Griswold Christmas Light Controller Workshop Sat 12/3 1pm-4pm

[Christopher Cprek]

I'm seeing this retweeted, but it hasn't been on the Google Group yet:

http://www.lvl1.org/2011/11/27/griswold-christmas-light-controller-workshop/

In the Griswald Christmas Light Controller Class you will build your
own controller for up to 16 different channels that can all be
choreographed to music. Each channel is capable of supplying 120 volts
and up to 2 amps per channel. This translates to roughly 3 to 4
strands of standard mini lights per channel, or even more if you are
using led Christmas lights. The control software is called Vixen and
can be found at www.vixenlights.com. The controller board is the
TeensyLights16 which can be found at www.solsticewerks.com . The
controller is based around a Teensy Arduino processor from
www.pjrc.com and implements the Renard dimmable light controller
protocol.
See attached picture of the controller. Search youtube for 16 channel
Christmas ligths for some good examples.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB2aVND4-fw

There are 2 different tutorials on using the Vixen that can found on
Youtube. Both have a several videos in the series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCOby8K3HQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDKj52vXl7I

Prerequisites:
Attendees are expected to know how to solder, basic electrical safety
(unplug before touching after all we are working 120v mains power),
laptop with windows XP or greater for class. If you are new to
soldering or have not soldered in a while, I will be available 1 hour
before class to help bring you up to speed. Familiarity with arduino's
is a plus, but not required.

/Chris
Micro Colonel LVL1

[APBurner]

Hey are you going to make the gerbers or schematic available to those
that were unable to attend.
Steve

On Nov 28, 3:57 pm, Christopher Cprek <paxtita...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm seeing this retweeted, but it hasn't been on the Google Group yet:
>

> http://www.lvl1.org/2011/11/27/griswold-christmas-light-controller-wo...

>
> In the Griswald Christmas Light Controller Class you will build your
> own controller for up to 16 different channels that can all be
> choreographed to music. Each channel is capable of supplying 120 volts
> and up to 2 amps per channel. This translates to roughly 3 to 4
> strands of standard mini lights per channel, or even more if you are
> using led Christmas lights. The control software is called Vixen and

> can be found atwww.vixenlights.com. The controller board is the
> TeensyLights16 which can be found atwww.solsticewerks.com. The
> controller is based around a Teensy Arduino processor fromwww.pjrc.comand implements the Renard dimmable light controller

> protocol.
> See attached picture of the controller. Search youtube for 16 channel

> Christmas ligths for some good examples.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB2aVND4-fw

>
> There are 2 different tutorials on using the Vixen that can found on

> Youtube. Both have a several videos in the series.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCOby8K3HQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDKj52vXl7I

[Bill Piepmeyer]

Griswold Christmas Light Controller Workshop

Several people have requested to do the workshop in pairs (spouse, brother/sister, friend, etc), which is OK with me. I know I am not the creative type when it comes to the sequences synced to the music, so I had my kids help. So I know, its great to have help.

Just in case anyone is thinking of signing up at the last minute, there are are few things that will be helpful for the class.

Download Vixen Software from www.vixenlights.com

Download Arduino Environment Version 0022 (this is the latest supported by Teensy) http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software It is down the page a little.

Download teensyduino http://pjrc.com/teensy/td_download.html

Bring a low resolution image of your house or were ever you are planning on putting your lights. This is for the adjustable preview. Vixen lets you draw your lights on the house and them watch how your sequence might look.

Bring an mp3 of a favorite song to work with. Songs with stronger beats are easier to sequence IMO.

See you tomorrow,

Bill Piepmeyer

[Pat McCarthy]

1.    May I suggest

2.     

3.    Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wizards in Winter - YouTube

As an idea of what this may look like:

1.    Frisco Christmas Lights - Wizards in Winter - YouTube

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Patrick McCarthy

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[Pat McCarthy]

Spoke too soon… This one is even better J

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFRduK3Txe0

[Raj]

I've always wondered about this.  Do people actually play the music outside of their house along with the light show?  Or is it silent and look like the lights are synchronized somehow, but with the source unapparent?

---

From: Pat McCarthy <pmcc...@humana.com>
To: "lv...@googlegroups.com" <lv...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 2, 2011 4:25 PM
Subject: RE: {LVL1} Griswold Christmas Light Controller Workshop Sat 12/3 1pm-4pm

Spoke too soon… This one is even better J

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFRduK3Txe0

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain CONFIDENTIAL material. If you receive this material/information in error, please contact the sender and delete or destroy the material/information. --

[Ben Hibben]

Traditionally there is a short-range FM or AM transmitter and a sign to indicate the frequency...  :-)

Blenster