Author Topic: Magnet mounted prop  (Read 879 times)

Offline NTJP

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Magnet mounted prop
« on: July 22, 2019, 01:19:14 PM »
Thinking of using rare earth magnets to mount my pvc mounted lights to the eve of the house.  Has anyone used these before?  Searched the post and did not find any.  My main concern is will the rare earth magnet have a magnetic field that will interfere with the electric flow of the led's.  I seem to remember from High School physics that electricity flowing through a wire creates a magnetic field.  But, showing my age, that was over 30 years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QXK16MZ/?coliid=I2XV3W5EIQROC&colid=9VWPY4A0V6TR&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
Norman H
Searcy, AR

Offline jnealand

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Re: Magnet mounted prop
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2019, 02:10:25 PM »
P10 and P5 panels have magnetic mounts as an option and to me there is less protection to LEDs in the panel than the LEDs in a node.
Jim Nealand
Kennesaw, GA

Offline babybear

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Re: Magnet mounted prop
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2019, 05:19:22 PM »
I would have to ask one question is the eve of your house steel.  There is every little steel siding out there.
JimmyG
Rochester, New York

Offline algerdes

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Re: Magnet mounted prop
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2019, 11:17:28 AM »
Consider these (from a guy who has been 45 years out of High School):

* Where are the magnets going to be mounted in relation to the chips in the pixels, or the wires going from pixel to pixel? 

Magnetic flux only is strong enough to interfere for a short distance from the magnet itself.  it is dependent on the strength of the magnets, and other factors.

* Are you talking about mounting the magnets to the PVC and/or the house itself?

There have been examples of some here that mounted to the house using magnets.  In one case, the magnet was buried into the house itself (in mortar beds mostly) and then a steel piece attached to the light bar.  In other cases, the exact opposite.  The magnets were mounted on the light bar, and they put steel into the wall (again, usually in brick, but other substances were talked about.)

One thing I have been trying to answer for another project, magnets are used to smooth out power line chatter, which in many cases looks like digital transmissions. Our pixel digital outputs are "weak" compared to other communications lines, so would they be "choked" to the point of not working well?  I don't know.  Anyone else have any idea?

Offline aknflyer

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Re: Magnet mounted prop
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2019, 11:46:24 PM »
40 yr electronics tech here. The magnet would have to be moving to induce a signal in the wire or pixel components. Think like a motor. So magnets will have no effect. Most motors are shielded with metal for this reason. So magnet away, I would be curious how this works out, since I am considering the same for outlining my home.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2019, 11:59:20 PM by aknflyer »

Offline NTJP

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Re: Magnet mounted prop
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2019, 08:14:54 AM »
The first test magnets are 32 Neodymium. Link is attached to original post.   I am thinking the stronger Neodymium might be too strong.  Have some on chest mount plates at work.  They are very strong and have no doubt will hold the weight.  As far as mounting was planning on mounting the magnets to the pvc pipe with pixels and mounting steal washers to the house.  The washers are small and easily painted to match the house. This is a wife think, she does not want to see it when in off season.   Testing would be done to see about spacing.  Think one every 2 or 3 feet should hold good. This is a wife think, she does not want to see it when in off season. 
Norman H
Searcy, AR

Offline Ebuechner

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Re: Magnet mounted prop
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2019, 10:53:11 AM »
I would be concerned about the washers starting to rust and leaving rust stains on the house.
I have a little experience with that happening.
What type of siding is on your house?
For instance if it's vinyl you can pull back sections of vinyl and glue the washers or metal to the back side and the stronger magnet will stick through the siding.

Offline NTJP

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Re: Magnet mounted prop
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2019, 02:00:58 PM »
Was thinking the paint would stop rust but you are right when I think about it.  Paint will only stop rust for so long.  Have vinyl siding but think the the eve is aluminum.  Could still put magnet behind this by lifting the shingle and sliding it in behind. Glad have some feed back on this.  Helping figure out how to make it work.
Norman H
Searcy, AR

Offline algerdes

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Re: Magnet mounted prop
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2019, 06:46:11 PM »
The magnet would have to be moving to induce a signal in the wire or pixel components. Think like a motor. So magnets will have no effect. Most motors are shielded with metal for this reason. So magnet away, I would be curious how this works out, since I am considering the same for outlining my home.

I was thinking more in the line of a choke magnet, usually used to smooth out data signals.  But I do see your point.