K-n-C's 
Christmas Lites Page
Click on these links to go to a section on the page...
[What is RPi?] - [What to do with it?] - [GPIO Fun!] - [Brainstormin']
[Do it!] - [Progress?] - [How'd ya do it?]
Christmas Lites PageSo, I heard about this supposedly cool, little micro-controller, embedded Linux computer thing, on some IEEE forums in October of 2013. Strangely it sounds like a dessert?... "Raspberry Pi". At first I was like "...eh, another Arduino clone. I don't really want to waste my time learning another operating system for a lame, little hardware gadget?...", then I started hearing more about it from Make magazine, and other Hardware sites I frequent. Finally, the Linux based home automation software I use was being ported to the Raspberry Pi, and that did it, my curiosity peaked.
After a little research, I realized this little credit card sized PCB was a full-fledge Linux desktop, and could run as a micro-server quite adequately. Plus... it had this GPIO - "General Purpose Input/Output" port (hmmm, That sounds interesting?). I decided I had to have one to play with... I could buy this little wonder for $25 US from the creators, a UK non-profit (RaspberryPi.Org), and wait almost 3 weeks for it to get to me, plus the shipping would probably be crazy-expensive?... OR I could just order it off of Amazon.com for $40, not pay for shipping, and get it in under a week... No Brainer?! (Be nice to me Amazon!!!)
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This thing is tiny?! 4"x3" with the case.
Did I already say this thing was Tiny?
Stack of 20 business cards....TINY?!
FINALLY INSTALLED... Ah, a familiar site: Debian Linux, and X.
Don't it look pur-ty?!
Are you ready for some LED fun?
Click on the graphic below to download the First GPIO Project VIDEO...
Success! I just might get this?!
Click on the graphic below to download the Second GPIO Project VIDEO...
I think I got this?!
The LEDs were fun, but after watching some Raspberry Pi YouTube Videos the gears started turning...
Click on the graphic below to download the POC VIDEO...
SainSmart Solid State Relay board for 30$... WHAT? It is definitely a must now!
I think it will work? :-/
But it is November 26th...
People take 6 months or better to do something like this? You don't even own any Christmas Lights. You probably can't get anything in time...
Grrrr... My woodworking skills suck, but hopefully the wiring will go smoother.
How did I miscount that? I thought I bought 10? Ugh! Back to Home Depot. 8|
Wiring is almost done. Looking good? (Pat, Pat, Pat)
Still waiting...
FINALLY, it is Pi Time!
Well, the Pi still works after connecting it up and booting... now for some electricity!
Ummmm... wait a sec... It is built, but are the 110v lines connected right...
So it is now Dec 16, the RPi Christmas Light controller box is built, we have most the lights, but no Lighted Lawn Manger... (The first one sent was defective. Now they are sold out.)
The Lawn Angel we wanted is sold out. The Animated Bells are sold out. 2 bad rope light segments, and they are sold out of the colors we want. Just buy more white I guess?
Finally Found and ordered another Manger. Whew! Hopefully, it gets here before Christmas!
My Crafty Better Half saved the day, by fabricating the trees, and a hanging Angel out of wire, and attached some LEDs.
At least we have something that doesn't look like just a string of rope lights now!
Alright, enough stalling... GET ON WITH IT! You can get the extension cords tomorrow!
Click on the graphic below to download the Light Test VIDEO...
We have Pi-Lights! WooHoo!
AND the new Manger arrived! Yay!
We have Extension Cords! :OClick on the graphic below to download The Show VIDEO...
Pretty Basic?!
...But Hey, It Actually Works! Next year we will probably add some more channels, more features, and an FM transmitter, but it made for a Fun Project this year just the same?!
Click on the graphic below to download a BONUS VIDEO...
Having some fun with a Jazz Chart I found online before tearing everything down for the year.
It just might be a bit busy?! :P
My Crafty Better Half saved the day AGAIN, by fabricating some very cool Sparkle Balls for the front tree.
We added 4 more channels with a Satellite box utilizing a Psuedo-POE scheme, and we added a LED lit sign to advertise the FM transmission.
Click on the graphic below to download The Show VIDEO...
Click on the graphic below to download a 3 minute VIDEO...
Click on the graphic below to download The Show VIDEO...
Click on the graphic below to download a short VIDEO...
Click on the graphic below to download a short VIDEO...
Click on the graphic below to download a short VIDEO...
Click on the graphic below to download a short VIDEO...
I am not going to write a complete how to because most of it has already been done here:
http://chivalrytimberz.wordpress.com
and here for an expanded video description with the MP3 piece:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKFrWDQY0rw
and here for a hardware description:
http://www.sainsmart.com/blog/relay
or here for a 4 part video tutorial on a similar hardware setup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI3xpoyVWAo
The open source Linux sound libraries:
http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Main_Page
The open source MIDI libraries:
http://linux-audio.com/TiMidity-howto.html
Finally the C program that syncs the lights to the MIDI file:
http://code.google.com/p/pi-lightorgan/source/browse/trunk/lightorgan.c
ChristmasProject@K-n-C.com