Pumpkin Tree - Halloween Props

Last  Update 09/10/2000

07/01/2000

Having bought a  bunch of surplus stuff from American Science & Surplus, I had to think up  something to do with it. After several thoughts, I've chosen to build what I'm  going to call a "Pumpkin Tree". The pumpkin tree will simply be several pumpkins  stacked in a "totem pole" configuration. For the pumpkins I will use cheap  trick-or-treat baskets (plastic) and insert a light fixture in each one. I will  use a 25 watt orange "party" light bulb to light each pumkin.

I plan not only to light each pumpkin, but plan to sequence the lighting of  all the pumpkins using a "sequencer" I bought from American Science &  Surplus. The sequencer will be used to do one of two things, depending on what  effect I want to do. Using one sequence, I can sequence 4 lights turning each  one on in sequence. The sequence lights the first bulb, then 1 & 2, then 1,2  & 3, then all four at the same time in 7 second intervals. After all 4 are  lighted, they turn off for 7 seconds and the sequence starts again. Another  alternative is to use 4 separate sequencers and time each pumpkin to come on independently, one at a time. This might even cause the tree to look as if a  single pumpkin is moving up/down the tree.

Here is a sample drawing of the pumpkin tree.

 

Figure  1-1

Figure 1-1  depicts the finished tree. The base is probably a block of wood. The spine of  the tree will be 1/2" PVC piping.

    Figure  1-2 Figure  1-3

  

 

Figure 1-2  depicts a black pumpkin basket. Figure 1-3 depicts the same basket with its  eyes, nose, and mouth cut out using a jig saw. I used a razor blade to clean up  the edges and a soldering iron to smooth out the edges.

 

Figure  1-4

Figure 1-4  depicts the sequencer board I bought from American Science & Surplus. The board has 4 pairs of  output wires that can handle 25 watts. Input is standard 110 VAC. They are  selling these boards 2/$1.00. (yes, 2 for a dollar).

 

Figure  1-5

Figure 1-5  depicts a double light socket. I also purchased this light socket and several  like it from American Science & Surplus. Again, 2/.50 (yes, two for 50  cents). I initially thought I would use these for creating a string of party  lights to hang on my deck. For $5.00 I got 20 of these.

 

 

Figure  1-6

Figure 1-6  depicts a $0.99 25 watt party bulb of amber color. I will place one of these  bulbs in one side of each socket that will be placed in a  pumpkin.

    Figure  1-7 Figure  1-8

  

Figure 1-7 and  1-8 are real shots of the test pumpkin I "carved" and lighted. When I get the  tree completed, I'll post more pictures!