Hi all I'm Ryan

[Techie09]

I live in the United States and as a Software developer I have interest in how the Christmas lights work. I'm currently working on developing a small setup.

Backstory:
I've been living in apartments for about 5 years now and they usually hold a best decorated contest around the holidays. (Halloween and Christmas). Its usually something like a $25(USD) gift card.

One year I bought a fiber optic Christmas tree about 1.5 feet tall. I placed it outside on our table with a tablecloth and some boxes wrapped up as presents. my sister-in-law used red and white rope lighting to make "candy cane" rails. We had a few other decorations, but we didn't win best decorated. That was when I had the idea to try to do a light show, but on a doll house.

Project:
Fast forward a few years to now. I am learning a lot already and have a stronger appreciation for the custom audio and sequencing tracks that people develop. I want to try to have some lights setup by Halloween, but not likely. my main goal is to build a 1:12 scale dollhouse and furnish it with Ws2812b LEDs for Christmas. I'm going to try to have 3 songs I've sequenced by then. If it turns out well, I will share my results.

 

[Mark_M]

Sounds like a nice project.

Welcome to AusChristmasLighting, ask away with any questions you have.

My first thought for a small number of pixels is an ESP82/ESP32 running WLED or a Raspberry Pi.
Cheap pixel controller, flash WLED to it and have a computer run the sequence. Otherwise a Raspberry Pi can run pixels directly and play the sequence (with audio).

Key software constantly mentioned:

• WLED - Running on an ESP based board. This can run basic programs on it's own or take live data input.
• FPP (Falcon Pi Player) to run on a Raspberry Pi or BeagbleBone single board computer. This is very powerful for all sorts of things (incl custom scripts).
• xLights - Go to software to create a sequence to music and xScheduler to run from a computer.

I have to warn, it is getting late in the year. Pixels are selling out fast and China suppliers are slowing down with orders. Get in quick.

 

[Techie09]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I have been researching and the ESP/NodeMCU stuff seems enough, but I decided to go with the Falcon PiCap. I have already been playing with XLights and started sequencing a song.

I have to warn, it is getting late in the year. Pixels are selling out fast and China suppliers are slowing down with orders. Get in quick.

I noticed this. I have a 1m strand of IP67 rated, 100 ws2812b lCUs. after some research I found IP 65 is generally easier to work with. I was trying to buy the BTF-Lighting on Amazon, but they are sold out. their website seems to have them in stock and I will be ordering some soon.

 

[AAH]

A quick question. You said a 1:12th scale dollhouse. What size doll is taken as being the standard?
I'd actually like to see the dollhouse lit up. It sounds like a cool concept.

 

[Techie09]

A quick question. You said a 1:12th scale dollhouse. What size doll is taken as being the standard?
I'd actually like to see the dollhouse lit up. It sounds like a cool concept.

The drawings I'm using are not using metric, and are 1 inch for every 12 inches. Its a two story victorian house with a roof and the height is a little less than 1 meter. Here is a picture I took from the drawings and used in xlights to start sequencing.

 

[Indigogyre]

Hello and welcome. This is my first year and I am learning about lights also. I love your idea of a dollhouse and think that Victorian model is awesome. I look forward to seeing how everything turns out.

 

[jollyzee]

That doll house looks awesome!!! Enjoy the hobby, but beware ... it can become a bottomless pit .
Anyway .. ask questions - the people here have a lot of knowledge. It's my 2nd year and I'm still learning. Being a Software Developer is a plus, programing is a necessary part of this hobby. Have fun!