FAQ
Why do you do this?
Why Not? I have always loved Christmas Lights, Music, and Computers. This was a way to combine all three to make something unique and different. The real reason though is because it celebrates the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is another way to express our love for Him and what He has done for us and mankind. We hope that those who watch our display draw a little closer to God.
There are about 45,000 lights.
If everything was on, it would consume about 6953 watts or 64 amps. I had to install 8 dedicated circuits to be able to power everything. Most of the time only 30% of the display is on because it is animiated which helpes conserve power. A lot of smaller displays acutally use more power than mine, because they are always "ON". The power bill for 2007 was only about $30 more than normal.
We use a small FM transmitter the broadcasts on 93.9FM. It only goes a short distance which allows people to listen to the music within sight of our display.
Like any hobby, it takes quite a bit of time if you add it all up. I plan and work on things throughout the year but things get really busy during November when I start spending all my weekends putting up lights and usually take a week off work right to get everything set up. I have my kids that come over and help with some of the bigger stuff (the Mega Tree). For the 2009 season I spent about 250 hours or so designing the display, making the leaping arches, programing the display, etc.
How do you control the lights?
Everything is controlled with software and hardware that is a do it your self product. Our display for 2007 we are used 32 different channels, for 2008 it is 112 channels and 2010 I'm using 128 channels.. This allows us to control almost every element in our display between Red, White, Blue and Green. Because of how the display has to be set up, we use 3,000' of extension cords. This is a whole new endeaver this year. I've done a 100% switch to a do it yourself product where the product is designed by individuals and you need to order the parts from the supply center. There is no already created products you need to do your own soldering.
Every has been supportive of the display. Nobody has been vocal that they don't like it. I know that during the concert by Judy Pancoast in 2010 many of the people off the block came over and enjoyed the show. If you come to visit the display, please don't block the road.
Songs for 2010 are
A Soldiers Silen Night
Amazing Grace
Carol of the Bells - Monique Danielle
Christmas Eve Sarajevo - Trans Syberian Orchestra
Humbugs - Manheim Steamroller
Jingle Bells Techno
Little Drummer Boy - Go FishMusic Box Dancer - DJ Schwede
The Driedel Song - Air Force Singing Sergeants
Wish Listz (Toy Shop Madness) - Trans Syberian Orchestra
I'm still working on:
A House on Christmas Street - Judy Pancoast
Carol of the Bells - David Foster
We Three Kings - Go Fish
??? I really dont know and don't want to know the whole extent of what I spent on this project.
I work for the Orange County Public schools as a Computer Tech at a local Elementary School.