Budget Layout Help

DinoChickenSuit

DinoChickenSuit

Huuuuuuge Nerd
Joined
Oct 27, 2025
Messages
59
Hi all.

I'm elbow-deep in trying to figure out how to make a programmed display work with a normal one, and need a bit of guidance.

We have quite a large non-programmed display,
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but just off to the left of this photo is a little dead zone
1776138502531.png1776138514209.png

I have a baldrick 8 with a 200w psu, a Large 360 Minitree (which I am planning on splitting into two 180s), three tiny DIY arches, a bunch of lights (both seed and bullet), and access to a 3d printer.

I was testing some sizes with what I have before buying new stuff, but i just can't seem to get any good ideas.
1776138793630.jpeg

I was thinking of putting trees and the like in the gaps in the hedge, framing the fence and the old shed, and putting arches and canes along the bottom of the fence.

TL : DR:
Nerd needs help coming up with an actually good way to make programmed lights blend into an existing display.
 
If it was me and looking to keep the static display, i would separate out the sequenced bit of your display to one side of your house. You have a really nice section of retaining wall that has lots of depth and height. Another benefit is it keeps all your controller outputs close together and you won't need a crazy amount of extension cables

I would go nuts on that side
- outline the wall and fence. Verticals and horizontals are really effective in sequences
- singing trees/faces. Can't go wrong, everyone loves them.
- mini trees and canes
- archs
- some mini snow flakes for more interest and props
- flood lights to light up the wall. I was amazed how much they added to my display. Hightly recommended
- a high definition prop (Rose Grande show as its one of the most popular, but lots of good options out there). It's a lot of pixels for one prop (1392), so would recommend second year as you get more bang for your buck in more smaller props. In my display i have 20 48pixel flakes, they are way more effective that one 1000pixel prop.

Another thing to consider is you really love sequenced lights (like a lot of people here), the static display stuff might reduce each year hahah.

Hope that gives you some ideas :)
1776158883805.png
 
Thank you!

We're a little worried about theft or damage, so might not have that many props low.

The floods are a great idea, we were already planning on getting some for the static lights.

And is it possible to run all of this off of the 200w psu I already have?

Im a little worried about high-density props.
 
DinoChickenSuit said:
Thank you!

We're a little worried about theft or damage, so might not have that many props low.

The floods are a great idea, we were already planning on getting some for the static lights.

And is it possible to run all of this off of the 200w psu I already have?

Im a little worried about high-density props.
Click to expand...
No unlikely a 200w psu will be enough. I was more just focusing on the layout that any kind of constraints with power/controllers.
 
First thing is that blending static lights and pixels is really hard. The pixels will be moving and changing color and your static will be well static. The static will wash out the pixels unless they are "outstanding". So, concentrate for now on making something that competes on its own (like Johnnyboy showed) or doing something outstanding in the midst of your lights like a megatree or singing faces. I really like the Johnnyboy ideas, but you will need to figure out how far your 200 watt supply will carry you.

Your little arches don't scale very well for what you have. Make 6 more and now you have something more interesting. A fence full of candy canes would be something outstanding and a good way to spread out the pixels.

200w supply likely not more than 1000 pixels depending on actual draw. That would be running maybe 50% to the pixels. Seeds maybe a little more but they are usually a more dense string than pixels so less absolute coverage. Assuming you have 50 or 100 pixels in a string, start plugging them into the controller while measuring the power supply amps. Figure out where they pink out and move on to next port or do some power injection. Let us know how many pixels you can support per port and how many of that pixel type/spacing you have or just take those numbers and start looking for props/ideas with that many pixels.

Since you mentioned 3d printing and maybe that way you can sneak the build into your budget without buying more props... @Martin Mueller posted a 80 bullet pixel 3d printed star on https://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/forum/index.php?threads/a-new-star-design.61649/ Ten of them arranged in an interesting pattern (perhaps an arch or a zigzag or maybe a shooting star line) would be a good start.
 
Okay...

Did some testing, and the results are in:

- Can run approx. 75 pixels at 40% brightness before they start to yellow 😬

- The PSU seems to hold up with a few ports.


MikeKrebs said:
Your little arches don't scale very well for what you have. Make 6 more and now you have something more interesting.
Click to expand...
So I'm wondering if some of these could work instead? The single row says 50px.

MikeKrebs said:
@Martin Mueller posted a 80 bullet pixel 3d printed star
Click to expand...
I do like these, might print a few.

MikeKrebs said:
A fence full of candy canes would be something outstanding and a good way to spread out the pixels.
Click to expand...
Lots of the little 3D printed ones (approx. 30cm)? Or some bigger ones?

And I also have the minitree which takes up 100px.

If i even choose to do that area.

Only other space I could theoretically program is near our driveway (could do more outlines, but rendered brick wall is annoying).
1776235229438.png
But it is a rather long driveway and would require people walking up, and away from the main lights (and towards our washing line 🤢).
1776235282489.png
(don't mind the boat, it shouldn't be there :))


The other big thing is that we were planning on entering a contest this year, anyone know how the judges would react to a separate programmed 'area' of the display?
 
I have dimmable AC lights intermixed with my pixels. It takes some brightness control to make them work well together but it does make a nice effect. I also have some pseudo static elements (snowman, sled, reindeer) that provide a nice counterpoint to all of the blinky flashy. To be hones, looking at your driveway I see a lot of possibility. You may not get a megatree in there but a line of minit trees (20cm high) along the side of the driveway is a start. You have those high hedges that can support a lot of props (or a huge matrix). I might even outline the hedges with some AC lights. My advice: Experiment. Try things this year and then try something else next year. Over time you will collect the things that work and arrive at a great show.
 
Martin Mueller said:
My advice: Experiment. Try things this year and then try something else next year. Over time you will collect the things that work and arrive at a great show.
Click to expand...
Agreed with this advice. Things will work, things won't. But until you try, you have no idea - there were alot of things on my display first time round that I liked, and some I didn't and it took a bit of fidgeting to get right.
There is no "right" or "wrong" answer to all of this - whilst the ideas here are awesome, only you can decide what you enjoy seeing on your display.
And lets be honest - visitors are gonna love it no matter what.
 
Regarding the 75 pixels before going yellow, are you power injecting? The PSU should be able to power more than that, but the drop off occurs through the line, so power injecting at 100 pixels should solve this until the PSU is fully loaded. Unless you mean you are running 75 pixels across all 8 Baldrick ports and getting yellowing. I assume you have 5v pixels?
 
I'm not power injecting yet, seeing if I can make this year without it.

I will probably end up needing to, but trying to simplify for this year.
 
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