LawrenceDriveLights
Senior elf
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2018
- Messages
- 582
Hi all, I thought I would start a new post about my adventure into our new sequenced Christmas lighting display.
Now I am completely new to this and don’t have a background in IT or anything like that. I am just one of those people who fumbles around to try and figure something out and normally has to google “How do you do ………” which seems to help a lot as well as asking questions on this forum and of lately in ACL chat and the Friday evening zoom sessions.
Anyway enough about me and more about my crazy idea for a Christmas light display. The background for this is for last couple of years we have done a very basic static light display with basic cheap store purchased 240V lights and a few blow up Christmas themed things (Santa’s, reindeers etc) just your average Christmas light display (or if the truth be told, below average). Now this display set up had no planning I would just throw a couple sets of lights up, plug them in and yep all done. I thought I was getting technical by utilising a timer to switch the lights on and off!
Then feeling very proud of myself after setting up Christmas lights I would Google Christmas light displays and of course came across the numerous Youtube clips of the large sequenced Christmas lights displays and thought yep that would be cool and started to think I wonder how they do that? That is so much better than just a random bunch of flashing multi-coloured lights going blinky blink.
Well after a bit more goggling I found about the Light-O-Rama set ups, and at first they looked good in particular they had a “Plug-n-play” set up, which I thought would be great then I noticed the costs involved in this type of set up and it seemed a bit limited.
I then come across the ACL forum, well that was a blessing in particular the numerous youtube clips uploaded from the ACL mini presentations and the information provided in the forum threads.
At the same time I also come across the couple of very popular sequences shared by Logan in particular Cant stop this feeling.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N79YZmuU7ac
And Logans star wars Uptown funk.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw8qLiqu01w
After viewing them lots and thinking yep that is cool I was sold so speak, I want sequenced Christmas lights!
My basic understanding gained from the forum and youtube videos etc was the following;
Computer program (something like xlights) sends data to a pixel controller which then controls the smart LED pixels (WS2811 type led) with some 12v or 5v power supplies thrown in the mix so to speak.
Ok first step then was the computer program, now that was a easy decision with Xlights and I just so happened to have a near new unused Laptop sitting around which I could utilize for a “show computer”. My first step was to download xlights, I wont go into much detail here but I did have the usual newbie issues with xlights in particular with channel numbering, but again after a bit of youtube viewing I came across one of Keith’s videos which sorted me out. Note: I believe the latest xlights now has a feature to assist with rectifying the channel numbering.
After having a bit of a play around with xlights I decided I would go with the following set up for our Christmas light display which would consist of a nice simple outline and some spiral trees.
So I managed to whip these models up in xlights and get them to run a very basic animation sequence (I hadn’t even thought about adding music yet).
Phase - 1
Great I thought, I better just tip my toe in the water and grab a pixel controller, power supply and some lights and see if I can make them go blinky, blinky before I jump in too deep.
This basic shopping list included;
12v 30amp power supply similar to this; https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-110-...824116?hash=item1c814457f4:g:QpUAAOSwnHZYbL0q
Some lights similar to these.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/50pcs-B...537056?hash=item3b06c35ce0:g:JPMAAOSwZVlXnsUK
Now for a pixel controller, now this is where I was starting to get confused and a little frustrated, I wanted to be able to keep it simple for my display and by the looks of all the support etc provided by the ACL forum etc a Falcon Pixel Controller was the way to go.
https://www.pixelcontroller.com/store/index.php?id_product=48&controller=product
Then I discovered these are only available via group purchase with the ACL forum and being a bit impatient and not sure when the next group bye was going to be (this was January 2018), or by purchasing direct from USA and having to use a freight forwarder.
So with a bit more googling I purchased a Advatek Pixlite 16 Controller as they where available from Australia.
After a few weeks everything arrived, great I thought and after much fumbling around I managed to get my pixel controller making my single string of WS2811 pixels go blinky, blinky. To be honest the biggest hurdle I had was sorting out IP addresses and configuring the controller outputs and channel numbers etc as I had never done anything like this before.
Ok Phase 2 - Design my layout and order some more lights!
I had designed my basic layout in xlights and it was something like this (Basic House outline and some spiral trees)
View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/l5a4nmus4ifj8dp/My%20Layout%20V1.jpg?dl=0
In helping with the design for my layout I did make up a very basic spreadsheet to help me with my power supply requirements from calculating the current draw from the pixels and also keep track of channels and universes etc.
The next step was to order some more lights and after more reading etc l decided to go with Ray Wu from Aliexpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/store/701799?spm=2114.10010108.0.0.1ece70b4am9Vvi
I was a bit hesitant about this, I had not used Aliexpress before and I did find Ray Wu’s shop a bit tricky to navigate around and to find exactly what I needed and then I was reading about how to email Ray with your orders details and you could save some money on the shipping as apparently the Aliexpress site calculator is expensive.
So I sent a email to Ray Wu (Email:ray@rita-light.com) with my order details and as I was still 100% sure on my layout I thought I will just order the following and I will be sure to have enough plus some spare.
10 x 100 string bullet 12v WS2811 pixel nodes
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/bul...de-all-BLACK-wire-IP68-rated/32806855578.html
I also ordered some extra wiring connectors or pigtails so I could cut and shut the strings as required.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10p...e-and-female-male-connector-s/1019853359.html
I did also order a very basic pixel controller to help with testing everything.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DC1...1.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.283.xqh66L
Now my initial design layout didn’t require 1000 bullet pixel nodes, but I thought I would get some extra’s just incase I want to add a couple of more things maybe later this year or next year, future proof myself so to speak!
I received a quote back from Ray Wu including shipping and I was happy with the price and sent my payment off and received a tracking number a couple of days later and within about a week or 2 a box of pixels and stuff arrived.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yw4n6wpc8m1zqaa/Photo 4-1-18, 1 25 10 pm.jpg?dl=0
I was then able to connect some of the 100 count strings to the pixel controller and get some very basic sequences displaying. I thought this was fantastic I was hooked so to speak.
Phase 3 - Time to make some props.
To help keep this thread short I have made separate forum threads for each of the types of props I have made.
In Summary
House Outline – Drilled conduit to suit 12mm bullet pixels.
View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q0fq9i7h1snm4i6/Photo%2015-3-18%2C%2011%2053%2043%20am%20%281%29.jpg?dl=0
Here is a link to my House Outline Build Thread
https://auschristmaslighting.com/th...se-outline-using-conduit-bullet-pixels.10928/
Pixel Count Total = 372 Pixels
--------------------------------------
Next was some Spiral Trees
Spiral Trees – Using Tomato frames and 12mm bullet pixels (not strip)
View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/122bphso47au8pw/Photo%2011-4-18%2C%201%2019%2050%20pm.jpg?dl=0
Here is a link to my Spiral Tree Build Thread
https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/lawrence-drive-lights-spiral-tree-build.10924/
Ok with the simple layout of the house outline and spiral trees I starting making some very basic sequences in xlights, while they where ok it was lacking with the variety due and some different props could help with that.
Pixel Count
Outline 372
Spiral Trees (no stars 300
Total = 672 Pixels
Phase 4 – More Props
--------------------------------
Arches
I liked the look of arches as they seemed to compliment a lot of Christmas type sequences and I liked the leaping arch type effects.
Firstly I was going to simply use some bent conduit and cable tie some bullet nodes to them so I made one up roughly and while it looked ok I liked the diffused look from having the pixels inside some transparent tubing.
Here is a picture of one of my arches (including sticks n stars which I will mention later).
View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ld0tfuod8ggt43s/Photo%2013-6-18%2C%2010%2021%2002%20am.jpg?dl=0
Arches – Using Air Seeder Tubing and square pixel nodes (not strip) build thread.
https://auschristmaslighting.com/th...-seeder-tubing-with-square-pixel-nodes.10925/
Pixel Count
Outline 372
Spiral Trees (no stars 300)
Arches 200
Total = 872 Pixels
To Be continued....
Now I am completely new to this and don’t have a background in IT or anything like that. I am just one of those people who fumbles around to try and figure something out and normally has to google “How do you do ………” which seems to help a lot as well as asking questions on this forum and of lately in ACL chat and the Friday evening zoom sessions.
Anyway enough about me and more about my crazy idea for a Christmas light display. The background for this is for last couple of years we have done a very basic static light display with basic cheap store purchased 240V lights and a few blow up Christmas themed things (Santa’s, reindeers etc) just your average Christmas light display (or if the truth be told, below average). Now this display set up had no planning I would just throw a couple sets of lights up, plug them in and yep all done. I thought I was getting technical by utilising a timer to switch the lights on and off!
Then feeling very proud of myself after setting up Christmas lights I would Google Christmas light displays and of course came across the numerous Youtube clips of the large sequenced Christmas lights displays and thought yep that would be cool and started to think I wonder how they do that? That is so much better than just a random bunch of flashing multi-coloured lights going blinky blink.
Well after a bit more goggling I found about the Light-O-Rama set ups, and at first they looked good in particular they had a “Plug-n-play” set up, which I thought would be great then I noticed the costs involved in this type of set up and it seemed a bit limited.
I then come across the ACL forum, well that was a blessing in particular the numerous youtube clips uploaded from the ACL mini presentations and the information provided in the forum threads.
At the same time I also come across the couple of very popular sequences shared by Logan in particular Cant stop this feeling.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N79YZmuU7ac
And Logans star wars Uptown funk.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw8qLiqu01w
After viewing them lots and thinking yep that is cool I was sold so speak, I want sequenced Christmas lights!
My basic understanding gained from the forum and youtube videos etc was the following;
Computer program (something like xlights) sends data to a pixel controller which then controls the smart LED pixels (WS2811 type led) with some 12v or 5v power supplies thrown in the mix so to speak.
Ok first step then was the computer program, now that was a easy decision with Xlights and I just so happened to have a near new unused Laptop sitting around which I could utilize for a “show computer”. My first step was to download xlights, I wont go into much detail here but I did have the usual newbie issues with xlights in particular with channel numbering, but again after a bit of youtube viewing I came across one of Keith’s videos which sorted me out. Note: I believe the latest xlights now has a feature to assist with rectifying the channel numbering.
After having a bit of a play around with xlights I decided I would go with the following set up for our Christmas light display which would consist of a nice simple outline and some spiral trees.
So I managed to whip these models up in xlights and get them to run a very basic animation sequence (I hadn’t even thought about adding music yet).
Phase - 1
Great I thought, I better just tip my toe in the water and grab a pixel controller, power supply and some lights and see if I can make them go blinky, blinky before I jump in too deep.
This basic shopping list included;
12v 30amp power supply similar to this; https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-110-...824116?hash=item1c814457f4:g:QpUAAOSwnHZYbL0q
Some lights similar to these.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/50pcs-B...537056?hash=item3b06c35ce0:g:JPMAAOSwZVlXnsUK
Now for a pixel controller, now this is where I was starting to get confused and a little frustrated, I wanted to be able to keep it simple for my display and by the looks of all the support etc provided by the ACL forum etc a Falcon Pixel Controller was the way to go.
https://www.pixelcontroller.com/store/index.php?id_product=48&controller=product
Then I discovered these are only available via group purchase with the ACL forum and being a bit impatient and not sure when the next group bye was going to be (this was January 2018), or by purchasing direct from USA and having to use a freight forwarder.
So with a bit more googling I purchased a Advatek Pixlite 16 Controller as they where available from Australia.
After a few weeks everything arrived, great I thought and after much fumbling around I managed to get my pixel controller making my single string of WS2811 pixels go blinky, blinky. To be honest the biggest hurdle I had was sorting out IP addresses and configuring the controller outputs and channel numbers etc as I had never done anything like this before.
Ok Phase 2 - Design my layout and order some more lights!
I had designed my basic layout in xlights and it was something like this (Basic House outline and some spiral trees)
In helping with the design for my layout I did make up a very basic spreadsheet to help me with my power supply requirements from calculating the current draw from the pixels and also keep track of channels and universes etc.
The next step was to order some more lights and after more reading etc l decided to go with Ray Wu from Aliexpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/store/701799?spm=2114.10010108.0.0.1ece70b4am9Vvi
I was a bit hesitant about this, I had not used Aliexpress before and I did find Ray Wu’s shop a bit tricky to navigate around and to find exactly what I needed and then I was reading about how to email Ray with your orders details and you could save some money on the shipping as apparently the Aliexpress site calculator is expensive.
So I sent a email to Ray Wu (Email:ray@rita-light.com) with my order details and as I was still 100% sure on my layout I thought I will just order the following and I will be sure to have enough plus some spare.
10 x 100 string bullet 12v WS2811 pixel nodes
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/bul...de-all-BLACK-wire-IP68-rated/32806855578.html
I also ordered some extra wiring connectors or pigtails so I could cut and shut the strings as required.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10p...e-and-female-male-connector-s/1019853359.html
I did also order a very basic pixel controller to help with testing everything.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DC1...1.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.283.xqh66L
Now my initial design layout didn’t require 1000 bullet pixel nodes, but I thought I would get some extra’s just incase I want to add a couple of more things maybe later this year or next year, future proof myself so to speak!
I received a quote back from Ray Wu including shipping and I was happy with the price and sent my payment off and received a tracking number a couple of days later and within about a week or 2 a box of pixels and stuff arrived.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yw4n6wpc8m1zqaa/Photo 4-1-18, 1 25 10 pm.jpg?dl=0
I was then able to connect some of the 100 count strings to the pixel controller and get some very basic sequences displaying. I thought this was fantastic I was hooked so to speak.
Phase 3 - Time to make some props.
To help keep this thread short I have made separate forum threads for each of the types of props I have made.
In Summary
House Outline – Drilled conduit to suit 12mm bullet pixels.
Here is a link to my House Outline Build Thread
https://auschristmaslighting.com/th...se-outline-using-conduit-bullet-pixels.10928/
Pixel Count Total = 372 Pixels
--------------------------------------
Next was some Spiral Trees
Spiral Trees – Using Tomato frames and 12mm bullet pixels (not strip)
Here is a link to my Spiral Tree Build Thread
https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/lawrence-drive-lights-spiral-tree-build.10924/
Ok with the simple layout of the house outline and spiral trees I starting making some very basic sequences in xlights, while they where ok it was lacking with the variety due and some different props could help with that.
Pixel Count
Outline 372
Spiral Trees (no stars 300
Total = 672 Pixels
Phase 4 – More Props
--------------------------------
Arches
I liked the look of arches as they seemed to compliment a lot of Christmas type sequences and I liked the leaping arch type effects.
Firstly I was going to simply use some bent conduit and cable tie some bullet nodes to them so I made one up roughly and while it looked ok I liked the diffused look from having the pixels inside some transparent tubing.
Here is a picture of one of my arches (including sticks n stars which I will mention later).
Arches – Using Air Seeder Tubing and square pixel nodes (not strip) build thread.
https://auschristmaslighting.com/th...-seeder-tubing-with-square-pixel-nodes.10925/
Pixel Count
Outline 372
Spiral Trees (no stars 300)
Arches 200
Total = 872 Pixels
To Be continued....
Last edited:
