Panaramic View of Leaping Arches 2020

I have 12 Leaping Arches across the front and 3 in front of the Door. The 3 in front of the door are installed early and also used for Halloween. Most of the questions and complements I receive are regarding the Leaping Arches.

This is a pdf document where I explain how I constructed the Leaping Arches. this includes the type of Poly tubing, the End Stakes, Power Lines and data lines.

Link to a Leaping Arches pdf

Tree Relay Documentation for 2021 season. This document shows details on how I constructed the Tree Relay sequencer for AC string lights. This includes schematics, C+ code, physical construction, BOM and weatherproofing. I upgraded to Solid State Relays (SSRs) this year and added snubbers to the circuit. Two of the boxes use ethernet connections and one of them uses WiFi. They are build into a Sockit Box with 6 ft 3 prong cords to connect to extension cords. I typically use one box for 3 trees. I string the trees with multiple color lights and I use these boxes to sequence the AC Light String with the Xlights display and make the trees appear to change colors.

Link to a Tree Sequencer with 16 Relays BOM and discussion pdf

The Following document is a PDF of the kicad schematic for the 16 relay tree sequencer.

Link to a Tree Sequencer with 16 Relays Schematic pdf

Arduino Ethernet version Code Here

I found this code online and modified it for my needs.  I believe the Author's references were left.  I have configured it for 16 strings of AC lights for the Tree Sequencer. I installed POST (power on self test) to help identify issues at powerup.  The POST would run for about 2 minutes every evening just before the sequence would start from the FPP (Falcon Pi Player).

Arduino WIFI version Code Here

I added Wifi to this code. I have blanked out my AP SSID and password.  It does send a lot of data over the Wifi.I have configured it for 16 strings of AC lights for the Tree Sequencer.  I installed POST (power on self test) to help identify issues at powerup.  The POST would run for about 2 minutes every evening just before the sequence would start from the FPP.

RGB Mega Tree Documentation for 2021 season.
This document shows how I constructed the RGB Mega Tree with WS2811 LED strips.   The center pole is telescoping square tube and a round plate at the top to hold a Topper sphere.  The Mega is defined in Xlights as 16 strings with 270 Degrees.  I have 4 data lines from the Falcon F16 V3 to feed data every 4 strings at the bottom(more data below).   The data lines are 75 to 100ft from the F16V3 controller.

The Document below has more details on the construction.

Link to a RGB_mega_Tree.pdf

Mega Tree Documentation for 2020 season. This document shows how to make the relays controlled by the FPP sequences. Schematics, Weather Proofing and Sequences.

This Mega Tree consists of 32 strands of LED AC lights. The relays allow switching individual strings on and off with the sequencer. This is accomplished with 4 x 8-channel relay cards. The leader cords (2 wire) from Box to the Bottom of each Light Strand is about 8ft. The Box is a SockitBox which remains weatherproof after installing components inside. I had no issues with any of the 32 relays for the 2020 season.

The Mega Tree is a mechanical construction using square steel tube with a Top Plate and a topper light Ball. The top plate has 18 hooks for light strings. The Steel tubing is telescoping and arranged such that the overall height is about 24ft; however there is the possibility of additional 8ft. The bottom concrete "stand" was constructed using an oversided piece of square tube 2"; concrete with nylon additive; using a water heater pan as a mold. There are 32 light strings attached to the steel structure and a 32 relay box to control the lights with my sequencer. The light strings used are 5mm 50L 6inch spacing about 25ft long. The Mega Tree is hand lifted into place using steel pins to hold it at intermediate points using holes in the tubing.

MegaTree With Lights 32 strings indiidually controlled

The Mega Tree Sequencer Box with 8ft. cables

The Mega Tree sequencer had 32 x 120V Power cords that are 8ft in length. There were no Mechanical Relay failures or issues with the Mega Tree Relay box during the 2020 season. Additional Relay failure comments below. The LED light strings were about 25ft. in length, The small Radius of the Tree is about 6ft. allowing calculation of the length of the hypotenuse. The Steel tubing is telescoping and arranged such that the overall height is about 24ft; however there is the possibility of additional 8ft. The bottom concrete "stand" was constructed using an oversided piece of square tube 2"; concrete with nylon additive; using a water heater pan as a mold. There is also a 4ft section of PVC under the stand that allows the steel tubing starting height to be about 6' (head high without ladder).

MegaTree relay box showing Internal Electronics

MegaTree box cables 4 x 8 cables top

MegaTree box Relays 4 x 8 relays center

MegaTree box Arduino mega and Ethernet Shield bottom, center

MegaTree box AC/DC power adapters,Right & Bottom

Relay Failure comments.

This MegaTreeBox had no relay failures for the 2020 season with 32 relays. However, I had other mechanical relay boxes that had issues before I inserted Snubber circuits into the relay box. So I have tried to characterize the different situations in terms of current and Inductance.  Note Household Power 120V here; currents are RMS and calculated based upon 69Watts per 1000 5mm LEDs which is 0.575mA per LED.  This is a Good estimate based upon my measurements with Red being the least at0.39mA per LED and Green being the Largest at0.69mA per LED.

Cord length LEDs Current Issue
8ft 50 29mA  None for 32 relays
100ft 780 449mA Yes repeated failure

Schematic for 32 Relay Sequencer

The schematic includes parts that are for reference only; consult the BOM before attempting to replicate.  The AC/DC adapters are shown in the schematic as reference; the actual devices used are included in the BOM.  Notice I used Mechanical Relays without failure which I attribute to the short extension cord and low current.  The Ethernet shield is shown for reference only and not schematically connected. I used a Cat5E cable to connect the MegaTreeBox to my network to accept sequencing signals.

Xlights Sequence for controlling AC Mega Tree

Mega_Tree_32_Relay_Seq_BOM

Link to a MegaTree BOM and discussion pdf

Arduino Code Here

I found this code online and modified it for my needs.  I believe the Author's references were left.  This was configured for 32 strings of AC lights for the MegaTree. I installed POST (power on self test) to help identify issues at powerup.  The POST would run for about 2 minutes every evening just before the sequence would start from the FPP.

tracy@tracyhollyhall.com