Downloads
They Like It
Instructions
General Notes:
Pipe measurements - docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuWvxqr4pSoPdEh6S2tBc2F5dDJHay1QMG pQeXhDVnc
J-Omega datasheet - docs.google.com/open?id=1qrDPlLQ-b_A5NW8xqN-bVMHawieXjgAGcUsercOHIYpsrcDmXVQVB3 DpKhNW
Example wiring diagram - docs.google.com/open?id=1C_NjTzRz5Y2gF9UQd_zc5OEGZFNR1PHSNUK5nNTj1AGVSJbiNWzJ-83PTrat
Major parts:
49 Diapason pipes
10 AC mattress inflator motors
49 Reisner direct action magnetic valves - mmdigest.com/Tech/mValves.html
1 rectifier capable of sinking a large variable load (I sourced a small organ rectifier)
1 J-Omega MTP8 midi to parallel converter - j-omega.co.uk/MTP/mtp.shtml
49 diodes
7 5ft M/F DB9 extension cords
7 25ft M/F DB9 extension cords
500ft outdoor lighting cord
Design notes:
The original design called for 12VDC blower motors. I found they drew way too much current when hooked in parallel. I believe AC motors with rheostats would work better, but am not absolutely certain. I ended up modifying my own prototype to work with a small organ blower piped to everything through 3" flexible duct. This eliminates the need for the motors and outdoor lighting cord.
I haven't found a reliable way to put LED's in series with the magnetic valves to get a visual indication of what note is playing when. The current generated by the valve flipping back off seems to damage them no matter what arrangement I try. The holes in the front of each box were originally intended to hold the LED's.
I've provided files without legs or scrollwork as the design is simpler to understand and assemble. As I continue developing the current version I will release more designs and iterations.
All screws (the ~1/8" holes strewn about the design) are 1 1/2" wood screws and should be counter sunk flush. Given the weight of the baritone and bass boxes, the support structures for the pipes have a habit of stripping their screws. I found putting a dab of urethane glue on the tip of the screw before returning it to its hole helped fill in the stripped material and prevented delamination and splitting.
Each box containing the valves was sealed internally with silicone caulk. The access panel on the front has a gasket of adhesive foam to keep air leaks to a minimum. The brackets holding the pipes also have foam padding to keep the pipes from getting scuffed and damaged in transit.
The zip contains all of my Solidworks files and spreadsheets. They were designed in SW09 Sp0. Most parts are either derived from the assembly or configurations that are selected by that assembly. It has a habit of breaking in a cascading mess if you don't rebuild the individual parts when changing constraints on an assembly. Changes to the spreadsheet should directly reflect on the pipe box assembly. This should making boxes for new pipe sizes fairly simple.