Category Archives: AVRs

RGB Window Outlines

Window outlines are a popular display items. They accentuate the house beautifully. There are two things you’ll discover when installing windows lights – String length might be a problem, and tape won’t hold them. Whether you’re putting lights up inside … Continue reading

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Handling Errors

My controllers use two LEDs to indicate controller status. H1 – DMX Activity flashes to indicate DMX data has been received and processed. H2 – Power / Error is on to indicating Power is ON and there are no errors.  … Continue reading

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More Lantens

Those that have seen my display will know i like Lanterns. I have about 30 of them. Whilst at Bunnings recently I picked up 6 more. These are larger that most and are galvanised. Now to work out how to … Continue reading

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Dual Pixel DMX Bridge

One of the great technology waves to hit Christmas Lighting is Pixels. For me probably the most historic display was my MrPacjkethead in NZ several years ago. I purchased a number of pixel strings add to our display. 4 years … Continue reading

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Candy Canes mk2

I bought some more candy canes from Hot Dollar shop again this year.  They are translucent red with a white strip. This year I want them on the nature strip so they need to be self supporting and self contained. … Continue reading

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It is up an going

This year is a low key display. I have remove all the pixels. There will be no Beth Star. The Mega tree made it up with only 2 string failures The spinners made it back the Wreath made it out The … Continue reading

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Hacking a Grinch Dimmer

I needed a Grinch dimmer fast and I wasn’t able to buy a PCB from RPM in a hurry, so I hacked one. So this is how I made it: next the Bottom – it isn’t as complicated or hard … Continue reading

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DMX Start Address

All my controllers and most other DMX controllers used in the Christmas Lights hobby don’t use switches to set the start address like most commercial applications.  As far as I can see, there are two main reasons for this: Our … Continue reading

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P9813 demo

Finally got a chance to code a ATMega 88 to try out the P9813. P9813

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E31.1 DMX over Ethernet

Moving from multiple USB-2-DMX dongles to a system based on E31.1 components requires a bit of planning. I sorting the Ethernet side of this project pretty easily, by adding a basic Ethernet Switch. Decided it will be best to utilise … Continue reading

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