HELP! What do I need for a mega tree?

[christmasmatt]

I’m thinking of getting a mega tree for next year. What equipment and lights should I be using?

I want it to me around 3 metres tall and be able to control it via an app.

 

[merryoncherry]

This question is very broad and allows a huge number of suggestions.
Can you say a bit more about what you expect the tree to be able to do, and what the app allows you to control?

 

[christmasmatt]

This question is very broad and allows a huge number of suggestions.
Can you say a bit more about what you expect the tree to be able to do, and what the app allows you to control?

Any sort of app that can make the lights look like this or just x lights is fine:
View: https://streamable.com/aqpsbz


Or what would you use?

 

[Croydon Lights]

X lights would be fine for this
down load xlights set up a mega tree and try different effects and see what you get
With out spending any money you can see what you could create and then work out how large a tree you want

 

[BazzaV]

Many options but for my mega tree I used an old Hill Hoist clothes line I had laying around for the support (replaced the rising pole to be longer), topper from a seller on here, 180 degree bent tube made up for the base, 5v pixel lights and pixel strip to give 24 strands of 50 lights each. The main part of the tree is 2.7m tall plus the star.

not sure why the image is rotated when I post it in here

 

[Notenoughlights]

Old trampoline bases are very good for the base ring on a mega tree, they pull apart and often have holes for helping you line up where strips go if your strip count is similar/close to the holes on the base. They're also very cheap because people just want to get rid of old trampolines!

 

[Indigogyre]

Things you need:
1. Base
2. Base Ring
3. Riser Pole
4. Topper to hold strands
5. Strand material
6. Pixels
7. Controller
8. xLights
9. RemoteFalcon
10. Raspberry Pi
11. Internet
12. A LOT of misc. hardware, bits and bobs to put it all together.
13. Money
Optional: Some sort of star or ornament on top.

There are so many different ways to build a Megatree and each one can be totally unique. You can buy a complete kit or make everything yourself or do something in-between.

ACL Megatree database

It occurred to me that many people often ask in chat, forum or Facebook pages about other's megatree designs. How they were built, materials used, pixels spacing and all the rest of the details. So I had the (hopefully not too crazy) idea that a central location to document everyone's megatrees...

auschristmaslighting.com

Mega Tree Calculator | Tools | LightShowHub.com

The Mega Tree Calculator and Simulator Tool allows you to interactively design, and precisely visualize your Mega Tree Project.

www.lightshowhub.com

 

[bert-nc]

Things you need:
1. Base
2. Base Ring
3. Riser Pole
4. Topper to hold strands
5. Strand material
6. Pixels
7. Controller
8. xLights
9. RemoteFalcon
10. Raspberry Pi
11. Internet
12. A LOT of misc. hardware, bits and bobs to put it all together.
13. Money
Optional: Some sort of star or ornament on top.

There are so many different ways to build a Megatree and each one can be totally unique. You can buy a complete kit or make everything yourself or do something in-between.

ACL Megatree database

It occurred to me that many people often ask in chat, forum or Facebook pages about other's megatree designs. How they were built, materials used, pixels spacing and all the rest of the details. So I had the (hopefully not too crazy) idea that a central location to document everyone's megatrees...

auschristmaslighting.com

Mega Tree Calculator | Tools | LightShowHub.com

The Mega Tree Calculator and Simulator Tool allows you to interactively design, and precisely visualize your Mega Tree Project.

www.lightshowhub.com

#13 was the first thing I thought of when I read the original post

 

[christmasmatt]

how much would be talking?

 

[christmasmatt]

Also why lights should I use? Where could I buy them from?

 

[djgra79]

How much is hard to answer as there are too many variables.
As for lights, there are a few options such as (just in pixels) bullets, square nodes, strip, seed pixels, 5v or 12v?
Many of the suppliers are listed in our wiki: https://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/Lighting-suppliers

 

[Adsy]

Also why lights should I use? Where could I buy them from?

Light it LEDs
Hanson Electronics
Extreme lighting displays
These have most of the necessities and they are here in Australia

 

[Johnnyboy]

how much would be talking?

Assuming the following for pricing.
- 3m height at 2inch pixel spacing (60 pixel strings), assuming 24stings is 1,440pixels (budget $0.35each min) = $504
- pixel strips 100m $220
- Controller $200-$500
- Power Supplies $200
- Controller box $50
- Cables $200
- Pole/s $200
- trampoline base free
- Steel Topper $150
- Coro Star/Topper with pixels (assuming 270 pixel star) = $150 including pixels
- Misc hardware (Hooks, bolts, cable ties, bungy balls, guy wires, ground anchors, winch etc) $300

Total $2,200 - $2,500

It's quite scare how quickly things add up in this hobby!

 

[christmasmatt]

Which Raspberry Pi should I use to support around 32 string? Where can I buy 32 strings each around 4m each? ones that will be able to run simple patterns using x lights

 

[djgra79]

3+ or above will be more than fine for not just 32 strings but thousands of strings in the future if you build more over the years.

Can I suggest you have a watch of this video which covers all the things to consider for the hobby, definately worth the watch (and presented from our very own Keith who is one of the main xlighst devs)

View: https://youtu.be/jf7uLhUObAk?si=6f0YToRMp5BYmfDR