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How long does it take to set up the display? Setup typically begins in late October and goes on throughout November. But in order to have a display of this size, work on the display goes on throughout the entire year. I take the display down in January and take a couple of months to recuperate, then I return to the hobby, repairing old items and building new ones.
How much electrical power does this require? I finally had to come up with a limit to the power my display uses. That limit is 180 amps at 120 volts. All my electrical connections are up to code. I don’t skimp on anything. I check and re-check the amount of current used on each circuit and extension cord. I only connect 3 sets of lights attached end-to-end and limit extension cords and circuit breakers to 80% of their stated limits. My power bill goes up about $225.00 for the month of December. But I am in the process of changing over from old fashioned bulbs to Light Emitting Diodes which require only 20% of the power I now use.
What are the operating hours? The display will operate December 4 through December 31. Operating Hours are 6:00 until 9:00 Sunday through Thursday and 6:00 until 10:30 Friday and Saturday.
How can I make a donation for the charities. For cash donations (Going towards the benevolent fund at Union Baptist Church) place these donations in the “Donation Station” under the street light at the house. For toy donations (Going to the children at the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson) place new, unwrapped toys in the collection Chimney also under the street light.
What about the radio station? Do you remember the toy walkie-talkie’s that many of us received as Christmas Gifts? Do you remember the range of those devices? Well the FCC allows hobbyist to set up hobby “radio station” that have the same power output of those toy walkie-talkies. The transmitter is attached to a music source such as the audio output jacks of a personal computer. The transmitter is also attached to an antenna and you have a hobby radio station. The FCC has power and transmitted distance restrictions which must be adhered to . I have invested in radio station software and have a collection of about 75 Christmas CD’s. All of this goes together so that my lights have music.
What makes the lights dance to the music? The lights are connected to a personal computer through an interface connection. There are several manufacturers of these interfaces. The interface of choice is made by Light-O-Rama of New York. After the lights are connected to the interface and the interface is connected to the personal computer, sequencing software takes control of the lights. Every display owner either purchases music sequences or programs their own. Each song that is used in the light show requires HOURS of programming. But the smiles on the faces of those who come to visit and make a donation to our charities make it worth all the work. |