G'day From Gosford NSW

[rhys100]

Hi Everyone, settings up a big display for 2016 so very new to all things Christmas Lights.


Budget is $3000 and have decided on xlights/E1.31


My google doc is here for anyone interested.


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R8Id_aIrNJtsf5UqKHHGouRK6ML-cv6Y3-dgmeV9Z18/edit


I have only purchased some lights so far and been gathering ideas and requirements.

 

[kel]

 

[Strike]

Welcome!

I to am from close enough to Gosford... Also setting up a display *(in 2016) in the area for the 1st time after around 10 years of being a gunner... So if you need any help or want a chin wag give us a PM and we'll sort something out...

 

[dale82]

Welcome to ACL, to control those you will need probably also a DC controller as the p3 and p12 are pixel controllers I would suggest downloading the 101 manual first. I use both the p2 And p12 controllers and they are great.

 

[gerry]

Welcome to ACL !

Had a quick glance at your document. As dale said , read the manual before u do anything.

Try and avoid multiple PSU voltages . I use 12V for all pixels and 27V for the "Big W" lights that I already had. And you need multiple PSUs, plus some as spare.

Most of us buy lights from Ray Wu , Paul Z or Ben Brown - rather than off ebay stores.

I have several P2 controllers, but I also like the Pixlite16 and Pixlite 4 controllers.

Also have the Falcon F16V2 - but that is off a group buy only

I suggest that you look at the P10 panels after you get the other lights "up and running" as there could well be different types that become popular this year (folks are tinkering with P5 and P20 already).

You need a router for your show controllers , plus lots of cabling (many of us use a security cabling roll 100m or 300m).

The Raspberry PI with the Falcon Player is very popular for running your show

 

[B_P_J]

Welcome to ACL good to see more and more Coasties each year, I am from up at Hamlyn Terrace and have had a blast this year (even with the various issues due to the amount of rain we have had) my display is on until the new year if you feel like stopping buy, I am a big fan of Vixen and I am using the J1sys P12s for my whole display (I also have a P2 but not in use), so pretty happy with it, (see here for layout pic - http://i.imgur.com/SdZWFUg.jpg)
$3000 is a great start to get a really nice looking setup, other things to consider in your budget would be things like Solder, Heatshrink, Butane Gas (unless your iron is electric - but gas is fantastic for field work) - (surprising how much you will use of these) waterproof pigtails, waterproof junction boxes (higher IP rating the better - http://www.dsmt.com/resources/ip-rating-chart/) brick clips if doing outlines, etc (otherwise Hot Glue and lots of it) and lots of fusing (see AAH for his HEX Fuses - http://www.hansonelectronics.com.au/product/hexfuse/) oh and lets not forget all the cable, I ended up running Cat5 to the Strips for Data & Negative and an additional Fig8 for power injection,
On the tester side I always use the DA_E131 tester from here: http://www.da-share.com/software/da_e131/ with the lights connected to the P12 or P2 seems to do me fine and might save you a couple of dollars,
Great thing is your starting early, so you have a whole 10 months to purchase and start building, word of advice....... start your setup early, I left mine a little too late and spent many hours out there each night (still waiting for the divorce papers, lol)
Enough rambling, here at ACL everyone is helpful and can point you in the right direction, with out everybody here I would have been struggling to get all mine sorted, but in the end all the nice words from the people as they are watching your show makes it all worth while, to see the smiles and joy on the kids and adults faces...
Love it... proud to admit I have CLAP in a big way....

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to ACL. Much fun to be had.

 

[lizardking]

welcome to acl i have only been here a year and met some awesome people get ready to write down or screen shot lots of useful info there is heaps out there

 

[i13]

The document is a good start. Note that you can choose a pixel tester voltage to match your pixels. Also it can be quite risky to buy ordinary non-RGB strings unless you can see them in person or have them custom made. If there is an 8 function controller then there needs to be at least 3 wires going to the lights. Controllers for the 2 wire type are hopefully being developed. Check your existing light sets.

You probably can control the solar lights but I don't know enough about them to be sure. They'll need a very low voltage supply. The colour changing lights might need to be run with a relay. You'll need a DC controller for your non-pixel lights. This is an example but it needs some work to get it going http://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/HD712 See the forum thread linked in the wiki article.

If you're only using the P10 panels for a tune to sign with David_AVD's new controller then go for it. The controller is new and not for sale yet. Express your interest here http://auschristmaslighting.com/forums/index.php/topic,7926.0.html

You can use a router for multiple controllers but a switch will do the job if you can keep track of your controllers' IP addresses.

 

[djgra79]

Welcome to ACL Rhys, plenty of friendly helpful knowledgeable folks around here.
Jump into chat when you get the chance and swap ideas and tips in there, but good start on building a plan via this thread.

 

[Bird]

to ACL

As already suggested, the new revised 2nd addition AusChristmasLighting 101 manual is a great resource for all things RGB and more.

I would go through this several times, ask questions and then read it a few more times before purchasing anything.

 

[thecrazylightlady]

Welcome to ACL

 

[the grinch]

Welcome to acl

 

[firebug]

Welcome to ACL... 8)

 

[Mm]

Welcome to ACL Rhys. Enjoy the next 12 months.