11 replies to this topic

[Arthur Brown]

I've been asked to organise a display over a large lake. I have the safety distance to fire most things.

I am looking for wisdom about cat3 things that look especially good over water.

I've heard of "water shells" what are they and are there any cat3 ones? Where from?

I'm also thinking that a pp3 powered controller could be NBG over 100m wires, there will be no mains what would you use. (5th nov so there may not be much to hire!)

[Mortartube]

There are no cat 3 shells. Silver comet cakes/candles look good. Particularly if you can get some large comet candles and fire them from left and right of the lake from the audience point of view so they cross in the middle. Obviously much depends on safety distances. A waterfall or two also are nice when reflected in the lake. Use a car battery if you have e-matches. That will fire over 100m wire. Make a nail board for firing.

[Mortartube]

Nail board link here

http://www.pyrounive...s/nailboard.htm

Edited by Mortartube, 05 October 2007 - 06:52 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

Great!
Already have a fair size switchboard controller so don't need the nails! I was doubting its ability to fire reliably off 9v so I will increase it to 24, it's so easily done now.

If I wanted to make a lancework with 18 letters how many lances? How much match? and how much wood? Or what would you use as a support frame.

Safety distance 50m fallout distance 100m sideways clearance 250m+

Anyone suggest a supplier for comets in mortars?

[Mortartube]

If you can find someone who sells Vulcan Blockbuster candles in silver or gold comets, I reckon they will do the trick. I believe they just fall into cat 3 size wise. If you go to Sandlings website and look under candles, he has some Blockbuster candles with videos of them firing. A giant golden battery fired from each side of the lake so that bombettes would burst high over the centre of the lake would look lovely IMHO.

http://www.sandlingfireworks.com/

[pyrotrev]

Don't forget smaller fireworks too. Good bengals and big fountains can look ace if you have them down by the waters edge to maximise the reflections. There are some cakes that fire floating bengals and fountains onto the water surface, but unfortunately all the ones I know of fall into Cat.4 because of "specialised use" requirements. Regarding the lancework, at >50m viewing distance I would go for 18" or so high letters, you'll likely need to budget about 20 ish lances per letter on average (+ a few spares) - obviously letters like M need a lot more than an I.

Edited by pyrotrev, 07 October 2007 - 08:40 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

Thanks all!

If the crowd centres around the bar they will be at a high first floor level so not much in the way of reflections

I'm planning a lot of mines and candles so that they are not looking down on the show!

If they book for a bigger audience the show can get smaller! cos the crowd will then be at the waterline and get the benefit of all the reflections and I can fill a minute with a waterfall for little cost and great effect. I might even do a wheel if they will be looking at it rather than down onto it!

[Mortartube]

If you do use Bengals, putting mirrors behind them adds greatly to the effect, Especially if you have two behind each in a V shape with the Bengal sitting near to the widest part of the V. Alternatively strobe Bengals hidden behind trees are also nice. A few dotted around lighting up the landscape would be a nice start before you go manic. If you have room Khoom Fay fire balloons are also an unusual start. Khoom Fay lanterns are available from Mike at Brighton Fireworks. They are lovely on a still evening. You will need 2 people to fire each lantern, one to hold the canopy open whilst the other lights the wick, in 2 or 3 minutes if will gracefully ascend.

http://www.brightonf...om/khoomfay.htm

[Arthur Brown]

Now I really do like that idea, will the wind be in the right direction.

[Mortartube]

Now I really do like that idea, will the wind be in the right direction.

Hang on, I'll just lick my finger and put it out of the window............................................. Yes, I think it will.

[Arthur Brown]

The venue is 2 miles x 200 metres of water and rectangular so it is directional!

[zookeeper]

"Water shells" have been used by Disney and Grucci, in the states. They are more like a muzzle burst or a mine, than a shell. Many sites don't like to use them because they use small plastic discs to float on the water, and make a large mess. I also believe that they are only produced in 5" varieties.

I've had good luck, over water with:

Yung Feng- Nishiki Kamuro Niagara Falls 3"-6" shells (burns all the way down to the water)
Yung Feng- Ceiling Lamp 3"-12" shells
Vulcan- Pixie Dust Willow 5"-6"
Lidu- Horsetail (any size is cool)