Wizards Of Winter How to do this

[zell66]

Am new to this posting but my dear wife and I want to do somthing like this, with our lights. the only problem is HOW????

Please help us acheave this goal.

zell66

[Wayne J]

Welcome.
First you need to determine how many channels you want/need/ can afford.

Then pick out the type of controller. (ie.. 595, grinch = on/off, renard = dimming)

Then you will need the appropiate amount of relays.

Download Vixen.

It is very close to crunch time so a large channel count would be out of the question for this season.

[zell66]

ok what is vixen? We are so new to this. looking to do something small this year then go larger next year.

[grages]

ok what is vixen? We are so new to this. looking to do something small this year then go larger next year.

Vixen is the Software that we use to sequence the Shows.

[zell66]

what is the web site to download this?

[grages]

Hardware you will need ( which Wayne already alluded to these items)

1 parallel or serial adapter (depends on the next selection)
1 Grinch (64 on and off only channels) or 1 Renard 64 (64 each channel dimmable )
SSR boards (16 , 4 channels per board)
Parts for each and time to solder them, not that soldering takes that long.

This works with your existing computer but it will need a serial or parallel port or be able to add one or use a usb to parallel/serial. You can also draw the power to drive the Grinch or Renard off of the Computer.

Other things you will need is a lot of extension cords and Cat 5 cables and a whole bunch of lights.

This quickly becomes an obsession.

[grages]

what is the web site to download this?

I believe if you scroll down to Vixen on the forum main page and click into the Beta 3 subforum its the first post and Free.

[zell66]

OK thank you all for the ideas. But... where can we get a stet by step outline for beginners with basic electrical knowledge. And I do mean basic. We need instructions on computer software and how to do everything. From step 1 to step 1001. lol

[Mudsculpter]

Get to the ChristmasWiki at the top of your screen. Read some stuff there. This hobby does take some studying to do this safely.

The software has some instructions in the dropdown help but quite frankly, it takes some "hands-on training" to get it. download the vixen file, run it. and familiarize yourself with the software.

For this year, for you, I suggest getting either one 595 or one Grinch board and 16 ssr boards and the appropriate parts. Go to the DIY store and search there for some deals. There are a few guys (and gals) with some extra parts they are trying to unload.

Above all else have fun and enjoy your new hobby,... soon you will think of nothing else.

[Josh]

personally with this short amount of time, i would go with a simple 8 channel or even a 12 channel. not much work envolved in building one of these and it will give you more time to program songs

here is a link to a 8 channel http://computerchristmas.com/christmas/link-how_to/HowToId-2/A_simple_8_circuit_parallel_box

[wjohn]

IMHO,

Go with the GRINCH, it has only 4 ICs and is a sinch to build. While it is 64 channels, you could start off with just using 16 or 32 channels, and get a feel for the hardware.

To start with, think about your house, where did you put lights last year and what would you like to do this year.

This will give you some ideas of where your lights can go and the logical assignment of lights to groups and channels (defn: a Group is a set of lights that make a logical relationship i.e. 4 candy canes - Channel one controlleed output connect to one or more sets of lights.

Select you music. Get something you like, and listen to it many, many times. get a feel for the chorus, where the instuments come in, etc Have a look on the wiki for the guide to designing a sequence.

download Vixen. Ask questions in the forum from the experience programmers. get started writing a few routines.

Talk a picture of the front of your house. Usie this in Preveiw with Vixen to help layout the display.

Order the PCBs and parts.

Sort out, buy extra and test your lights.

Do some test runs inside your home with a few channels.

Hang your lights and connect up the controllers and SSRs

Launch the Program is Vixen

Stand back and Enjoy....



John.

[Omnicef]

IMHO,

Go with the GRINCH, it has only 4 ICs and is a sinch to build. While it is 64 channels, you could start off with just using 16 or 32 channels, and get a feel for the hardware.

To start with, think about your house, where did you put lights last year and what would you like to do this year.

This will give you some ideas of where your lights can go and the logical assignment of lights to groups and channels (defn: a Group is a set of lights that make a logical relationship i.e. 4 candy canes - Channel one controlleed output connect to one or more sets of lights.

Select you music. Get something you like, and listen to it many, many times. get a feel for the chorus, where the instuments come in, etc Have a look on the wiki for the guide to designing a sequence.

download Vixen. Ask questions in the forum from the experience programmers. get started writing a few routines.

Talk a picture of the front of your house. Usie this in Preveiw with Vixen to help layout the display.

Order the PCBs and parts.

Sort out, buy extra and test your lights.

Do some test runs inside your home with a few channels.

Hang your lights and connect up the controllers and SSRs

Launch the Program is Vixen

Stand back and Enjoy....



John.


And if this sounds real quick, It just sounds that way. But it is addictive. I am almost finished making all my boards and dist boaxes and am now into testing and programming. I hope I make it in time. :D

[sotodesler]

I am also new and want to get some opinions about something. Use LED or standard lights? I like the power savings of LED, but am concerned about brightness. Can they be dimmed the same as standard lights? Thanks for any thoughts.

[Omnicef]

I have heard of the LEDs being dimmed. Root around and you can find info on that. Regarding the brightness, it is a matter fo what you buy. Most are pretty good for what you want. The hard part to swallow is the price to set a display up. While you will save in the electric use, and therefor your bill, the upfront cost is a few times more than minilights. As I had to start from square one and the outlay for parts and lights was getting up there, I elected to go with minilights and then start swapping out to LEDs as I can. I am not into dimming at this time so I am not really focusing on that. Have fun!

[TED]

I like the power savings of LED, but am concerned about brightness. Can they be dimmed the same as standard lights?

It depends on the LEDs being used. Some dim better than others. Some don't dim properly. The LED sets from www.creativedisplays.com are supposed to work with dimming. It's not clear to me what you concerns with brightness are. LED sets are very bright. Some of the colors are very striking.

TED

[Matt]

If you use a design such as the Renard with PWM code installed, it should dim LEDs fine. It depends on the LED string, really.

-Matt

[andyhough]

Go with the GRINCH, it has only 4 ICs and is a sinch to build. While it is 64 channels, you could start off with just using 16 or 32 channels, and get a feel for the hardware.

:(

So, I went to the wiki looking for the Grinch plans but apparently he is living up to his name, and stole them from the wiki. It says there was supposed to be a document attached. Could someone email it, or post it someplace it can get toggen? (Found the Grinch plans at the Grinch Forum)

Also, I think I poorly soldered a couple of wires together in the 5th grade, so, is it reasonable that I can build all this stuff?

Is it possible to buy stuff so I can start sequencing being that there is 41 days 18 hours 53 hours and 43..no 42.. wait ..41 .... no 40 seconds left!!

Finally, I have not seen a single ssr for less than 10 bucks. Anyone have a pile left over from a coop we could chat about?

Has anyone used Vixen with the Phidgets API for their interface boards? Being that I didn't know what DIY stood for until AFTER I ordered 2 0/0/4 relay boards, I should probably use them for a sweet little 8 channel show this year.

http://www.phidgets.com/Thanks, and I am really excited.

[RavingLunatic]

So, I went to the wiki looking for the Grinch plans but apparently he is living up to his name, and stole them from the wiki. It says there was supposed to be a document attached. Could someone email it, or post it someplace it can get toggen?


Go to the Grinch forum, all the info is contained there.


Also, I think I poorly soldered a couple of wires together in the 5th grade, so, is it reasonable that I can build all this stuff?


Assembly of coop boards on this site is a snap. Your soldering skill will improve as you go. Of course results may vary. :D
This thread contains a very helpful link: http://www.christmasinshirley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=859


Finally, I have not seen a single ssr for less than 10 bucks. Anyone have a pile left over from a coop we could chat about?


Parts for the coop SSRs mainly used here add up to about 10 bucks alone and then board is about another $1-$2. The coop SSRs give you 4 channels so that works out to $2.50-$3 per channel, not so bad.

[JFTiger]

It has been my experience that the images posted into the forum directly have not always appeared unless you log in first.