Christmas Display
3 BS2E stamps
48·solid state·outputs (35 used)
7086 bulbs
This project uses the BS2e #BS2E-IC,·Stamp Controller Interface board #27945 and power pak #750-00008·for each program listed below. Outputs are Opto 22 using a 24 port output board (Ebay is a great source for these boards and modules at a good price) Most any Opto board with the 50 pin header will work fine.·Parallax has great documentation on the opto boards here http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/prod/indl/Opto22rack.pdf·along with output modules #27322
Wiring is a simple matter as Opto board pins 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 all get a daisy chain of 110vac (L1) power. and·Opto board pins 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16 become the·110vac (L1) control power for each outlet. The neutral is also·daisy chained to each outlet mounted on the enclosure. Remember to break the tab between the screws of the outlet so each outlet has its own power source on the L1 (hot side). I chose outlets and ext cords (30' for $1.79 ea. on sale) as in the past we have had people drive up into the yard taking out our·displays. At least the control box will be safe.
All house lights are icicle style with a string of clear and a string of blue running side by side.
The tree is constructed of a tree base (walmart) and 1 1/2 PVC for the mast The strings of lights are zip tied to a eye hook at the top of the PVC then run down to a metal hoop and back up to the eye screw 4 times per string. The hoop is 1/4" painted steel rod that was bent round·by a machine shop and welded together on the ends. There are a total of 15 light strings and the final bit 15 is the topper (walmart). The hoop is staked down using 1/8"·three foot rod bent in half that is placed over the hoop in 4 equal spots and driven·into the ground.
Triangle tree
This is composed of 15 four foot trees found at Kmart for $9·something each on sale. They are in a triangle formation with 5 in the front row, 4 in the second, 3 in the third and so on. As seen in the program they are numbered from back to front.
As you can see in the picture, my snow is well worn out from yesterdays setup.
I tried to make the program as easy to follow as possible. I am sure there are many ways to write it that are much more compact but this way makes for a good visual of what is happening with each light string.
Next year I hope to have it in sync with music and all 3 stamps taking to one another.
See the video here
http://home.mchsi.com/~siliconsurfer1/Parallax_Christmas.WMV
Post Edited (Eric R) : 11/30/2005 5:49:11 PM GMT
48·solid state·outputs (35 used)
7086 bulbs
This project uses the BS2e #BS2E-IC,·Stamp Controller Interface board #27945 and power pak #750-00008·for each program listed below. Outputs are Opto 22 using a 24 port output board (Ebay is a great source for these boards and modules at a good price) Most any Opto board with the 50 pin header will work fine.·Parallax has great documentation on the opto boards here http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/prod/indl/Opto22rack.pdf·along with output modules #27322
Wiring is a simple matter as Opto board pins 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 all get a daisy chain of 110vac (L1) power. and·Opto board pins 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16 become the·110vac (L1) control power for each outlet. The neutral is also·daisy chained to each outlet mounted on the enclosure. Remember to break the tab between the screws of the outlet so each outlet has its own power source on the L1 (hot side). I chose outlets and ext cords (30' for $1.79 ea. on sale) as in the past we have had people drive up into the yard taking out our·displays. At least the control box will be safe.
All house lights are icicle style with a string of clear and a string of blue running side by side.
The tree is constructed of a tree base (walmart) and 1 1/2 PVC for the mast The strings of lights are zip tied to a eye hook at the top of the PVC then run down to a metal hoop and back up to the eye screw 4 times per string. The hoop is 1/4" painted steel rod that was bent round·by a machine shop and welded together on the ends. There are a total of 15 light strings and the final bit 15 is the topper (walmart). The hoop is staked down using 1/8"·three foot rod bent in half that is placed over the hoop in 4 equal spots and driven·into the ground.
Triangle tree
This is composed of 15 four foot trees found at Kmart for $9·something each on sale. They are in a triangle formation with 5 in the front row, 4 in the second, 3 in the third and so on. As seen in the program they are numbered from back to front.
As you can see in the picture, my snow is well worn out from yesterdays setup.
I tried to make the program as easy to follow as possible. I am sure there are many ways to write it that are much more compact but this way makes for a good visual of what is happening with each light string.
Next year I hope to have it in sync with music and all 3 stamps taking to one another.
See the video here
http://home.mchsi.com/~siliconsurfer1/Parallax_Christmas.WMV
Post Edited (Eric R) : 11/30/2005 5:49:11 PM GMT
Comments
Great job!
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"Never create anything you can't control"
"The amount of intelligence on the planet is fixed... the population is growing"
See the update above.
I have seen the video you are talking about and it is just plain neat
I have about $320 into lights and materials plus the controllers. I do not have a total price on each controller as the·opto boards and modules were purchased at different times from Ebay as they were available.
The big tree I built last year and it took about a week to do while eeking out a full time job. The house lights, triangle lights and controllers were built in a week. The toughest part with the 15 trees is getting them in place without the wind blowing them over...
Next year I would like to sync the stamps and then sync it to music.·
You might want to look at the sequencer engine code I wrote and posted in the EFX forum -- it gives you a way of putting your light patterns into DATA tables and eliminates all the OUT = x, PAUSE y instructions. It's not designed to handle looping, but you could easily write a modified version that allowed you to loop sections of sequences stored in tables.
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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax
I have been keeping up with that thread and like what I see. That uMP3 player is on my list as is the Belkin TuneCast II http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_ID=166893·that will broadcast the music on FM radio. Break this apart and extend the antenna for better range.
Thanks for your sequencer engine code (from my thread http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=559230). I do have a copy for next year. I was already knee deep in this code when I got it.
I must say, you guys at Parallax are the best!
I am just curious as to how you overcome the typical 15ampere limit that most extension cords have.
(or do you notice a melted path in the snow where your extension cord goes? LOL [noparse];)[/noparse] ) Or have you noticed that most extension cords have higher in-the-field limits than they say???
When I wired the house I provided multiple GFI breakers for the outside outlets. Each control box (total of 3) plugs directly into a outlet along the front of the house. A 30 foot drop cord is used from each output of the control box to each string of lights.
Keep in mind that while your amp draw formula will figure the worst case, in this application there is some control over draw by how many lights your turn on at once.
The house lights draw a max·reading of 3.2 amps during the program cycle
The triangle tree draw a max reading of 4.6 amps during the program cycle
The main tree lights draw a max reading of 6.8 amps during the program cycle
That is a total of 14.6 amps if all the lights were to cycle at their max draw at the same time and that is possible since they are not in sync. However this does not apply to this application·as the three boxes have their own breaker.
Post Edited (Eric R) : 11/30/2005 8:27:20 PM GMT
I don't think I gave more than $15 - $20 each. I had plenty of time and watched a few auctions go by over the last couple years. There are still some good bargins on ebay if you are patient and keep looking.
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/videos/xmaslights.html
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Yea, I know what your thinking.....
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=558948
As a side note, according to the news, the person who had that display was forced to take it down due to traffic problems related to the display.
http://www.kcra.com/holidays/5493895/detail.html
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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support
csavage@parallax.com
any chance of you posting a schematic?· Even if it's hand drawn?· _ just trying to get a feel for how everything is connected.
Also -
If I have only 1 outdoor GFI·outlet at my disposal, is that going to be a limiting factor?· How can I determine maximum load (lights, etc)
As far as power is concerned, you would be best to get a string of lights identical to what you plan to use and take an amp reading. If you do not have this equipment·then take the string of lights to a local electrical contractor. I wouldn't imagine he would charge much if anything to test it as it only takes a couple of seconds. Multiply that reading times the number of strings for your total. I wouldn't exceed 80% of the breakers rating that powers your GFI outlet.·The rating is·always marked on the fuse / breaker in your panel. As you program your lights you control how many are on at any given time so you have some control over your amp draw.