Toodle's Lights

22/4/09 - Tiny updates on Ren-C salvation and light arch musings.

1/4/09 - APRIL FOOLS!  Boy have I been slack and not posting . . . . SORRY!  I haven't been idle, but I have been goofing about! ;) 

8/3/09 - Worked on the Grinch/Ren-c a bit, I'm determined enough not to give up on it!  Also go myself a disco ball, how retro.  Can start my world domination with a Disco-in-a-Bucket.  I also need to get my a into g and buy LEDs, have received word from Mr wjohn that portaflood PCBs are in the mail.  Awesome!

4/3/09 - Parts arrived (cheer!), so built a DC SSR and mucked about with the old EL Wire.

24/2/09 - Well work is super busy and I lack the energy to be doing much!  Also waiting for parts to arrive doesn't motivate.  Tiny update here (car) and here (lights). 

9 & 10/2/09 - Got the "Aussie Ren 16" working.  Man I'm dumb, read just how dumb here.  And also read about norrowing down an "Aussie BOM" for a DC SSR.  The DC SSR PCBs arrived in the mail today - surprised they weren't burnt!  Just finished reading an update on the Melbourne Bushfires, you'd have to be a coldhearted person not to shed a tear (or 50) reading about it.  To call it awful is an understatement.  I say a prayer for all those effected, who lost homes, who lost loved ones and those still in fear of the fire.  May God (or whatever's out there) watch over and protect them.

7/2/09 - Put together the "Aussie BOM" Ren 16, read here about the result.   Needless to say I have some troubleshooting to do, always with the not working.  Update to follow.

1/2/09 - Not much going on this week.  Waiting on parts from Futurlec (ordered them 24/1/09, says they're shipped, so now the waiting game begins . . . .).  Once they come it'll be busy time soldering and testing, can't wait!  Off pay week, so not much buying, but I did have a muck around with the EL wire and LEDs, have a read here.   Also did a bit of research on DC SSRs, the parts list I cobbled together shows a difference in cost of about $23 between here and Mouser.  That's based on parts for just 1 little board - that gap could disappear upping the quantity, because I'm not hopeful about the Aussie dollar doing any better!  Also worked out the cost of LEDs for my 2 floodlights - about $100, ouch!

Another task I can do while waiting on parts next week is prioritising my expenses for this and the car.  I've got a few little projects floating that are going to cost me a bit of moolah plus there's talk of a Mini in Melb which I'd really like to go to, so I should start saving now (airfare and accommodation last year cost a little over $600).  None of this stuff is ultra urgent - so working out an effective way to spread the cost will be good.

25/1/09 - Started thinking about the light arches and fireworks burst today.  Check out here and here for the brainstorm session I had with myself (a stimulating coversation it was ;) ). 

24/1/09 - Been busy amassing parts for my Ren16, all that's left is Futurlec parts and a pic programmer.  Weighed up the pros and cons of locally purchased to-be-assembled kit programmer versus already built programmer from Microchip.  Worked out to be $20 more expensive to get the programmer from Microchip which is on backorder until mid-February.  So I think I'll go the Microchip programmer anyway - $20 is a small price to pay for reliability, plus the delay isn't a problem, I can wait.  Updated board plans on Project 1 page - fascinating!

Also been messing about with the car, read about it on the RC Car page and 2 more pics added to the photo album.

Additional Note:  I tried to upload my sequences from last year and MediaFire had a huge brain fart (yes it is medical term).  I'll try again in a few days or swich file hosting.

11/1/2009 - RC Car?  Yep I have a remote control car.  And guess what, it's broken.  But I'm working on getting her going again, check out the link above.  And on the lights front, I have 2 shinny new Ren16 boards!  I've also started to gather some locally available parts to test them out.  Jaycar Parts bought, and placed an order with Farnell. 

2/1/2009 - Added 2 more videos.  Another song and a video submitted as part of my DIYC competition entry for my Floating Fairies.

1/1/2009 - Happy New Year to all!  May your blinky projects all go well. 
Did a bit of housekeeping, 2008 stuff now all grouped together to make way for 2009 adventure!

27/12/2008 - Went lights shopping!  Read about the trauma here! ;) 

21/12/2008 - Added another video (Santa Goes Clubbing, see recent videos at the side).  Also added another photo album.  This is of the set up in day light.  View it here or click on the Photos link at the top.  Nervously watching the price of lights!  Keeping an eye out for cheap LEDs before they get snapped up!

20/12/2008 - I've started adding videos.  After a few false starts (needed new mini DV tapes, firewire cable needed replacing . . ), I have 1 video.  Woot!  Of course there's more to come, stay tuned. 

18/12/2008 - Already I've started on 2009 (can anyone say "no life"?).  While ideas are buzzing around my head and lights are still on sale, I'm striking while the iron is hot!  See Projects Page or here and here.
Also updated some more stats for the 2008 display, see 2008 Show Stats.

Check out my mate's sites!
Lithgow Lights (Australia)
Ahwatukee Holidays (USA)

** Be sure to check out Do It Yourself Christmas

I'm famous!  Sort of, my display is featured in the 2009 DIYC Calendar!  Also check out the DIYC CafePress Store for other stylish merchandise (some of it featuring my runner up logo "Santa Light Bulb").