Hamilton Lights Build

jamesski

jamesski

Apprentice elf
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Messages
86
Hi guys James here, I bought my own house 2 years ago and for the past 2 years I have done a static Xmas light display.

Below is a photo of last years set up, but I have recently discovered xlights and ACL in December and have been playing with xlights ever since.

IMG_0210.JPG

Here is a photo of my rough layout, I’ve set myself a budget of $2000 all up for 2000 pixels. I’ve made a few eBay orders from China for stuff like cable glands, stand offs, fm transmitter etc.

IMG_1022.JPG IMG_1057.JPG

I’ve picked up a Raspberry Pi from Umart and a F8 distro board from Ben.

I’m currently in the process of getting details for my Ray Wu and Boscoyo/ExtremeLightingDisplays order.

I’ll be using a F16V3 as my main controller for this build as my display is fairly central.

My aim is to have everything built by July and then I can sequence from then up until Halloween/Xmas.

I was going to do a custom Ray Wu order for all my pixels but decided to do everything myself as a learning curve and if something going wrong I can easily fix.

I’m located in Brisbane, hoping to get to the mini meet but depends on my work etc.




Will post updates along the way
 
Lot's of progress happening, got my Falcon F16 from @darylc and vents from @David_AVD. Got everything mount to the piece of plywood in ammo box.
Did my first order from Ray, have bought one power supply to test everything which is on it's way. Will order 3 Meanwell's from Ray in my next order.

Can anybody see anything wrong with my wiring?

Also have created a Facebook Page for my display www.facebook.com/HamiltonFamilyLights

Will be doing my Boscoyo order from @Troy ELD soon as I'm pretty much set on my layout.
Screen Shot 2019-01-15 at 10.33.08 am.png

IMG_1199.JPG
 
looking good.. I'm not fan for sharp bends like that one with the red tape on it.. me I would make it a lot longer and loop under the PCB.
 
Good point @burnt There are actually bend radius specifications and sharp bends should be avoided especially if they are right at the connector.
Found this wire calculator, which includes a bend radius calculator.
 
burnt said:
looking good.. I'm not fan for sharp bends like that one with the red tape on it.. me I would make it a lot longer and loop under the PCB.
Click to expand...
OzAz said:
Good point @burnt There are actually bend radius specifications and sharp bends should be avoided especially if they are right at the connector.
Found this wire calculator, which includes a bend radius calculator.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys, I have to re-do that connection anyways as there is exposed copper. will make the wire a lot long and loop it back around
 
Looks nice James, I know the feeling well about starting out and at first it can seem all a little daunting

I like your layout and looks like you are making some solid steps in getting everything done.

I did Halloween last year as a "Test" and I am glad I did as it gave me a chance to sort a couple of minor issues out etc.

My little question: Why the cover for the F16 (it does look neat), you looking to provide protection to the board etc, just make sure it has adequate ventilation etc and there is also a fan output direct from board if you want to connect your controller box fan direct to the F16, or you can simply connect the fan directly to your power supply.

I like your Falcon sticker in your box (hint, hint, Daryl)

Thanks for sharing your build progress so far also, its nice to see how others design and implement their setups etc.
 
LawrenceDriveLights said:
Looks nice James, I know the feeling well about starting out and at first it can seem all a little daunting

I like your layout and looks like you are making some solid steps in getting everything done.

I did Halloween last year as a "Test" and I am glad I did as it gave me a chance to sort a couple of minor issues out etc.

My little question: Why the cover for the F16 (it does look neat), you looking to provide protection to the board etc, just make sure it has adequate ventilation etc and there is also a fan output direct from board if you want to connect your controller box fan direct to the F16, or you can simply connect the fan directly to your power supply.

I like your Falcon sticker in your box (hint, hint, Daryl)

Thanks for sharing your build progress so far also, its nice to see how others design and implement their setups etc.
Click to expand...
Thanks, yeah Halloween will be the test. I left the cover on for the time being, will take it off when it comes time to power it up.

Only going to have 2 songs for Halloween will have about 5 for Xmas. The google drive sequence’s have been a big help, going to try do one of my own.

Edit- I’ve got extension on order for fan to reach the f16 connector. Also do I need exhaust and intake fan? I’ve ordered 2 but only installed the exhaust fan.
 
Last edited:
Hi James,
Did you make the F16 cover yourself or purchase from somewhere?
I like it - but does indeed need some kind of direct cooling around it (just to be safe :) )
Cheers, Chris
 
Chris_Mas said:
Hi James,
Did you make the F16 cover yourself or purchase from somewhere?
I like it - but does indeed need some kind of direct cooling around it (just to be safe :) )
Cheers, Chris
Click to expand...
The cover came with the F16 it was just protection for transporting, i have since chucked it out.
 
Build Update
Got my first delivery of AusCoro this week, got everything built, glad I got the pixel pliers.
Really impressed with the Modular Matrix that ill be using for my tune to sign.
For my gutter outline, I have decided to bit the bullet and drill 290 holes in 25mm conduit. This will last longer that other alternatives and will be neater.
Next step is to do my second order from Ray Wu which will be my power supplies, more pigtails(30 wasn't enough it turns out), RGB strips for arches, extensions. Don't think ill need power injection tee's but ill get 5 anyways to be safe.

Tune to matrix video - https://www.dropbox.com/s/s9swiqb95lw1nnz/Video 22-2-19, 3 57 06 pm.mov?dl=0
Mini Tree video - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ojnggroqu7c9sb6/Video 22-2-19, 11 27 21 am.mov?dl=0
Candy Cane Video - https://www.dropbox.com/s/u4h4ha1hh3kpj33/Video 22-2-19, 2 35 51 pm.mov?dl=0
Snowflake Video - https://www.dropbox.com/s/xdoofdd7lg2as5p/Video 22-2-19, 1 25 39 pm.mov?dl=0
 
It has been a while since I updated this thread, lots has happened

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8w92tg0qqxus3jc/Photo%2022-2-19%2C%204%2012%2043%20pm.png?dl=0

Here is a photo of the Tune to matrix, however I won't be using this as a tune to sign anymore, as its a waste of pixels, will use as a normal matrix

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kai8uw7n40jot90/Photo%2022-5-19%2C%208%2037%2035%20pm.jpg?dl=0

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o094qzdd4fm9vxz/Photo%2022-5-19%2C%209%2043%2039%20pm.jpg?dl=0

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ksogabv7rda4dq8/Photo%2022-5-19%2C%209%2052%2058%20pm.jpg?dl=0

made up my own mini Coro arches with some corflute from Bunnings


View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7pmwiadaj1ci413/Photo%2014-6-19%2C%209%2054%2057%20am.jpg?dl=0

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qvcrd5u4jexz9r0/Photo%2013-6-19%2C%204%2012%2025%20pm.jpg?dl=0


Got some air seeder hose and made up some arches, I was going to copy LDL's design for his node arches but wasn't too impressed with the wires hanging out of the arch, will use 2811 strip instead.

More to follow
 
View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yx8n2501wfptgkv/Photo%2019-5-19%2C%207%2038%2004%20pm.jpg?dl=0

meet up with Troy after the QLD mini to get some Coro, I couldn't attend due to work

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hhxr0egm7d85ie1/Photo%206-6-19%2C%203%2000%2023%20pm.jpg?dl=0

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ja34vwje5a919rt/Photo%206-6-19%2C%203%2017%2017%20pm.jpg?dl=0

Test mounted my snowflakes onto roof, will need more re-inforcing at xmas time

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/l4fj8u37ttbketp/Photo%202-5-19%2C%2010%2030%2012%20am.jpg?dl=0

Test mounted $20 gumtree speakers

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ktzg8xp7h6st8a0/Photo%2019-5-19%2C%208%2021%2014%20pm.jpg?dl=0

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7shueiy437mbcwo/Photo%2020-5-19%2C%207%2042%2037%20pm.jpg?dl=0

Also got some chroma pucks from Troy to test as cheap floodlights, the results were pretty impressive


More to follow
 
Last edited:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/18wea9ir2327hma/Photo 20-5-19, 7 57 31 pm.jpg?dl=0
Tested out one of my four mini trees to see how they looked outside, don't think ill need flood lights as these put out enough light themselves

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jzxjp8826szgdy4/Photo%2023-4-19%2C%205%2019%2007%20pm.jpg?dl=0

put some boards up in my roof to store the props.

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9eawm35m9826kyy/Photo%2025-4-19%2C%2011%2006%2044%20am.jpg?dl=0

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zr742uonawxkd2q/Photo%2023-4-19%2C%2012%2004%2008%20pm.jpg?dl=0

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/l4ncjjezqln0tgu/Photo%2024-4-19%2C%2012%2009%2037%20pm.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r4yu59e714plkon/Video 26-4-19, 5 55 47 pm.mov?dl=0
Got my roofline sorted out, used 25mm conduit with 3" spacing, used a step drill without a drill press.

View: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fw2klq8mp9svaxa/Photo%205-2-19%2C%207%2014%2012%20pm.jpg?dl=0Also
did up some 16 reject shop lights

Thats all more now, need to order some power supplies from Arrow, and do another Ray order for mega tree pixels, strips for arches, extensions, power injection tee's and pigtails.Wont do this order for a little while yet
 
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