Behind the Lights - StempleLIGHTS 2007

[stempile]

I got lucky last year meeting a videographer that really like the Christmas light thing. He wanted to come out again this year and he did, a couple times. Here is the story... Enjoy. The story from last year is posted on YouTube.

2007 News10.net Story (http://www.news10.net/video/player_news10.aspx?aid=49752&sid=36585&bw=hi&cat=2)


2006 News10.net Story (http://youtube.com/watch?v=KZ1FFu4NKNY)


ms

[Macrosill]

Matt,
Great Job. That was an awesome story. I love it that you and your neighbor got together to do both houses. Kudos to both of you!

I need one of those pcb holders you had there.

[robots4joey]

I need one of those pcb holders you had there.

That's exactly what I was thinking!!!!!

[stempile]

I need one of those pcb holders you had there.

Check out this POST (http://www.christmasinshirley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487)

ms

[ibby1]

Matt,

We came by your house last weekend and thought it was great. I saw your neighbor that was in the news 10 video. How did you make the vertical screen of lights in the front the bushes? I look forward to next year’s setup.

Todd

[stempile]

I am going to write up a howto on what I am calling 'light fabric'. Plastic chicken wire and lots of zip ties. He is a video of me making one...

I made 50 feet of this stuff. We zip tied everything including the icicle lights. 3000 zip ties. The idea behind the light fabric is that we can roll it up quick and store it easy. Also it gets the lights out of the bushes and on top so its brighter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqLvip5nEQs

ms

[JaysonH]

I look forward to the How-To Matt, until then, it looks as though those are three strands, different colors perhaps?

[stempile]

I look forward to the How-To Matt, until then, it looks as though those are three strands, different colors perhaps?

4 strands - Red, Blue, Green and White. I am using a 4 channel SSRoz that gets attached to the fabric by cutting the ends off and hooking directly into the SSR. Most of my bushes are 4ft x 2ft with 800 lights, 200 of each color (2 stands of 100). I am using the same brand of each so the colors match and the bulb placement matches.

Before attaching to the chicken wire pull out all 4 stands and zip tie togeather every 5 or so feet making sure the group of 4 bulbs are lined up. Then attach to the green plastic chicken wire. Run each row about 1.5-2 inches apart. I found that for 24' lighted lengths of string will give about 1x2 sq feet of lighted fabric.

ms

[Wayne J]

I look forward to the How-To Matt, until then, it looks as though those are three strands, different colors perhaps?

4 strands - Red, Blue, Green and White. I am using a 4 channel SSRoz that gets attached to the fabric by cutting the ends off and hooking directly into the SSR. Most of my bushes are 4ft x 2ft with 800 lights, 200 of each color (2 stands of 100). I am using the same brand of each so the colors match and the bulb placement matches.

Before attaching to the chicken wire pull out all 4 stands and zip tie togeather every 5 or so feet making sure the group of 4 bulbs are lined up. Then attach to the green plastic chicken wire. Run each row about 1.5-2 inches apart. I found that for 24' lighted lengths of string will give about 1x2 sq feet of lighted fabric.

ms

Boy, did I learn that the hard way. Next year I am making a map of what strings are where, just for that purpose. :wink:

[jeff.ott]

Matt:

I live up the road from you in Roseville. Saw you on News 10. Way cool. I'm going to upgrade to dimming this year and add a bunch more lights. What controllers are you using? I saw from the video that it appears you are using Sean's SSRS. (the boards looked awefully familiar) Perhaps our physical paths will cross this next year. Any places locally you have found good deals on lights. I'm still looking.

[ibby1]

Jeff,

I am in Rocklin. The best place right now is Lowes. Try the one in lincoln, less traffic. They have multi color for 50 cents. Buy four and strip them to get 4 solid color strands.

Todd

[Macrosill]

Matt, looks like fun, just like making mini trees! Light Fabric is an intriguing concept. When I get some bushes I may need to borrow that idea.

[stempile]

Matt:

I live up the road from you in Roseville. Saw you on News 10. Way cool. I'm going to upgrade to dimming this year and add a bunch more lights. What controllers are you using? I saw from the video that it appears you are using Sean's SSRS. (the boards looked awefully familiar) Perhaps our physical paths will cross this next year. Any places locally you have found good deals on lights. I'm still looking.

Using wjohn's SSRoz boards controlled by two Renard64 XB boards. I bought 100% of my lights from TARGET. 40% energy savers. 200+ strings.

There are a few more SAC area people now. Going to have to plan a capital area event to meet everyone this summer...

ms

[knguyen220]

Jeff,

I am in Rocklin. The best place right now is Lowes. Try the one in lincoln, less traffic. They have multi color for 50 cents. Buy four and strip them to get 4 solid color strands.

Todd

Hey i'm in Lincoln and went to Lowes the other day and picked up about 17000 lights (white/multi/red/green) so I doubt there will be much left.
soz :P

[teberle]

Matt,

I like your idea. I have been toying with doing something like that for some time. I have Spira bushes and they don't fair well to the wait of the lights. i was going to build a frame but I like your idea better.

Tony