P1000 My DIY Whips

[Robobrainiac]

haha my whips have no written or implied warranty. But for the cost of 1 pair of millar twisted 5v whips i can build 3 sets of mine and have some cash left over. so i'd have to break 6 whips before i was at any kind of a loss vs their lifetime warranty. I'm fine with that.

Also FYI the Millar controllers can almost control everyone else's whips the friend with the dream extreme whips learned he could change everyone's color and probably changed the color on about 50 machines at the Halloween ride. He thought it was hilarious.

 

[Admin]

 

[Robobrainiac]

Cool. Then I will wait for your findings before I start on my next whips. Until then I will try to improve what I currently have. Thank you!

I will hopefully get my hands on them in the next couple of weeks to do exactly that for myself. I'll pass along any information i can get. I agreed to take on some interesting builds over the weekend. It will be a couple of weeks but i'll be turning out a set just like these but with blacklight strips for a friends rzr with solid white plastics and a neon yellow/green power coated frame and bumpers. Should really make it pop at night.

 

[SuperMidget]

Also FYI the Millar controllers can almost control everyone else's whips the friend with the dream extreme whips learned he could change everyone's color and probably changed the color on about 50 machines at the Halloween ride. He thought it was hilarious.

I know and that was part of why i searched out a different controller than they use. The 366 pattern controller i linked in the 1st post has an option to hold the bottom left button locking the controller to that remote only.

 

[Adam490]

Almost finished wiring up my DIY whips. They look really good so far except for the base. If we could find a good base solution on the cheap I think these would look every bit as good as any of the pricier prebuilt options out there. I've been thinking of using quick disconnect air fittings, but that'll be for the next set. Taking my time wiring these guys up.

In researching all the LEDs and pieces and parts, I came across some nice prebuilt 3' pairs with RF and Bluetooth app control for a good deal. I'll be testing them out soon and hopefully be able to offer them for sale.

DIY on right, prebuilt on left.

 

[SuperMidget]

Almost finished wiring up my DIY whips. They look really good so far except for the base. If we could find a good base solution on the cheap I think these would look every bit as good as any of the pricier prebuilt options out there. I've been thinking of using quick disconnect air fittings, but that'll be for the next set. Taking my time wiring these guys up.

View attachment 232187

In researching all the LEDs and pieces and parts, I came across some nice prebuilt 3' pairs with RF and Bluetooth app control for a good deal. I'll be testing them out soon and hopefully be able to offer them for sale.

DIY on right, prebuilt on left.

View attachment 232188

An air chuck is exactly what I was looking at the other day. Its as simple as finding a bolt with the right npt thread to screw it onto really. Those look good

 

[Robobrainiac]

Almost finished wiring up my DIY whips. They look really good so far except for the base. If we could find a good base solution on the cheap I think these would look every bit as good as any of the pricier prebuilt options out there. I've been thinking of using quick disconnect air fittings, but that'll be for the next set. Taking my time wiring these guys up.

View attachment 232187

In researching all the LEDs and pieces and parts, I came across some nice prebuilt 3' pairs with RF and Bluetooth app control for a good deal. I'll be testing them out soon and hopefully be able to offer them for sale.

DIY on right, prebuilt on left.

View attachment 232188

I am remaking mine soon and these are the bases I have picked out for my next whip

https://amazon.com/Tram-CB-Antenna-217/dp/B08KWD2R3V?tag=sxsweb24-20

What did you use for the tip?

 

[Adam490]

I am remaking mine soon and these are the bases I have picked out for my next whip

https://amazon.com/Tram-CB-Antenna-217/dp/B08KWD2R3V?tag=sxsweb24-20

What did you use for the tip?

Those look good, let us know how they work out.

I bought these:

Pack of 10 1" Round Black Vinyl Caps

 

[Robobrainiac]

Those look good, let us know how they work out.

I bought these:

Pack of 10 1" Round Black Vinyl Caps

Thank you. The tips on my first attempt of whips did not turn out as clean as yours

 

[Adam490]

Thank you. The tips on my first attempt of whips did not turn out as clean as yours

View attachment 232322

I added a thin layer of silicone around the top and then twisted them on so it got spread around in there. Cleaned up the excess with a damp rag.

 

[Adam490]

@SuperMidget - I finally got all my wires run and everything hooked up. Flipped the switch and only one whip lights up? Then as I was playing with the remote I noticed that the wires coming from the controller to the 12v power were so hot I couldn't touch it. Unplugged everything...

Does the controller need to be on the 5v side? I have it wired into the input side of the converter. After wiring in a new controller into the 5v side I got nothing. Checked and it's only putting out 1.85v on the 5v side. Guess I fried it? Thought I may have a short but everything was wired correctly and solid. Maybe I just got a dud converter? It gets super hot.

 

[SuperMidget]

@SuperMidget - I finally got all my wires run and everything hooked up. Flipped the switch and only one whip lights up? Then as I was playing with the remote I noticed that the wires coming from the controller to the 12v power were so hot I couldn't touch it. Unplugged everything...

Does the controller need to be on the 5v side? I have it wired into the input side of the converter. After wiring in a new controller into the 5v side I got nothing. Checked and it's only putting out 1.85v on the 5v side. Guess I fried it? Thought I may have a short but everything was wired correctly and solid. Maybe I just got a dud converter? It gets super hot.

View attachment 232652

Battery into 5v transformer, then transformer output out to controller.

 

[SuperMidget]

Knocked out a blacklight set tonight for a friend. Should look pretty sweet once installed. Going on a rzr along with 8 blacklight rock lights.

 

[Robobrainiac]

How come you use the converter rather than a controller that directly plugs into 12v like this one

https://amazon.com/BTF-LIGHTING-WS2812B-SP601E-Bluetooth-Controller/dp/B088LZC1MJ?tag=sxsweb24-20

Knocked out a blacklight set tonight for a friend. Should look pretty sweet once installed.

View attachment 232681 View attachment 232682 View attachment 232683 View attachment 232684 View attachment 232685 View attachment 232686

 

[SuperMidget]

How come you use the converter rather than a controller that directly plugs into 12v like this one

https://amazon.com/BTF-LIGHTING-WS2812B-SP601E-Bluetooth-Controller/dp/B088LZC1MJ?tag=sxsweb24-20

Ws2812b led strips are 5v. Most controllers work in a range from 5v to 24v. But the led strip you use determines the voltage input required.

 

[Adam490]

Battery into 5v transformer, then transformer output out to controller.

Yeah, I think I've got a bum converter. Amazon sent another one this morning so hopefully that fixes it.

 

[Robobrainiac]

Ws2812b led strips are 5v. Most controllers work in a range from 5v to 24v. But the led strip you use determines the voltage input required.

So I would still have to use the converter with the controller?

 

[Adam490]

So I would still have to use the converter with the controller?

Yes, in the info for that controller you linked it says if you've got 5v LED's, you need to use a 5v power supply.

 

[SuperMidget]

So I would still have to use the converter with the controller?

I say it in my 1st post here. The whips i made i used WS2812B Eco LED Strips. They are 5v only strips that control each light individually.

there are many other types of LED strips available that are 12v and will work with the same controllers without the 5v step down transformer. WS2811 LED Strips control the lights in blocks of 3 and will do the same patterns on the same controller with 12 volt power.

 

[SuperMidget]

I am remaking mine soon and these are the bases I have picked out for my next whip

https://amazon.com/Tram-CB-Antenna-217/dp/B08KWD2R3V?tag=sxsweb24-20

What did you use for the tip?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I totally missed this link, DO NOT USE THAT QUICK RELEASE!!!

The external wings bend if any force gets applied to it... I left those vise grips holding it like that for 6 months before i just recently took it off and bolted my whip straight to the rack.

Try this one instead

Internal CB Radio Antenna Quick Disconnect Mount | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Internal CB Radio Antenna Quick Disconnect Mount at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[SuperMidget]

I tried some different things with the blacklight whips i made last night

These caps fit 1/2 sch 40 pvc perfectly

Amazon.com: T Tulead Black Thread Protector Cover Rubber End Caps Round Flexible Tube Cover 20mm ID Rubber Bolt Screw End Caps Pack of 12 : Industrial & Scientific

Buy T Tulead Black Thread Protector Cover Rubber End Caps Round Flexible Tube Cover 20mm ID Rubber Bolt Screw End Caps Pack of 12: Industrial & Scientific - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I got this to test the larger sizes and learned that 30mm heat shrink wraps over the wiring nicely and seals up around the top cap/top of the clear heatshrink, and 20mm fits the bare pvc nicely to hide the white at the bottom better than painting it if you put it on first.

Amazon.com: SummitLink 415 Pcs Black Assorted Heat Shrink Tube 10 Sizes Tubing Wrap Sleeve Set Combo: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: SummitLink 415 Pcs Black Assorted Heat Shrink Tube 10 Sizes Tubing Wrap Sleeve Set Combo: Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

If using ip65 waterproof led strips this 35mm crazy thick heavy duty heat shrink did a pretty solid job

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QT739BK/?tag=sxsweb24-20