scharbon
11-11-2007, 08:00 PM
This is my first year doing Christmas lights via computer - and I am betting I am learning lots of stuff some of the old hands have learned from their first set ups. For instance:
Do not fail to include the cost of extension cords and CAT 5 cable when budgeting for your set up. I kind of forgot about extension cords, and then went and bought them today. At least $100 in outdoor 16/3 extension cord. Reason I am not too sure about how much I spent on extension cords is because I spent more on CAT 5. Ended up using over 2000 feet of CAT 5 for 64 channels. Since I wasn't sure how much I needed (after the first trip to HD) I ended up buying a total of 3000 ft. I now have some left over - but I am sure I will use it next year as I grow my display (Free2hate900 - please PM me if you still need CAT 5).
However long you think it will take to set up - it will take longer. I intended to set up the whole shebang today - instead I was only able to run 16 CAT 5 cables and 4 power cords around the yard. Tomorrow I will set up SSRs and hopefully get 4 of 8 trees wrapped with lights (lowering my expectations)
If you lay out wires - people will play in your yard. No kids have played in my yard for two weeks. I layed out cables and it became the hottest gathering spot for 10 and unders. Managed to control the chaos, but it will be interesting as the month progresses.
No one wants to help until the end. My neighbors laughed at me all summer, no one would help me solder. No one would help me run cable under and over decks in and out of trees. But once all the hard work was done, about 4 people came over to "help". I think people want to take credit for the display "if it works" and want to distance themselves from it "when it doesn't"
Pine trees don't like nice shirts. They look cute and soft - especially the Christmas tree looking ones, but these trees hate shirts. One tree even ripped a hole in my shirt. Next time - I am wearing a work shirt. Now I just need to get the torn shirt in the garbage without getting busted. I didn't know it was a "Church shirt"
Work gloves are a good idea. Pine trees don't like hands either.
I am sure I will discover new things tomorrow. I will post my lessons. I hope others post their lessons too. Or am I the only silly newbie on the forum?
Steve
Do not fail to include the cost of extension cords and CAT 5 cable when budgeting for your set up. I kind of forgot about extension cords, and then went and bought them today. At least $100 in outdoor 16/3 extension cord. Reason I am not too sure about how much I spent on extension cords is because I spent more on CAT 5. Ended up using over 2000 feet of CAT 5 for 64 channels. Since I wasn't sure how much I needed (after the first trip to HD) I ended up buying a total of 3000 ft. I now have some left over - but I am sure I will use it next year as I grow my display (Free2hate900 - please PM me if you still need CAT 5).
However long you think it will take to set up - it will take longer. I intended to set up the whole shebang today - instead I was only able to run 16 CAT 5 cables and 4 power cords around the yard. Tomorrow I will set up SSRs and hopefully get 4 of 8 trees wrapped with lights (lowering my expectations)
If you lay out wires - people will play in your yard. No kids have played in my yard for two weeks. I layed out cables and it became the hottest gathering spot for 10 and unders. Managed to control the chaos, but it will be interesting as the month progresses.
No one wants to help until the end. My neighbors laughed at me all summer, no one would help me solder. No one would help me run cable under and over decks in and out of trees. But once all the hard work was done, about 4 people came over to "help". I think people want to take credit for the display "if it works" and want to distance themselves from it "when it doesn't"
Pine trees don't like nice shirts. They look cute and soft - especially the Christmas tree looking ones, but these trees hate shirts. One tree even ripped a hole in my shirt. Next time - I am wearing a work shirt. Now I just need to get the torn shirt in the garbage without getting busted. I didn't know it was a "Church shirt"
Work gloves are a good idea. Pine trees don't like hands either.
I am sure I will discover new things tomorrow. I will post my lessons. I hope others post their lessons too. Or am I the only silly newbie on the forum?
Steve