Cheap LED Moving Spot Gobo Wheel Upgrade

I bought a set of cheap LED moving spot fixtures. They're pretty decent, but I wanted to give them that extra little bit of usability, so I 3D printed custom gobo wheels for the fixture.
Follow me through this process from start to beginning to see how I did it!
Part file: www.prusaprinters.org/prints/...

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hey all! I've just shared the part files for those with 3D printing capabilities! It's available here: www.prusaprinters.org/prints/66456-led-mini-moving-spot-custom-gobo-wheel

[@jll544]

Nice work! Just wanted to mention an easier way to recalibrate these Chinese mini-spots after mods/cleaning: If you hold down the Enter button for a few seconds, you'll reach a hidden factory menu where you can tweak the home offset for each motor (pan/tilt/color/gobo).

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Oh, wow! Nice tip, I'll have to give this a try!

[@iFlojoe]

I will try this on my miss aligned chines bee eye moving heads, thanks!!! 😋

[@somethingsfishy2695]

FINALLY someone who controls his lights like a maniac, everyone just uses color chases or smooth stuff, keep it up!

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Who's to say I'm not a maniac, though? That was one of my favorite bands cause I could just let loose, working on finding another one of those. Thanks for watching!

[@JeremiahLiew]

This is actually incredible. I had no idea this was even possible. It's such a simple mod, yet the results are amazing. I used to have the same kind of moving heads and I ended up selling them because they just didn't look good but I'm definitely going to try find some again and give this a go. Thanks so much for this and for sharing the print files!

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Thanks for watching and all the kind words! Much more to come! Modular, road-worthy, computer-independent/integrated, custom control surfaces anyone? How about an ultra-affordable, multi channel, config-free, decentralized, internet agnostic, networked comms system (This one may or may not already be built! 👀) ? Stay tuned!

[@alienencore3848]

Great video! Love to see someone actually digging into fixtures and making mods! Really high quality video as well. Keep it up!

[@iSpike]

Your Mods look GREAT 👍🏻

[@frankorandle]

People have been able to special order custom gobo wheels for about 30 years now. The easiest way would be using fixtures large enough that use standard sized replaceable and/or rotatable gobos. If you want to look into how the oldest color mixing light fixture did it look up High End Systems Color Pro. Three lamps, three pieces of dichroic glass.

[@terrellgrier6370]

I really hope and pray that you eventually take orders! I actually have some of these lighting fixtures and they actually work great! I would love to add a rotating gobo/prism effect if possible!

[@gravitymediapro]

I’m thoroughly impressed by your abilities. Amazing work! New subscriber.

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hey, thanks for watching and your kind words! Much more to come! Modular, road-worthy, computer-independent/integrated, custom control surfaces anyone? How about an ultra-affordable, multi channel, config-free, decentralized, internet agnostic, networked comms system (This one may or may not already be built! 👀) ? Stay tuned!

[@koolkiwikat]

Love your work mate, well done!

[@H2Oredfirefox]

That's actually funny for a second I thought you were going to use a CNC machine the cutting aluminum piece but it's still pretty impressive that you're able to 3D print one I have a couple of these lights on the way and I might take advantage of that myself and see what it's like as I've noticed the patterns aren't really that good that comes with them even the latest model still have the same ones I think anyway brilliant video

[@johncoles]

1) Awesome job! 2) Thank you for sharing the file, I look forward to playing with it. 3) Might try it printed with metal filament to see if that helps. Or send it to an online fabricator for metal….

[@ConnorEhrgood]

This would be super cool to see! Let me know how it goes, and thanks for watching!

[@julirix]

What a coincidence that KZbin recommended me this video. I've just torn apart my Moving Head, it's pretty similar, same board, same gobos, same base, only the head looks slightly different. Mine is probably an older version but the same model. Somehow the UI on the seven segment display never made sense, the light source on mine was pretty dim and I didn't like the color filters and gobos. So I removed everything now except for the stepper motors and power supply. I will use this as an experiment so my decision might not make sense to everyone. For the light source I will be using a massive 82mm COB Led, probably without lenses and I won't use the gobos and color filters anymore, so I will have to 3D print my own shell. For the stepper drivers, I'm trying how tmc2209s perform on a moving head. Depending on which Microcontroller I will be using, I might also include RDM or Artnet over WiFi, because why not use it if the microcontroller can do it. I'm pretty sure one of those two things will be useful sooner or later.

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Very cool! Please make sure to show off what you acomplish with that project! I'd love to see how much performance you manage to squeeze out of one of these! I've moved on form these little movers, but now I have some other projects in the works: Modular, road-worthy, computer-independent/integrated, custom control surfaces anyone? How about an ultra-affordable, multi channel, config-free, decentralized, internet agnostic, networked comms system (This one may or may not already be built! 👀) ? Stay tuned!

[@croissantproductions]

Awesome video! I think these would work in my mini moving heads.

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Thanks for watching and all the kind words! Much more to come! Modular, road-worthy, computer-independent/integrated, custom control surfaces anyone? How about an ultra-affordable, multi channel, config-free, decentralized, internet agnostic, networked comms system (This one may or may not already be built! 👀) ? Stay tuned!

[@santiagocamara2952]

Nice video!! Thanks for share

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Thanks for watching! Keep an eye out for more cool stuff. I've got things on the way!

[@harmvaneijken2908]

good luck with the cmy it wil be verry interesting

[@darrellhooper9973]

I’m wondering if a high temperature paint would work instead of tape?

[@rgones]

Have you found a source for dichros? Been thinking about adding CMY to other heads as well, but all the sources I've found are prohibitively expensive

[@dj-unnu]

Insane! 😉 Nice job!!!!

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Thanks for watching and your kind words! Much more to come! Modular, road-worthy, computer-independent/integrated, custom control surfaces anyone? How about an ultra-affordable, multi channel, config-free, decentralized, internet agnostic, networked comms system (This one may or may not already be built! 👀) ? Stay tuned!

[@frankobenic7917]

Hello, nice video. I was watching and it came to my mind that you could spray it with black spray instead of the folium :)

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hey, thanks! Paint may be an option, but the black would likely turn too much of the light into heat and melt the plastic. Perhaps a good, opaque, white paint would do it. Thanks for watching!

[@cristovaonunes4952]

Much better really!!

[@suhailk9342]

Good job bro

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hey, thanks!

[@kartikkoshti2564]

Do i get the led lamp of this light from somewhere ❓

[@zigzagdisco7909]

I just got a pair of these uking ones..It would be great just to have moving hearts for doing weddings

[@dieselterminal97304]

hello! Where did you buy these lights may I ask?

[@MStrikeback]

Hey bro can you upgrade the power of that mini moving head?

[@traxdelt9016]

This is epic, what songs is playing in the background?

[@Gmplolol]

Very cool video! I have a few of these lights and never even thought about the upgrade potentials. I like the CMY colour mixing idea as well, it sounds very difficult to accomplish though. Have you considered whether adding RGB led modules along with the built in white one to get RGB colour mixing is feasible? I have no experience in this type of modding so perhaps you've ruled it out for an obvious reason, sounds more doable to me off the top of my head though

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hey, thanks for watching! I've considered using an RGB LED, but I suspect I would struggle to source a sufficiently bright LED and know that my limited optical knowledge would likely not yield the nice even mix I'd be after, although maybe it's simpler than I'm thinking. Looks like there's room for others to improve these further!

[@oldschooldjernie]

very impressive work for such a crappy fixture but I applaud you!

[@RichardbGabriel]

Nice!

[@4008strobes]

What did you do with the old gobo wheels?

[@SpotOn-AV]

Super cool!!! How did you tune the homing because some of my mini headers have the tilt to mutch down

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hi there! Only took me 10 months to notice this comment 😬 Back when I was running these, I would literally just grab them and force them to skip steps until they were all about aligned. I also did my best to better align the hall effect sensor they home themselves with, but that never yielded great results. There's another comment mentioning that there's some sort of calibration menu, though I never got a chance to try that. I'd say give that a go! Thanks for watching and the kind words! Much more to come! Modular, road-worthy, computer-independent/integrated, custom control surfaces anyone? How about an ultra-affordable, multi channel, config-free, decentralized, internet agnostic, networked comms system (This one may or may not already be built! 👀) ? Stay tuned!

Please can you upload the design as a vector 2D graphic template - .ai or .pdf - so some of us can get the disc laser cut in aluminium or photo-etched in brass? Many thanks!

[@Fatty_Margo]

I’m about to get 8 of these lights and would love to customize the gobos and also interested in making them rotate as well. Interested in taking orders?

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hi there! I'm working on coming up with a way to streamline the manufacturing of these in order to be able to sell them. Hopefully I'll have a solution soon! I'm in the process of putting together some of these with rotating gobos. This is proving to be quite a challenge, but I think I can do it! Keep an eye out! Any updates I have will likely be posted as videos. Thanks for watching!

[@croissantproductions]

@@ConnorEhrgood How in the world would you be able to fit a rotating gobo system in there? You need an extra motor and a bunch of other things in the gobo wheel.

[@geoffcowan2384]

I'm thinking about cutting some designs out of "chrome" vinyl and using a clear acrylic disk for the wheel. seems like it might be quicker and easier.

[@ConnorEhrgood]

This seems like a great idea! Let me know how that goes.

[@geoffcowan2384]

@@ConnorEhrgood I will. Using them for the first time this coming Saturday night. I want to see how the stock version works before I take them apart.

[@geoffcowan2384]

@@ConnorEhrgood and to be clear, I would never have thought about it if you wouldn’t have made this video. I don’t have a 3D printer (yet!), so as I’m watching your video I’m thinking about how I can do this myself. Metal disks with simple hole patterns or using my little CNC machine are bouncing around in my head as I’m watching. Then you put the aluminum tape on your wheel and a light clicked on for me. :) thank you for the inspiration. If the vinyl works, that opens up much more complex designs. Maybe my band’s logo? Something that fits the theme of an event? :)

[@ConnorEhrgood]

@@geoffcowan2384 Honestly super humbled by this! Glad I could spark an idea! A good example of the AvE principal: "Make cool s*** and put it on the internet!"

[@sirdrakey]

Nice work! I wonder if heat resistant paint would be better

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Thanks! A good, opaque white paint may be able to pull this off. It would come down to whether the little bit of heat wicking provided by the aluminum tape is actually needed, and that is something I'm not sure of. Worth a shot, I'd say! Thatns for watching!

[@hacksolot2]

I made it (had to modify for my moving head) and even with the tape it softened a ton. What material did you use?

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hey there! I used some generic white ABS. I suspect PC would be an even better option if you have a machine that can handle it. I would imagine that PLA will not work. It's likely that the ambient temperature in the fixture while operating for an extended period of time alone would be too much for PLA to handle even without the extra head from light absorption Good luck! I hope you find a material that works. Thanks for watching!

[@hacksolot2]

@@ConnorEhrgood I think I may have a solution, I am going to try to anneal PLA by boiling it in water, which raises the softening point much higher. I'll update whenever I can get around to it.

[@dj_wildkid]

Are these the 60w modèle ?

[@ricardocassio3120]

Can you upgrade the 25 watt led for a 60 or 80 watt?

[@croissantproductions]

No. It would overheat very fast

[@marksevilla7242]

how many watts sir?

[@dj_wildkid]

Are they true 60w led ?

[@michaelstretch2252]

I have dozens of these lights . Get the gobo made of metal. I have seen fires in these lights . We had to get the more expencive ones because of how the casing melts .

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hi there! Seems your fixtures are making a good deal more light than mine. Definitely not seeing anything get hot enough to melt, let alone combust! I don't imagine it would take all that much more light, though. I have some newer fixtures that will just cook ANYTHING in the optical path that isn't glass or metal, so it's entirely possible. I've about retired these guys. Just too much fuss in the hustle and bustle of load in and out.

[@VileVisionshaunt]

If I tried to dismantle that to THAT point, it would never get put back together again 😆

[@lsdave]

Awesome work. What software do you use to control them?

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hi there! Thanks for the kind words! Back when I put this video together I was running the rig with QLC+, which is free and was pretty decent, but I've since made the leap to GrandMA3 onPC, and it's worth EVERY PENNY. Thanks for watching! Much more to come! Modular, road-worthy, computer-independent/integrated, custom control surfaces anyone? How about an ultra-affordable, multi channel, config-free, decentralized, internet agnostic, networked comms system (This one may or may not already be built! 👀) ? Stay tuned!

[@russelljones7147]

How did you get those efx to run so smooth on QLC? And if you ever take orders. I’ll take 4 of those wheels!

[@HolaidenEntertainmentLLC]

Maybe rather than 3d printing these out of plastic you could send them off to a cheap laser service. similar to the service used to make stencils for solder paste? Idk if sendcutsend can do this or not.

[@ConnorEhrgood]

There was a brief while I though about this for making them in bulk to sell. It would totally work. I've done this before for more standard gobos. Quick turnaround and mega cheap. Thanks for watching!

[@joemartinez9915]

Would you consider selling some wheels I have six of these lights and would love to do this . I don't have a machine to make them

[@BlackAngelwithFire.]

One question: so someone told me that a gobo wheel is useable at small washes is that true? I dont really believe it myself but before im gonna buy a gobo wheel to test it i think i should ask an expert before wasting my money

[@vasilydjharvie9286]

Cool

[@TomyCapde]

Hi, I have the same fixtures. Could you share the 3D model?

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hey There! I've thrown up the file over on Prusa Printers! It can be found here: www.prusaprinters.org/prints/66456-led-mini-moving-spot-custom-gobo-wheel

[@SUSANFENGLEDID]

cheaper led moving lights, who will cost lots of time to do these?

[@alantheskinhead]

I think it's just easier to buy a better unit with slot in Gobos!

[@ConnorEhrgood]

You're certainly not wrong, and I actually already have, but it's the process, not just the end result. Thanks for watching!

[@94XJ]

Could you be convinced to sell these? I'd like at least 5 to start.

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hi there! I could totally make up a few of the wheels to ship out for you to install in your fixtures. Let me know if this is something you want me to get going and I'll put together some sort of shop. It's worth mentioning that I could customize the wheel to your liking, although I'd probably charge a bit more for the time involved in doing that. Also, keep an eye out. I'm looking to build a gobo wheel with rotating indexable gobos as well as continuous rotation for both the gobo and color wheels. I'm thinking I may sell a conversion kit for others to do this as well. Thanks for watching! Best regards, Connor

[@DanKoerner]

@@ConnorEhrgood I'm about to pick up some of these exact same lights and I would be extremely interested in buying a conversion kit that could add rotation to the gobos!

[@Fatty_Margo]

I’m about to get 8 of these lights and would love to customize the gobos and also interested in making them rotate as well.

[@1highchango559]

@@ConnorEhrgood how much would you sell them for in really interested?

[@94XJ]

@@ConnorEhrgood I know it's been a minute but I'd absolutely be interested in buying some!!! The bars and linear dots are some effects I would love to have. Pretty much anything that actually looks different in the light beam would be an upgrade over what these thigns have stock!

[@hacksolot2]

what lighting software do you use?

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hi! I was running QLC+ at the time, but I've since made the leap to MA3. Videos on that and the new rig coming soon!

[@robinlacaden4438]

Should be a thin metal sheet and cnc it

[@youtrix1]

Fixtures still working?

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Indeed they are. Though, they only come out a time or two a year now. Thanks for watching!

[@Ernestas0001]

Why not laser cutting instead of 3d printing?

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Short answer: I don't have a laser cutter Would likely be a great option, though!

[@1highchango559]

How many watts are those lights?

[@prodbyyaug]

Usually theyre 10-20 watts

[@1highchango559]

Can you post the link of the light you used in the video? I’m interested in buying some for my self

[@augustschiermacher9417]

@@1highchango559 I did not make the video, so i dont know what model these are. Try and google movinghead 10watt on google or amazon. Similar heads to those in the video should pop op :)

[@ConnorEhrgood]

These guys claim to be 60 Watts. I don't think they're quite that, but I think they're a good bit more than 10 or 20. I've just gotten some Focus Spot 4Zs, and they actually hold up surprisingly well in terms of brightness compared to those. I've been meaning to test them, just haven't gotten the chance yet.

[@davedreher9254]

@@ConnorEhrgood So you replaced the ones in this video with the Focus Spot 4Zs on the top back truss? Aren't those Focus Spot 4Zs like $900 each? Yikes! I've been looking at 100W no-name ones from China for like $200 on Ebay to do the same job on back truss. This would be for my cover band.

[@legendfpv]

Controversial opinion: The original gobo wheel was better

[@ConnorEhrgood]

Hey there! For a good many people, this is likely, but I was after a few specific looks that simply weren't possible with the original wheel. Thanks for watching!

[@wisico640]

The flat gobos are amazing tho! I've got 16 of those lights & would gladly upgrade all of them just for the flat gobos :o