The Control System

After considerable research, the control system we chose was the LightORama - CTB16PC. These units are available at any level of completion and are excellent for the display that will run from a computer. There is other hardware that can run in a standalone mode and a connection to a computer is not required. We are using 8 - CTB16PC's and 1 - CMB-16D controllers. This controller count gives us a total  channel capacity of 96 AC channel and 16 DC channels. The software that I run to sequence the lights to music is written and distributed by LightORama and you can also find a demo version on the Support page at the LightORama web site, look on the Links page to find the LightORama web page.

The Mega Tree

 The Mega Tree will hopefully be a new addition for 2008. I acquired a PVC kit from A Christmas Light Show and again it can be found on the Links page. The tree will consist of 32 channels and 16 strings of each Red, Blue, Green and Warm White LED's. Please stay tuned for the progress of this project.

The Mini Trees

The mini trees are made with 200 LEDs of each color for a total of 800 LEDs per tree, these trees are actually much brighter thatn they appear in this picture. I guess the led's play havoc with Merry Anne's auto settings on her Canon Rebel XT. The strings are wrapped and zip tied around inverted tomato cage frames. This worked very well for the first year using them in Surrey, due to not having to worry about very much snow. Now that the display will be in Prince George and there was about 3 to 4 feet of snow this winter. I will have to elevate them in order to keep them above the snow level, LED's don't get warm enough to melt snow.

The Tune to Sign

The sign backlighting is done with LED ropelight. The materials for the light box were purchased at a local plastics supplier in Surrey, but is generally available from any sign maker or plastics shop. The light box can also be purchased as a finished unit, but is a little cost restrictive. The "Listen to the Lights" lettering is a printed on vinyl sign material made at a local sign making shop for about $35.00. Total cash outlay for the sign and holder was about $75.00.

FM Radio Station

The FM transmitter was purchased through Ebay, but can be purchased other ways, just do a search on the internet. The FM30B is sold in kit form and took a couple of evening to assemble, solder and test. I chose 107.7 as the radio station, currently there isn't commercial use in Surrey or Prince George. I use this transmitter year round to transmit my MP3's that I have on my computer. By doing this I can tune any and all radios on the property to the radio station of choice to listen to my music. Zara Radio is the automation software we are using for the radio station.

LED, Light Emitting Diode

I indicated on another page that we use Full Wave Technology LED's and that I would try and explain the differrence between the 2 technologies, full and half wave. I have a link to the Wikapedia page and they explain this better than I ever could. Here is the link. In short, full wave is brighter!