Post #801028 by TheLuckyParrot on Fri, Feb 28, 2020 1:11 PM

STAGE ASSEMBLY, PART 2

Aha! I knew I could get this figured out. Below is a photo taken from above that shows all three features positioned on the base platform that slides into the TV cabinet. The Trader Same feature is already screwed down and the other two are not. My finger is pointing to the one remaining spot that is a problem. I need another 1/4" of clearance in order for the Sam/Moai platform to rotate. I already know how I am going to solve that so this weekend it should rectified. And I hope to have the upper deck to the stage fabricated, positioned and tested/validated, too.

In order to make this fit, I had to cut back and rebuild some of the support platform beneath the volcano. I also had to create a lifting platform for the shipwreck. That lifting platform serves multiple purposes. First and foremost it raises up the entire shipwreck presentation at the back of the stage so that the viewing angle is ideal. Second, it allowed me to make some necessary clearance for overall fit. And third, it gives me some much needed pathways for electrical cabling for all the electronics and controls.

I also had to do some trimming of the Sam Feature. In hindsight I would have made the top platform of the Sam feature a perfect circle and without the bump out for the tilting motor. But it is what it is and it works great so we go with it.

You cannot see it clearly here, but I am also creating the promised cover boxes for the circuit boards and tightening up the cabling. I will be creating and then decorating the upper stage and taking photos of that while, in parallel, I will be doing a lot of electronics work below deck. I need to tie the three features together, and I need to start working on a master orchestration control system, and I need to add some fun stuff to the upper deck, and then I need to get going on lighting and audio. I will try not to bother you all too much with the electrical and computer stuff so that you can spend more time enjoying the Tiki aspects. But I will reveal enough of the tech in case somebody trips over this project and has the missing expertise. For example, if there is anybody out there who knows has to play on demand 720p video to a 7" screen PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Expect a string of photo updates until I have the ability to demo all three existing feature sub-systems inside the TV cabinet, sans audio/lighting. It will be cool if I get that far in the next week.

TLP

P.S. - thanks for the kudos and comments. Feedback of all kinds is much appreciated, as are questions. I will try to answer any/all Q's. The whole reason I came here with this project is because other sites promised the much better engagement with my fellow Tikiphiles. That is turning out to be true!