Recent content by Iain

It’s looking good. There’s so much to learn so don’t try and get the equivalent of paid sequence on your first attempt! Some hints I’ve learnt: 1. Most songs have sequences of 8 bars. I will do an effect for two bars, and then usually reverse the effect for the next two bars, and repeat that...

I used to solder everything, but solder has potential dry joint problems if you don’t heat the wires properly, the insulation melts if you heat them too much, and it doesn’t stand up to vibrations and movement. Then I remembered the industrial switchboards at work always used crimped bootlaces...

Yet another perspective… I have a cheap laptop outside running my show in a plastic box, and everything is wired from there to my controllers. But so that I don’t have to open up the box and muck around outside with the mosquitoes, rain, heat etc. That laptop has a wireless connection to...

Their advice is great but don’t stop looking in the second hand forum. You can get some bargain bits and pieces at times.

Hey don’t worry, my first year I just had everything sitting in loose, not even with tape! I have both 12V and 5V power supplies. I’ve wired my 12V lights with Ray Wu connectors and my 5v with Xconnect. I have both in one large box (and other boxes around the garden). Buy a PS with some...

Oh I thought you were asking a different question! Search “power distribution”, there’s heaps of things from terminal blocks to this more purpose built: power8 fuse board.

If you just want manual control, you can get a three pack of Arlec remote control power outlets. They work pretty well. The remote lets you target one of the outlets or all of them together. If you have an xlights sequence then you might want to look into one of Alan’s relays above and see if...

What do you want to do with the relays? Synchronised on/off lots of times or just on at the start of the night and off at midnight?

Thanks Merry, I bought the bulk of mine in the early 23 pre buy, then another bunch in late 23 off Ali, which were probably leftover dud stock. It’s encouraging to hear that’s not going to happen again. Unfortunately I’d have to throw the whole lot and buy again. I don’t have the money for that...

I’ve been watching you for a while mate, those numbers inspire me! I met a guy in Darwin who excitedly told me about his regular visits to your place once he knew I was setting up the Blinky. I have to ask, how have you had so few failures? Do you have existing stock of better quality than...

Both me and the pixels... By the end of 2023, the weather was stinking hot and humid, and I was sick of splicing and replacing dead pixels. I had spent so much time and energy on my first big show that I couldn't look at anything Christmas lights related. Water was obviously getting into most...

2023

2023 from the movie Love Hard

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