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

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  • actaeon277

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    RETEKESS-TR501-1W-6W-PLL-FM-Transmitter-Stereo-FM-Radio-Broadcast-Transmitter-Station-For-Conference-Teaching.jpg





    Got a new transmitter.
    This summer I'll test it out, see if I get a better signal.

    The one I'm using now is very static'y, and very little range.
    It works, but kinda a pain when I go to record it, I need to be in a certain place to get a good audio signal.
     

    actaeon277

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    Christmas light show is running.
    New transmitter works a lot better.
    I also had to add a Cat 5 splitter because one of the Cat 5 sockets on the board had a problem.

    Anyone in the Merrillville area wants to see it in person, Private Message or Visitor Message me and I'll forward my address.

    [video=youtube;miG8QgDTOSw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miG8QgDTOSw&t=27s[/video]
     

    actaeon277

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    We don't get a 2020 video? :dunno:

    Well, it looks the same, except I got the red/white and blue/green trees swapped.

    I only really video when there's a new song, or a major change/addition.

    So far, it's the same.




    I do have 6 floodlights I need to figure out how I'm going to shine on the roof.
    They will be T'd off of the lights in the bushes, and the same colors.
    So, a red bush on the right goes off, the red light on the roof will go on.



    I also have a nativity/manger scene to put up.
    It will go on the other side of the driveway.
    It will just be ON. No flashing lights on it.
     

    actaeon277

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    Just a reminder, the show goes on.
    Anyone is welcome to come by and see it.
    Or drop by my YouTube channel actaeon299.


    All plans for roof spotlights and nativity set have been put on hold due to kidney stones.
    Ouch


    The show is on a timer, so regardless of me, they go on.
     

    actaeon277

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    RETEKESS-TR501-1W-6W-PLL-FM-Transmitter-Stereo-FM-Radio-Broadcast-Transmitter-Station-For-Conference-Teaching.jpg





    Got a new transmitter.
    This summer I'll test it out, see if I get a better signal.

    The one I'm using now is very static'y, and very little range.
    It works, but kinda a pain when I go to record it, I need to be in a certain place to get a good audio signal.

    Tested out. Works GREAT. The show is using this now.
     

    actaeon277

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    2213330MND.jpg.jpg




    This is the nativity I decided on.
    It will be set in a manger, lit with spotlights.
    And have a star on a pole above it.



    And it will be on the other side of the driveway, to make it separate from the Show.
     

    actaeon277

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    Okay. The show is up and running.
    I do have 2 candles and an elf to replace the cords on. Darn mice.
    But the show is running.


    As usual, anyone is invited to watch it.
    I'm actaeon299 on YouTube.

    Or, come on by if you're in the area.
    Either PM me, or if you can't PM yet, then just leave me a message here, and I'll PM the address
    I'm in Merrillville.
     

    actaeon277

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    2213330MND.jpg.jpg




    This is the nativity I decided on.
    It will be set in a manger, lit with spotlights.
    And have a star on a pole above it.



    And it will be on the other side of the driveway, to make it separate from the Show.


    The nativity set is up with manger, and a star.
    I still have to add this to my YouTube channel.
    But I'll probably wait till I work on another song before I video it.
     

    actaeon277

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    Just a reminder, the show goes on.
    Anyone is welcome to come by and see it.
    Or drop by my YouTube channel actaeon299.


    All plans for roof spotlights and nativity set have been put on hold due to kidney stones.
    Ouch


    The show is on a timer, so regardless of me, they go on.

    Roof spotlights are next.
    I'll probably work on them tomorrow.
     

    actaeon277

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    Planning for the future...
    I have 2 songs I'm thinking of.
    I saw three ships - Lindsey Stirling
    and
    We three gentlemen - Lindsey Stirling.


    But I'm not going to work on them for awhile cause...
    The base of my blue/green "tree" is rotted, and has to be rebuilt.
    I'm debating on 2 things.
    1) Do I want to rebuild with wood? I've already had to rebuild the red/white base once. Maybe upgrade to cedar? Or try something plastic, or metal?
    2) If I'm going to rebuild it, my Dad brought up to change it to match the red/white "tree".
    They look similar, but...
    the blue/green is 6 blue strings, and 6 green strings. The center of each string is at the top of the tree, with each end at the bottom. Basically and inverted "V".
    the red/white tree is 12 red and 12 white strings. But they don't "V". Each string only runs up the tree ONCE.

    The red/white tree gives me more flexibility.
    The downside is.. if I do that to the blue/green tree, I'll need to go through SEVEN songs to alter the sequence for that tree.
    I'm thinking I'm going to do it. When I bounce between the two lights, like a duel, right now I have to light a light on the blue/green, then I have to light the equivalent lights (2) on the red/white. Though sometimes I change it a bit so one red on one side, then one white light on the other side.


    Anyway, doesn't make sense to program a new song, if I'm going to have to do a pretty major rewrite.
     

    actaeon277

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    The two 'trees' of lights have rotted for the last time.
    Last year, when I was picking them up to move them, the boards broke.
    And I've already rebuilt both trees twice.

    So, new design.
    Been working the last couple days fabricating new trees, this time mostly built with plastic pipe.
    I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

    Basically, we (dad and I) got rid of the wood base, crossed 4x4s stacked 3 high.
    The center pole has been changed from wood, to a 2 inch plastic pipe, 10 foot high. (or was it 8).

    The top is reserved for the star.
    Below the star is a 4 inch plastic pipe coupling.
    12 small holes drilled in this, for hooks to be mounted. The lights will attach to these hooks.
    Instead of wire ties hooked up EVERY year, these will be more permanent.

    Then, at the ground, a metal band forming a circle around the base of the tree, with metal stakes to set into the ground. The stakes will anchor it, AND keep the metal off the ground by 9 inches. So when the bottom of the lights attach, the will be kept out of the snow (mostly).
    I will use hooks on the bottom, with elastic strings, to keep the tension on the line.


    When I want to take the tree down, I will undo the hooks at the bottom, bring all the strings against the tree, and wire tie them in place.
    This will cut down on 'set up' and 'take down' time.
     

    actaeon277

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    Also, my original blue/green tree was 6 blue and 6 green strings.
    The were run in an inverted 'V' shape.
    Middle of the string at the top, and then the Ends go to the bottom, on opposite sides of the tree.
    So it looks like 12 strings blue, 12 green. but it's only 1/2.

    The second tree (red/white) I changed to 12 red, 12 white when I designed it. Each string only goes up. No 'V'.
    I kept that on the new tree.
    But the blue green tree will now imitate that one.

    Which means, I had to add ANOTHER controller to my setup.

    So, each tree has 2 controllers (16 outputs each) to control the 24 lights.
    And the porch has 1 controller.
     

    actaeon277

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    Light show is wired up and tested.
    Runs 4 pm to midnight.

    As usual, anyone is invited to watch it.
    I'm actaeon299 on YouTube.
    Or, come on by if you're in the area.
    Either PM me, or if you can't PM yet, then just leave me a message here, and I'll PM the address
    I'm in Merrillville.
     

    DoggyDaddy

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    Light show is wired up and tested.
    Runs 4 pm to midnight.

    As usual, anyone is invited to watch it.
    I'm actaeon299 on YouTube.
    Or, come on by if you're in the area.
    Either PM me, or if you can't PM yet, then just leave me a message here, and I'll PM the address
    I'm in Merrillville.
    I couldn't find it on your youtube channel. Newest ones were from Halloween.
     
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