Virgin Sacrifices Optional
February 18, 2013 10:06 PM Subscribe
I have a lava rock fireplace. Let's make it erupt!
So the fireplace is here: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=fuv21y&s=6 It's your basic lava rock fireplace. There's electricity in the back.
I know folks who are into LEDs, Arduino, and Maker-type frivolity. The effect I want is lava pulsing between the crevices, as if it were about to blow. Think it can be done? Please tell me more.
So the fireplace is here: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=fuv21y&s=6 It's your basic lava rock fireplace. There's electricity in the back.
I know folks who are into LEDs, Arduino, and Maker-type frivolity. The effect I want is lava pulsing between the crevices, as if it were about to blow. Think it can be done? Please tell me more.
Response by poster: Sorry, it's a bar, I was in a google frenzy for lava rock and got "fireplace" on the brain.I still want it to look like a volcano ready to blow :-)
posted by cyndigo at 11:06 PM on February 18, 2013
posted by cyndigo at 11:06 PM on February 18, 2013
I think some led spotlights/tracklights and a smoke machine would be the way to go.
posted by empath at 3:40 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by empath at 3:40 AM on February 19, 2013
You can probably put a nice sized subwoofer underneath it to get some rumble, too.
posted by empath at 3:40 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by empath at 3:40 AM on February 19, 2013
I don't know how small of a smoke machine you can get. Dry ice might be more useful.
posted by dobi at 8:16 AM on February 19, 2013
posted by dobi at 8:16 AM on February 19, 2013
If dampness isn't an issue where you live, you could consider an ultrasonic fogger rather than a smoke machine? It'll raise the humidity in the room though, obviously.
I'm envisaging wiring up a (programmable?) LED or EL-wire array between the rocks and covering that with a translucent resin/silicone/[something] (possibly coloured itself, rather than using coloured lights) to diffuse the light. Since lava has brighter hot-spots anyway, the point light-sources of LEDs could potentially work quite well.
This is not really my field, though - I'm not sure my ideas are practical. What do your Maker friends say?
posted by Someone Else's Story at 10:37 AM on February 19, 2013
I'm envisaging wiring up a (programmable?) LED or EL-wire array between the rocks and covering that with a translucent resin/silicone/[something] (possibly coloured itself, rather than using coloured lights) to diffuse the light. Since lava has brighter hot-spots anyway, the point light-sources of LEDs could potentially work quite well.
This is not really my field, though - I'm not sure my ideas are practical. What do your Maker friends say?
posted by Someone Else's Story at 10:37 AM on February 19, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks for the light suggestions! Smoke and rumble didn't even occur to me ... I'm asking Makers. I just love the look of lava peeking through rocks... when it's together I'll post pics. Keep the suggestions coming!
posted by cyndigo at 1:13 PM on February 19, 2013
posted by cyndigo at 1:13 PM on February 19, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by primethyme at 10:37 PM on February 18, 2013