Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I have bought the program and mapped out my house. I know I will be using 31 channels and have assigned them to the lights. I have converted some of my Christmas music to wav files and I am laying my first sequence (I ain't got rhythm so I used 1/10). I have a few questions. How does LOR twinkle and shimmer with regular lights? I quickly do the fade in and fade out fade in and fade out? Should I anticipate the start of a sequence to make the music and lights line up better (I was thinking it takes a fraction of a second to get the LOR to tell the lights to come on whereas the FM transmitter sends out a signal more quickly) or do I just listen carefully and start when the musical section starts?I am using my home computer and school computer to do the work while saving my stuff on the hard drive on both and a floppy to take back and forth. I have copied all my music onto both computers. Is there anything else I need to do when working on stuff between two computers? I know that someone asked about saving their channels on the export and import, but how does that work between computers?I am in the process of getting an electrician to install 4 20 amp breakers with plugs for the two LOR boards (1602) that I will hopefully purchase in April (pray my wife agrees:}). What is a very rough estimate on how much this should cost? Is there anything else I should do or ask him to do?I know these are alot of questions, but maybe some others are suffering from noobitis may benefit from my sickness:happytree:! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 How does LOR twinkle and shimmer with regular lights? A twinkle is a random "on/off" command. Applied over many channels, you get the twinkling effect. A shimmer is a rapid on/off. It's very fast. So fast I can't see the lights going out, but you know it's doing something.I quickly do the fade in and fade out fade in and fade out? Sorry... I don't understand this one.Should I anticipate the start of a sequence to make the music and lights line up better (I was thinking it takes a fraction of a second to get the LOR to tell the lights to come on whereas the FM transmitter sends out a signal more quickly) or do I just listen carefully and start when the musical section starts?Go with the music. Don't try and adjust anything for any delay. You won't notice it. (Coming from someone who ran the show on a very slow computer, and an FM transmitter.)Is there anything else I need to do when working on stuff between two computers? I know that someone asked about saving their channels on the export and import, but how does that work between computers?Make sure that you save a copy of your channels on the disk. Export the channels to a file, and save that on your floppy as well. Then when you start a new sequence, you simply load the channels from that file.What is a very rough estimate on how much this should cost?Well, prices for electrical work vary from area to area, and even contractor to contractor. My neighbor does all my work, and I get a discount. So my rates won't apply to you. The price for two 1602's, at regular price, would be $579.00, plus the software and any shipping charges. (I forget of there are any.) Add the electrical work to your LOR order, and there is how much it's going to cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Okay I feel stupid!Two questions that were confudled:How much did it cost you to have new circuits put in?How quickly does the fade in/out on the sequencer actually fade the lights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 BamaFlum wrote: How much did it cost you to have new circuits put in?How quickly does the fade in/out on the sequencer actually fade the lights?Price per circuit can vary over 100% area to area.... I would think that depending on the lengths of the runs involved it could be $60 - $100 per circuit...The rate of the fade is up to you. If you want the fade to last 10 seconds then select the fade (up or down) tool and click and drag the mouse for 10 seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 How much did it cost you to have new circuits put in?It's hard for me to say. My last circuits were parts (or labor) only. Traded the guy some other stuff I had. Others will have to help you on this one.How quickly does the fade in/out on the sequencer actually fade the lights?How fast do you want them to fade? The only real limits are your imagination. I'm sure there are some technical ones, but Dan will have to speak to them. (And I would bet they don't apply in all cases.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The cost of running the circuits does depend on how far you are away from your main panel or closest subpanel. It may be cost effective to install a subpanel in the garage if you don't have one, and then run the new circuits from the subpanel. If you had to "home-run" each of the 4 circuits to a main panel that was a distance away, that could add up (and probably also involve some long conduit work, etc.).I just installed a new subpanel in the garage (my main panel is on the other side of the same wall outside) and then ran 4 dedicated 20 amp GCFI circuits from the subpanel (as pictured) down to the bottom of the wall for my controllers. I split my new circuits so that 2 of them are on one side of the bus in the panel and the other 2 are on the other side of the bus.I did all the work myself and figured that I probably spent about $200-225 for the parts (who's counting ). It took me about three 6 hour days to get everything installed to my satisfaction, whereas a pro could probably do it faster.I hope that information helps you....et me know if you have more questions...Thanks, Randy Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 BamaFlum wrote: I have bought the program and mapped out my house. I know I will be using 31 channels and have assigned them to the lights. I would use all 32 channels since you'll have 2 16 channel LORs (I'm sure that was just an oversight).Start at the very top channel, stare at that top row while starting the music. When you hear the beat you want to start with, keep your eye on it and click it with the mouse. Make sure you pick the play range "visible screen". Then it will only play what is visible to the screen.Once you get the beat started, keep replaying the music and just go a little at a time.Just take your time and it will get easier as you go.Oh, it's very addictive by the way and there is no cure that I know of :laughing:.Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Santas Helper wrote: BamaFlum wrote: I have bought the program and mapped out my house. I know I will be using 31 channels and have assigned them to the lights. I would use all 32 channels since you'll have 2 16 channel LORs (I'm sure that was just an oversight).I actually try to keep a free channel for every 30 or so channels. You never know what is going to happen to the controllers. We conservetvly down-rate our triacs by 50% to increase durability but there is always the chance that you may loose a channel on a controller due to a short circuit or other things that can happen. With a spare channel handy you can just move the plug and swap the channel in your channel configuration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Oh, it's very addictive by the way and there is no cure that I know of :laughing:.Thanks! You all have been very helpful. Yes, I know how addictive it is! I have going through my Christmas collection and trying to find songs that might fit. It is fun when you hear something and you see your house light up with a particular song and you start thinking of ways to sequence it.Also, thanks for the advice on the fade in/out. I didn't know you could drag it to make it last longer. I was thinking that a fade of 1/10 second is kind of fast!:}Now, how do I convince my wife to let me sink a grand into something like this?:waycool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 BamaFlum wrote: Now, how do I convince my wife to let me sink a grand into something like this?:waycool:I had to take MY wife to see a live display.My X-10 slow Motion delayed timing didn't impress her one bit.Dennis Johnson's 44 minute display did the trick. . . the [glow=violet]Pink[/glow] flamingo ALMOST killed the deal though:dude: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 If I could find a display close enough, you bet I would! Not only would she be impressed, I could get the kids on my side!I know Dan (I think) has one in Denton, anybody know of one in the San Antonio area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Womacks site is down in the Antonio area. Womack. And he is extremely helpfull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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