Projects & How To
Here you will find how the display is made. Please use the links beneath to jump to the different components of the display.
Light-O-Rama Computer Control (240v AC)
2007
Always just short in wire, Malcolm adding a couple of metres.
2008
Boxes to house extention cords ready for painting.
LOR units in Car Port, The display is controlled by a computer using Light-O-Rama software and controller products. Controllers are connected to each other with daisy chained RJ45 CAT cable (cable which is used to network computers together).
LOR AC units all connected up and ready for use. These are situated around the opposite side to the Car port
Extention cords ready to go into boxes. As we have 240 volt in Australia, 3 metre extention cords were used, cutting off the Male end, and attaching spades to the postive (brown) and neutral (blue) wires, to connect to the LOR boards.
2009
As I had purchased more Controller boards in 2009, a change in position for the AC controllers, (which to controll the 21 Mini Trees, by 3 colours). Note the Blue plastic lids at the bottom, by the cords. These were Ice Cream lids, that I cut up to use as labels.
Closer inspection of the AC board enclosure.
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Light-O-Rama Computer Control (24v DC)
2009
In 2009, I purchased 6 x DC boards,I decided to use 2 X 12 volt batteries, in series to power the boards, on the left was the 24v charger. I also made up separate connected, so the lights could plug straight into.
After all the time setting up the board, the BLUE LED's failed to glow or were very dim. Thanks to Eddie, it appears the Blue LED's needed at least 28.5 volt. I had to scrap the battery idea, quickly, purchased 2 transformers.
The setup with 240volt down to 24v DC, plus all the lights connected. On the top lwft hand side is 12v transformer which was dedicated to the 12v DC Flood LED's.
Battery setup to start with.
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Mega Tree Pulley System
2007
2007's first attempt.
2007's Mega Tree with lights atttached, took over 2 days to put together.
2008
Pulley System.
Tree topper, 3 sided star, slides into tubing on left in picture
Pivot system for 2008.
2007's Mega Tree idea did not work as expected. Need to modify, so as it was difficult to raise and Lower. Thus a pivot system was designed, worked well.
Due to yard contstraints, the light pole was used to mount the Mega tree.
2008's Mega Tree with the new pulley system, worked like a charm. Note the red rope going to the roof, this is used to raise and lower the top section.
2009
Mega tree up in 3 hours
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Mega Tree Topper
2009
Mega tree toper, I used rope light that was cut at approx 1 metre lengths, bent some flat steel, to the same lengths, welded them together, then zippy tied the 3 rope lights, they each have a separate controller channel.
Under the Tree topper, the pulley system to raise and lower the lights (Red cords). The green cord is used to raise and lower, from the roof, the pole which is pivoted, lower down.
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Mini Trees
2006
Ready for painting. 20 Mini Trees made from steel rod welded together.
2009
In 2009, I felt the Mini trees were not bright enough in previous years, at the beginning of 2009, with the after Christmas sales I purchased 60 sets of Red, Green and White 10 metre rope lights very cheap. We wrapped the trees, Malcolm and Carl testing a tree in the Photo. After we completed, the trees, I started to have a funny feeling that I might be drwaing to much power. Leith came and verified that if I put all the Rope ligyhts on, 42 Amps would be drawn. MMMMM. I could only have 1 colour on at a time. Lesson learnt.
Complted Mini trees, a great idea, but created more problems ie power usage, anf lengthing the cords, as they are 240 volt.
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Leaping Arches
2007
Winding of Arches
More winding, second shift on duty.
2009
One of the Mega Arches on the Lawn
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Reindeer Ropelight Motif
2009
Over the last few years, I had thought of Father Xmas flying over the roof line. I decided this year 2009, to make up 6 sets of Deers and a FC. Frame work welded and bent ready for painting.
First undercoat of all the pieces.
A working bee of the Elves that were helping tie on the rope lights, Hazel, Pam, Beryl, Pat, Marie, Debra
Hazel having a joke....
All the reindeers finished
End result fixed to the roof.
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LED Spots
2009
12 v LED flood lights I made. 50mm pvc pipe cut to length, hole sawed some plastic I puchased. Cut a piece of 500mm pipe 10mm wide trimmed a small piece out, then glued it inside. The LED then just fitted in side, siliconed it in place with a small clear plastic cover.
The pieces ready for assembly.
Finished Flood LED, there were 32 of these made.
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