It is halfway through December, and Christmas is not far away!
All videos of this year’s display have now been added to the website. But don’t forget photos, they have been uploaded too!
The 2011 photo gallery uses a new format to previous years. Is the new gallery format better or worse than previous years? Let me know!
A few days late posting this, but the lights are on. Running times as always are 8:30 to 10:30 pm until New Years Eve.
There are a few photos and one video of the 2011 display up now, with more to come in the next few days.
The final display items are going out now with just 50 hours left until the 2011 switch on.
With the weather looking good for this year’s switch on, you can see the lights doing what they do from Thursday, December 1, at 8:30 pm.
It is now full steam ahead with the display set up. All roof lights have been installed as of today, and there is a change here! What is the change? You’ll have to keep an eye on the 2011 photo gallery page for addition of new photos in coming days.
As in other years, the scheduled light up time will be at 8:30 pm on December 1. This will not occur if there are strong winds or wet weather present. Unlike previous years, there will be no official launch song.
As of today the 2011 Christmas display is being gradually set up. The mains-power 240V AC controllers have been installed while the new 24V DC controllers are almost completed. They should be installed by the weekend along with the DC controllers which were introduced last year.
A 2011 gallery page is now available, this year using a different page design. Let me know your comments on the new style of gallery. Former years continue to use an older design.
New DC controllers from Light-O-Rama arrived this week. 2011 will use more DC control than ever before due to the safety benefits over 240v AC control. This means there are less 240v extension cord runs needed to get a working light show.
I am now waiting on some replacement lights and low voltage cords to land in Australia sometime this month or in October and then I will have everying needed to make this year’s display.
The new FM transmitter has been powered and tested, and the range is more than sufficient for passing cars.
And on a different note, you may have noticed a migration message or small amount of downtime on this website. This is due to moving to an Australian-based web server for better speeds.
The website has received a few design updates in preparation of this year’s Christmas display. Including:
– New popout video page
– Enhanced menu bar
– Improved rollover descriptions on the Computer Control page
A new FM transmitter has been sourced from EDM Designs which should provide a clearer reception from the the street and maybe even a little further (although I am yet to power up and test how far it will go). The broadcast will remain on the same frequency of 88.9 FM this year. Transmitter model and photo are up on the Computer Control page.
That’s all for now.
Off Season update…
In the last few days I received an certificate in the mail from XYZ Networks (operator of several subscription TV channels on Foxtel). I thought what could this be, but low and behold it is a certificate of appreciation. How about that, eh? Something positive to offset the weather event and vandalism of 2010
Oh, and yes, there are still a few decorations to take down!! (It can’t be March already??)
The lights have now been switched off for the final time in 2010. I’d like to wish everybody a happy and enjoyable 2011. Thanks again to the people who extended their hand after part of the display was brought down by vandals.
Now comes the big task of tearing down the display and putting everything neatly into storage (perhaps I lie about the neatness… we will see).
Firstly, Merry Christmas Everybody!
As stated in my previous entry, the mega tree is standing again thanks to Ed of RegencyChristmas who is also a Christmas lights fanatic.
Unfortunately due to the differences in how the replacement LED strings are wired to my existing ones I cannot get the white and blue colours to light without running risk of burning out the red colours. The green colours light at a lower brightness, whilst the red colours light at full intensity.
There is just not enough time left in the season to try and resolve the problem now – but next year it should definitely be fixed.
I’d also like to thank Grant of Highbury who was willing to help. It is great that the Christmas Lights community is able to work together.
