FAQ
Why do you do this?
Why Not? I have always loved Christmas Lights, Music, and Computers. This was a way to combine all three to make something unique and different. The real reason though is because it celebrates the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is another way to express our love for Him and what He has done for us and mankind. We hope that those who watch our display draw a little closer to God.
Somebody said your display is "Wind Powered". I don't see the wind turbine in your yard.
It's true! The display is 100% wind powered. What I do is use power provided by my local power company, and then replace the power I use for my Christmas Display back onto the grid with Wind Turbines. For all the details you can visit www.renewablechoice.com - My display uses about 1800kwh and I have about 3000kwh replaced on the power grid.
How many lights do you have?
There are about 45,000 lights.
There are about 45,000 lights.
How much power does it take? How much is your electric bill?
If everything was on, it would consume about 33,000 watts or 300 amps. I had to install 17 dedicated circuits to be able to power everything. Most of the time only 30% of the display is on because it is animiated which helpes conserve power. A lot of smaller displays acutally use more power than mine, because they are always "ON". The power bill for 2006 was only about $80 more than normal.
If everything was on, it would consume about 33,000 watts or 300 amps. I had to install 17 dedicated circuits to be able to power everything. Most of the time only 30% of the display is on because it is animiated which helpes conserve power. A lot of smaller displays acutally use more power than mine, because they are always "ON". The power bill for 2006 was only about $80 more than normal.
Do you have your own Radio Station? How are you transmitting to my radio?
We use a small FM transmitter the broadcasts on 99.9FM. It only goes a short distance which allows people to listen to the music within sight of our display.
We use a small FM transmitter the broadcasts on 99.9FM. It only goes a short distance which allows people to listen to the music within sight of our display.
How much time does it take?
Like any hobby, it takes quite a bit of time if you add it all up. I plan and work on things throughout the year but things get really busy during November when I start spending all my weekends putting up lights and usually take a week off work right to get everything set up. My wife helps me with some things and I have some friends that come over and help with some of the bigger stuff (the Mega Tree). For the 2007 season I spent about 250 hours or so designing the display, making the leaping arches, programing the display, etc. I also spent another 50 hours outside during December playing traffic cop with volunteers because of the amount of traffic the display attracts.
Like any hobby, it takes quite a bit of time if you add it all up. I plan and work on things throughout the year but things get really busy during November when I start spending all my weekends putting up lights and usually take a week off work right to get everything set up. My wife helps me with some things and I have some friends that come over and help with some of the bigger stuff (the Mega Tree). For the 2007 season I spent about 250 hours or so designing the display, making the leaping arches, programing the display, etc. I also spent another 50 hours outside during December playing traffic cop with volunteers because of the amount of traffic the display attracts.
How do you control the lights?
Everything is controlled with software and hardware from Light-O-Rama. Our display for 2006 used 80 different channels and for 2007 it is 192 channels. This allows us to control almost every element in our display between Red, White, and Green. Because of how the display has to be set up, we use 5,500' of extension cords.
Everything is controlled with software and hardware from Light-O-Rama. Our display for 2006 used 80 different channels and for 2007 it is 192 channels. This allows us to control almost every element in our display between Red, White, and Green. Because of how the display has to be set up, we use 5,500' of extension cords.
What do the Neighbors Think?
My neighbors right next door to me really like it and don't have a problem with it. I think most of the neighborhood likes the light display but sometimes I am sure it can get frustrating when there is heavy traffic. If you come to visit the display, please don't block the road.
My neighbors right next door to me really like it and don't have a problem with it. I think most of the neighborhood likes the light display but sometimes I am sure it can get frustrating when there is heavy traffic. If you come to visit the display, please don't block the road.
I love the music you used? Who is the Artist?
Songs for 2007 are
Amazing Grace - Yule (Search iTunes for "Yule Amazing Grace")
Music Box Dancer - DJ Schwede (You can buy it from iTunes)
Overture (Miracle on 34th Street) - Bruce Broughton
Carol of the Bells - Monique Danielle (buy the song for 99cents here)
Winter Wonderland - Alexia Phillips
Jingle Bells - Master Tone (out of print but you can buy it used at amazon.com)
The songs for 2006 where
Winter Wonderland - Alexia Phillips
Overture (Miracle on 34th Street) - Bruce Broughton
Carol of the Bells - Monique Danielle
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Highland Pipers
Silent Night - Sinead O'Connor
Jingle Bells - Master Tone (out of print but you can buy it used at amazon.com)
Angels We Have Heard On High - Brian Setzer Orchestra
Songs for 2007 are
Amazing Grace - Yule (Search iTunes for "Yule Amazing Grace")
Music Box Dancer - DJ Schwede (You can buy it from iTunes)
Overture (Miracle on 34th Street) - Bruce Broughton
Carol of the Bells - Monique Danielle (buy the song for 99cents here)
Winter Wonderland - Alexia Phillips
Jingle Bells - Master Tone (out of print but you can buy it used at amazon.com)
The songs for 2006 where
Winter Wonderland - Alexia Phillips
Overture (Miracle on 34th Street) - Bruce Broughton
Carol of the Bells - Monique Danielle
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Highland Pipers
Silent Night - Sinead O'Connor
Jingle Bells - Master Tone (out of print but you can buy it used at amazon.com)
Angels We Have Heard On High - Brian Setzer Orchestra
How much did this cost?
???
I am not exatly sure how much I have spent but I could have bought a few 4-wheelers instead. I try and buy most of my lights after Christmas for the next year when they are 50%-75% off. Many people buy ATVs, Trailers, Home Theater Systems, Vactions, etc. Me, I buy Christmas lights.
???
I am not exatly sure how much I have spent but I could have bought a few 4-wheelers instead. I try and buy most of my lights after Christmas for the next year when they are 50%-75% off. Many people buy ATVs, Trailers, Home Theater Systems, Vactions, etc. Me, I buy Christmas lights.
What do you do for a living?
I have done a few things including owning a DJ Business (no money in that), Video Production, Graphic Designer, IT Director, and few other jobs. Currectly I do web work and mostly work with a product called Tahitian Noni Juice and created the web site at www.noniusers.com
I have done a few things including owning a DJ Business (no money in that), Video Production, Graphic Designer, IT Director, and few other jobs. Currectly I do web work and mostly work with a product called Tahitian Noni Juice and created the web site at www.noniusers.com