2022 xLights behind the scenes

Software - xlights.org
Pixel controllers - kulplights.com
5v pixels
Kauf BR30 and A19 wifi bulbs
xLights discord here - / discord

[@tonylove3290]

Your show is awesome thank you for sharing, I have a question, How did you do your roof props and the 3 presets in the front? Did you custom make those or buy them somewhere? Thanks!

[@Bigrob444]

The roof lines, gutters and the windows (and verticals this year) are all drilled by hand. I use a mix of PVC and metal J trim. Any new prop uses magnets to stick onto the house now, which makes tear down and install a few seconds, and the magnets help with alignment over and over again. Roof snowflakes, spinners and presents are all from Boscoyo Studies.

[@wonderlandoftemucolaneholi6493]

Awesome job 👏

[@JacobEcret]

why do you run 5v vs 12 volts? seems like it would be alot of power injection

[@Bigrob444]

I am able to run more pixels per power supply and no chance of fires.

[@coreywalters2265]

What mode do you have this set to just do things randomly during the video?

[@Bigrob444]

I just have a playlist running like normal that I triggered manually. So actual sequences are playing like normal.

[@coreywalters2265]

@@Bigrob444 thanks for the reply. I want to switch over from wled to Kulp controllers this year but don’t plan to do an actual light show until next, so was just curious how it all worked out.

[@Bigrob444]

@@coreywalters2265 - Make the switch you will be very happy you did!

[@nickwc152]

Thank you for putting this out. I have been binge watching behind the scene videos of people setups. question I have been looking for some way to add my homes flood lights. I have Par38 fixters lights I guess those are old school flood lights that stick out that are Phillips Hue bulbs. Do you know if the type you have have a light like that I could purchase and flash? Edit I see you posted the link on amazon I will see if they could fit my home. Thanks again great display I will have to watch some of your show

[@Bigrob444]

The par38 bulbs are very similar to the BR30 bulbs I linked. The base is the same, so they should screw right into your flood light fixtures you have. No need to flash if you buy the Kauf bulbs I linked. Just need to configure them which I posted in a different video.

[@denn450]

When you updated the mega tree did you have to config the entire props again from start

[@Bigrob444]

Yes. Pretty easy to do in xlights. Took about 30 seconds. Pushing the pixels to the most time.

[@lightsintustin]

Can you detail your mega tree wiring? 200 per strand, at 5v, are you power injecting at the start, middle and end?

[@Bigrob444]

The Kulp controller provides power and ground to each strand since they are all hooked up to the controller, and then I inject power and ground at the top of the strands into a 'group'. I'll explain it a bit more: I divide my 16 strings into 2 groups of 8 (1-8 is left, 9-16 is right). Each strand has power and ground coming from it's own port out of the Kulp controller. Each power injection cable is a 4 wire 16 gauge cable. I run 2 wires (red and white) for positive and 2 wires (black and green) for ground. Each group at the top is tied together (1-8 power and ground are soldered together at the top, 9-16 power and ground are soldered together at the top). I run 1 cable the top 'group' down to the power distribution boards. The positives are all soldered together (8 positives from the 8 strings and 2 wires (red and white) from the power injection). The negatives are all soldered together (8 negatives from the 8 strings and 2 wires (black and green) from the power injection). At the controller I split the power injection to 2 ports (5 amps each). Red and Black go to 1 power injection port and white and green for the other. So we're supplying 10 amps of power at the top 'group'. Then I do the same thing for the other 9-16 strings. Sounds complicated, but it's very simple, I was just trying to write everything out in a clear manner. Let me know if you still have questions.

[@lightsintustin]

@@Bigrob444 thank you, I did the exact same thing this year but only had 50 pixels per string, 16 strings split into two groups so I only used two ports, then fed both groups with power injection at the bottom on every other. Now I'm thinking of going to 32, and 100 pixels, and would probably inject at the top. With 200 per string I'm assuming you're running at like 30%?

[@Bigrob444]

@@lightsintustin With how I wired it, we ran 70% brightness with no issues

[@CalvertLarry]

Hi Rob - I am reviewing your video for possible replacement of my garage door floods that point down. They burn floods like crazy so I am investigating changing them out and found your video! How cool if I could add to my xLights show (Falcon controller in the garage already). But it is all wired :(. Thoughts and could I pick your brain?

[@Bigrob444]

Hi Larry, seems like you reached out to me on Discord, and I'm sure we can get you setup with the Kauf wifi bulbs. :)

[@LordHog]

Nice job. Can you give a product link to the light bulbs you used if you can? Thanks, sir

[@LordHog]

Oh, just saw in the video comments of the light bulbs, so thanks!

[@Bigrob444]

smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B09L5PG848 & smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B09D6HR559

[@tube.perfect]

Can you post a product link of A19 bulbs on Amazon that you would recommend?

[@Bigrob444]

@@tube.perfect link is above. KAUF A21 RGBWW Smart Bulb with ESPHome, Compatible with Tasmota, Made for Home Assistant a.co/d/ivHOdjj

[@tube.perfect]

How did you sync the smart lights via xlights? Are they controlled by your Kulp controllers? Sorry for all the questions, first time hearing about these bulbs being able to be used with xlights.

[@MrPaintJob]

All i heard when you started talking was "ohhh I don't think I can make it" "Go, go, go" Just before you flooded your mustang in like 4 feet of water.

[@Bigrob444]

that video needs to be on youtube