My Christmas Light Display. Using Light-O-Rama controllers.

[actaeon277]

Well, I didn't build my addition today, maybe tomorrow.

But I do have an update.
My software is on an old laptop. I needed to install the software on my newer desktop. The license allows you 5 copies. No problem so far.
Till I couldn't find my CD with the program on it.
I back everything up. I looked through CDs of computers I no longer own.

So, I went on the LOR (Light O Rama) website and filled out a "ticket". Told them what had happened.
Gave them my name, address, and the year I bought the software. To help them verify who I am.
Figured I'd have to wait till Monday before any news what they'd do.

A little later, I check my email, and I already have a response.
A link to the program. With my unlock code.
So I downloaded the program.

EXCELLENT customer service.

 

[Mark 1911]

Nice job, really beautiful. And that you have all your work documented so thoroughly is very impressive also. Wife and I.would swing by there when we get back from Canada if you still have it up.. How long will you keep the display?

 

[actaeon277]

Nice job, really beautiful. And that you have all your work documented so thoroughly is very impressive also. Wife and I.would swing by there when we get back from Canada if you still have it up.. How long will you keep the display?

Not sure, since I'm hoping to work on an addition Monday. Then it will take me some time to program a couple songs.
At least to the first of the year. Maybe another week or two after that.

 

[actaeon277]

Good job Actaeon. Family enjoyed the lights and music.

Thanks. I'm glad people are enjoying them.

 

[Mark 1911]

Not sure, since I'm hoping to work on an addition Monday. Then it will take me some time to program a couple songs.
At least to the first of the year. Maybe another week or two after that.

We'll be heading back on the 2nd weather permitting. I'll shoot you a PM when we get back.

 

[actaeon277]

Ok.
Looks like I'll have to postpone the secret new addition till next year.
December's work schedule is just too hard for me.
So I'll have to build the new addition in the summer, and program the new songs.


I do have a couple things to tidy up. Small, minor things.

 

[actaeon277]

Finally got around to inventorying lights for the new display. Holy poop I'm short of reds.
I'll have to go tomorrow and buy up what's left.
I still need 18 reds, 6 whites

 

[actaeon277]

Now I need to get the neighbors on board

[video=youtube;2IVMKcoDfV8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IVMKcoDfV8[/video]

 

[chef larry]

Now I need to get the neighbors on board

[video=youtube;2IVMKcoDfV8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IVMKcoDfV8[/video]

Yes indeed.

 

[Piobair]

2 questions.

1) Why did they drop them? Not enough sales, problems with the product line?
2) Are there other dealers in the area? I buy from online, but I'd buy from a local dealer if it meant more personal attention. Such as helpful hints, or training classes. I'm self taught, and I know the program does 100 times more than what I'm doing.

1. Our margin was so low that after paying credit card merchant fees and web store fees, we were paying to sell LOR. Good product, but no profit in it.
2. The LOR web site lists Winterland, in Marion, as a dealer. Light-O-Rama For classes, I attended one in Chicago put on by LOR a year or so ago. Keep an eye on their class schedule. Light-O-Rama

 

[actaeon277]

Ok.
The watt meter has been monitoring for 3 hours, 22 minutes (rounding off to 3.33 hr).
The KWhr measured is .22.

So
(.22KWhr*1000)/3.33 = 66 watts.

So, I'm using the same as a small incandescent light bulb.


I'm going to run the watt meter longer. That will give me a better average.
Since it displays in KWhr and gives me two decimals to the right.
Bigger number will eliminate round off error.

 

[actaeon277]

Ok. Ran the meter longer. Almost the same answer.

.53 KWH
7 hours, 53 minutes (7.88 Hr)

(.53*1000)/7.88 = 67.3 watts

So, it's using as much as a small incandescent.


So how much, is that costing me?
Assuming lights on 12 hours, and elec 0.25 per KWH
67.3*12/1000*(.25) = .202
Or 20 cents per night.
If I run my lights 4 weeks, that's $5.60

Pretty economical.

 

[actaeon277]

Note about 40 and 60 watt LED bulbs being used with items such as the hollow plastic stuff, with a bulb inside.

Regular bulbs fit easily into these sockets.
LED bulbs, not so much.
The base of the 40 watt and 60 watt LED bulbs are a lot bigger.

When I tried using the 40s, I thought something was wrong. Couldn't get the bulb to light.
Turns out, it wasn't all the way in the socket.
Had to turn it REAL hard.
You have to be VERY careful.
1) make sure you don't break the base of the bulb.
2) make sure you don't break the lamp socket.

I ran out of the 40s, and Menards was closed by then. So I grabbed a 60 that I had on hand.

I even tried to dremel the top of the socket, to try to get the 60 watt LED bulb to fit.
Still ended up twisting the metal socket apart and broke the solder joint.

The savings in wattage is worth it (40 watt). But you just have to twist it deep, and be CAREFUL.

Ok. Put the last two candles up (finally).
I modified the light socket to fit the LED bulb better.
I used my dremel and put 4 notches in it. If you don't have a dremel, a hack saw would work.
You should unplug the socket, just in case you notch too far.

 

[actaeon277]

I used 3 controllers to make a 4th of July display.
I don't think I have enough to start a new thread, so I'll just put it here.

[video=youtube;hfi9ck_S9Hg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfi9ck_S9Hg[/video]

 

[actaeon277]

I used the same base from the Christmas light. But I added more lights, a lot more.
The Christmas lights used 6 blue and 6 red. For a total of 12.
This display uses 12 red, 12 white, and 12 blue. For a total of 36.

Since the controllers have 16 outputs each, my 2 controllers wouldn't be enough.
So I added a 3rd controller.
All 3 are at the base of the tree.

 

[actaeon277]

 

[actaeon277]

The tree is a little thinner than I wanted.
Apparently the manufacturer of the lights I use made the strings shorter, probably to save money since the cost of everything is going up.
They have the same number of bulbs, but are a couple feet shorter.
So, originally, the lights were supposed to be long enough to go up to the top, and then go back to the bottom, forming a "V".
Instead, they went from bottom to top, and then only half way back.

Next year I'll just have to add more lights.

 

[actaeon277]

So I bought a text to speech program so that I can introduce each Christmas song.
I don't like the sound of my voice when I hear a recording of it, so this works out for me.
I type in what I want to say, pick a voice (it comes with a voice, and I bought 2 more "realistic" voices), and it will create a .mp3 file for me.
Then the Light O Rama software can load the .mp3 file, and I can have the lights do something during the 20 second (or whatever) introduction of the song.

TextAloud Text to Speech Software

 

[2A_Tom]

Yes, I know. This sounds a little OCD.

A little? Ya think? I'm the same way.

Finally got around to inventorying lights for the new display. Holy poop I'm short of reds.
I'll have to go tomorrow and buy up what's left.
I still need 18 reds, 6 whites

You do realize that Echelon sent this to DEA.

Now I need to get the neighbors on board

[video=youtube;2IVMKcoDfV8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IVMKcoDfV8[/video]

Yes SOCIALIZEME the for every rugged individualist!

I enjoyed this thread a lot and also meeting last night. We need to keep in touch about the possibility of ride sharing to Winimack and other events.

On another note, would a little PM with dielectric grease on the problematic strings help? I also have other thoughts to help make the work lighter/easier but it would be difficult to explain in text. Maybe we could talk over breakfast some Saturday that you are off.

 

[actaeon277]

I work most saturdays. But I'm sure we can get together sometime.
The elec. grease may work. I don't really have too much trouble. The lights in the bushes are the only ones had water problems.
I met the guy south of old mill pizza (I think it's on Madison) and he had commercial grade lights. They cost more, but don't have a rust problem.