I probably should have used 4 or 6, but it still works, and I used 24% gyroid infill with 3 steps. The infill and thin walls makes it look like there is something going on inside, but I'm sure it could be printed with other settings just fine (though I suggest sticking with gyroid for the infill on this).
 |  |
I also printed a clear back for the Bigger Bat, which gives it a cool background glow effect. I still need to print the Jack-O-Lantern and test it out but things are on track to post these up later this week.
Update 10/21/2021 - the Jack-O-Lantern is on the printer now (this after one failed attempt to print it due to a clog with old filament). The print will take about 11 hours on my Ender 3. It would have been 14 hours but to save some time I used these settings:
If it checks out I will post it up ASAP so folks can get them printed before Halloween. I plan to enter it into the Halloween contests at PrusaPrinters and Instructables too. I will post links for all the sites this is posted to once the models are all tested and ready to go, and would appreciate any votes given.
- 0.24mm layers (0.4mm nozzle)
- 2 walls
- 3 top and bottom layers
- 24% gyroid infill (with 3 gradual infill steps at 1.5mm each)
- speed 70mm/s
- supports (56% overhang)
If it checks out I will post it up ASAP so folks can get them printed before Halloween. I plan to enter it into the Halloween contests at PrusaPrinters and Instructables too. I will post links for all the sites this is posted to once the models are all tested and ready to go, and would appreciate any votes given.
Update 10/22/2021 - Everything is printed and posted now. I only made some minor changes to the Jack-O-Lantern design to increase the strenghth of the model, specifically around the screw holes, so that low infill can be used and they will still be strong. These are posted at both PrusaPrinters and Instructables:
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/82330-halloween-yard-solar-rgb-led-toppers-ghost-bat-and
https://www.instructables.com/Halloween-Yard-Solar-RGB-LED-Toppers-Ghost-Bat-and/
These are also entered in the Halloween contests at both sites. If you make one please post your prints to either of those sites. I plan to upload this to thingiverse soon.
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/82330-halloween-yard-solar-rgb-led-toppers-ghost-bat-and
https://www.instructables.com/Halloween-Yard-Solar-RGB-LED-Toppers-Ghost-Bat-and/
These are also entered in the Halloween contests at both sites. If you make one please post your prints to either of those sites. I plan to upload this to thingiverse soon.
RSS Feed
