Customer Service Sucks!

I talked to Lee at Animated Lighting. They didn't ship my controllers because the power cords were on backorder. Why didn't they tell me that last week. She claims they have the power cords, but can't ship until Friday. She said she could ship the controllers for Saturday delivery. I said that would be a good thing. I've been very patient, but I feel like because of that, they keep screwing with me.

Why do I feel like I won't be surprised if the controllers don't arrive Saturday. They better arrive Saturday. I discovered that I need them before I can finish the music synchronization. The lighting software won't allow me to add the new circuits until they are connected to the Monster Brain.

Backyard Install Continues

The night was warm, but I only had time to install the deck column lights. At least that's another 1,650 lights. The weather is suppose to be cold the next few days so I plan to finish the backyard over the weekend. I prefer to install in daylight anyway. Next year, I want to install all of the backyard in early October so I'm not doing it in late November.

I called Animated Lighting several times today to check on the controllers, but I kept getting voicemail. I will try again before work tomorrow.

Backyard Install

After work, the evening was sort of warm so I installed the deck garland. Tomorrow is suppose to be warmer so I'll install the eleven sets of deck column lights (2x12 tree wrap) and possibly the lights in the Japanese garden.

The controllers didn't arrive today. This is getting quite frustrating!

"Classic" Show Is On

I finished the LED Message Display and installed it in the Ash tree. I also installed the luminaries and the wreaths as well as fixing characters in The Nativity and Santa Snoopy scenes.

After connecting the last of the CAT5 cable to the Monster Brain, I downloaded the "Classic" show (last year's show) and turned on the lights at 1730. It looks pretty cool! Some people stopped to watch the show throughout the evening.

I updated the website too so it is more current.

Indoor Projects

Today, I built a wooden case for the BETAbrite message display and covered it with two coats of polyurethane. Tomorrow, I can put Plexiglas on the front.

I also prepared two cases for the two LC-16 lighting controllers that were suppose to arrive today. Guess what? They didn't arrive. What a surprise. They better be here Monday! That means, I won't be able operate some lights when I turn on the Classic show Sunday night.

The weather is cold today so I'll work on the editing music and programming the new show.

BETAbrite Message Board

Well, I programmed the new message display and hung it in the garage window. After Thanksgiving with family, I discovered that the display is too far from the street to read. So, I am going to hang it in the Ash tree in the front yard; however, I'll have to build a case for it to protect from moisture. That'll be my project for tomorrow.

Troubling News

I received a call today from Animated Lighting asking what version of Monster Brain I have. Animated Lighting is the vendor I purchase the lighting controllers from. The troubling thing is that I discussed this with the account manager and a technical person two weeks ago. Therefore, they haven't shipped my order yet!

In past years, their service was great and shipment fast. Now that they are a larger company, the service is poor. The account manager (Lee) treats me like I'm bothering her. They billed me on October 27th so calling on the status after two weeks and again a week later is not unreasonable. They aren't suppose to bill me until the product is shipped. She even agreed with that, but didn't go any further. I called today because she left a message. She acted like I am nagging. I am always polite and very patient. So I talked with a technical person (Mark) again and he thinks he knows what I have and how to configure the MP3 controller for me. He hoped to ship the MP3 controller on Friday. In the meantime, Lee will ship the two lighting controllers for Friday delivery. At least I can install them while I wait for the MP3 controller.

On another note, I have a solution for the broken LED sign. Instead of spending $300 on the software, I decided to spend $200 on a small LED message board. I met my sister at Sam's club (she has the membership) and purchased a BETAbrite Prism color message display with 560 LED lights. The sign is pretty cool because it has various transition effects. I'm going to hang it in the garage window. It will inform viewers of the best viewing spot and the FM station when I can broadcast music. Initially, I will announce the "Classic" show that will start Sunday night. When the new music synchronized show is ready, I'll update the messages.

Another Great Day!

Today, I left work at Noon and worked on installing lights and electrical until 2200. The weather was so nice. The temperature at 2200 was still 52 degrees! I would have kept working if I wasn't so hungry. I installed most of the trees and deer for the Winter Wonderland scene and more controllers and electrical. I now have 52,762 lights installed.

I have some repairs to make. Peppermint Patty needs her hair glued on again and her ice skating rink is not lighting up. Jesus's manger needs to be repaired with glue too. One set of wise men need lighting repair too.

I had planned on using a large, 6,288 light LED message display in my show to inform viewers of the FM radio station for music synchronization and other messages, but last month, the sign stopped working. I haven't been able to make it work. It won't boot up. I found software for $300, but I'm worried it might not solve the problem. I requested information on the software from the vendor, but they haven't sent it yet. Maybe that is a sign (no pun intended). I may need to make a hand-painted sign instead.

Well, the weather is suppose to get cold the next few days, so I can do the needed repairs and figure out what to do about the message board.

Warm, Productive Weekend

Ah, the weather was perfect for installing Christmas lights! Warm, calm, and sunny. I was able to install a lot over the weekend. Even the evenings were warm. I stayed outside until 2100 this evening.

Most of the installation took place in the front yard where I set up many of the hand-made characters in the various scenes. Most of my time was spent installing the lighting controllers and the extension cords. I sure do have a lot of extension cords! Numbering everything makes the installation go smoothly.

I had some trouble setting up the eight "Music" trees in the front yard because the ground was so hard. We haven't had moisture for a month so the clay is like concrete. Next year, I'll soak the ground with water first.

As of now, I have installed 51,351 lights. Tomorrow is suppose to be 75 degrees so I am going to take the afternoon off work to get more done.

Away From the Project

Hi! I am currently sitting in Sky Harbor Airport (PDX) passing time until my flight back to Denver. I was on a business trip for a few days and haven't been able to update the blog or work on Lights In Motion.

However, I did make progress on installation of show features last weekend. The weather was beautiful! I was able to install most of the electrical on the roof. I also installed the new fireworks frames and the Light Stripes, as I call them, on the upper roof. They are strings of 100 mini-lights that will be synchronized to music. I also installed the 14' Light Tree with 5400 lights, many of the snowflakes, and the new string of strobes in the Ash tree.

I now have a total of 39,579 lights installed. I have much more to install this weekend.

I still have to write the music synchronization too. I hope that won't take too long. It should be interesting. I also hope to have the website updated in the next day or so as well. Lots to do! I better get on it!!

:)

Time Hog

Well, I spent all day Sunday installing lights on the Ash tree. 2,650 lights and I think it needs a couple more strings of 50. I think the tree grew wider because I only had 2,400 lights on it last year. Wrapping every branch takes a long time, but the tree looks spectacular when the lights are on.

I installed a few things Saturday, but I have so much more to do. The weather was very warm. I wish I was able to get more done.

Today a bought PVC pipe to build new stands for the fireworks on the roof. I keep trying to find a better and faster way to install them. My plan this time is to build four 4' square frames, one for each firework. The fireworks are used in the Peace scene. The are mini lights that simulate fireworks exploding in the sky. I also bought a set of snowflake lights at Target to hang from the cables between the house and the light tree. I may need to retire the snowflakes that have been hanging there. They are getting old.