There hasn't been an update since New Years Day, so I figured it is time for an some news.

Regarding the 2010 display, there will be changes but most of it will be behind the scenes. The biggest change is the introduction of DC controllers which is safer and more reliable for syncronising LED lights to music than the 240v AC alternative. The controllers operate under the same proprietary Light-O-Rama protocol as the CTB16PC controllers used during 2008 and 2009, so I'm hoping there won't be too many bugs to squash when I receive them.

A few new additions will be added though! Three new rope light shapes were bought during the after-Christmas sales, and soon I shall be ordering new LED lights for the verge tree, putting an end to the unreliable incandescent mini's in that section of the yard.

Its been a few months since the last post, so it is about time I update all you Christmas light fanatics.

First of all, a new Christmas lights order of about 5,000 LED lights has been placed with a manufacturer in China via Starlight Christmas Superstore. I should be getting these in August or September sometime.

This year I am dumping my current method for computerising lights (Olsen595) with a commercial alternative that can do much more (Light-O-Rama) including operate the higher voltage lights safely. Financially, this single change is the killer this year.

After adjusting the amount of new lights and controllers that I'll be getting for 2008, the financial requirement now sits at approximately $2200. So far I've managed to raise just over $1000.

In other news, the computer page has been modified to display information in a similar fashion to the detail and history pages. However, this text is still based on the 2007 display at this stage.

The website has again been updated with a few more goodies:
1. There is now a streaming webcam available during the Christmas season
2. The 2008 photo gallery has been created (with a single photo)
3. The videos page as been redesigned
4. There are now two new pages - Details and History - in place of the former 'Quick Facts' area.

I am now at the stage of choosing what is needed for 2008 such as new lights and computer controllers. There will not be too many new lights this year as new computer controlling hardware is necessary which will cost in the thousands. A record breaking $2600 is the estimate upgrading cost for 2008, providing I can pull together enough cash.

I looks as though the origial budget for this year's display upgrades is not sufficient enough! It appears that the original budgeted $800 is only half of the amount that will be needed. $750 has already been spent on this year's display, and another 1800 LED lights need to be purchased (LEDs average at $35 per 100 LED globes). This means that the new 'target', although not budgeted, is $1500. $750 is required to be raised by October. $100 should be no problem, and one of my sponsors may be able to provide up to $150. This leaves $500 left to raise...

I hope it can be done!

In the next month or so I'll need to spend about $200 on Bright LED lighting for the roof and some of the garden - I have decided that I should start making the move to full LED, as the reliability and lifespan of these products is much higher, with the electricity costs lower. I could be a little short for cash, but let's hope it will be ok! I'll need to get two sets that are 8 metres long ($25) and three sets that are 10 metres long ($35 each). I've also sent out letters to the council and television stations regarding the 'Christmas Lights Adventure'. Hopefully they can help the adventure succeed by helping to advertise it.