Visit our Popular Forums

myboyburt · 10-18-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoydBonifide

Some technical details:

I designed an electronic sequencer that addresses six 8 bit EPROMS to allow the control of 48 optically isolated AC channels. It is a simple 11 bit up counter that addresses the EPROMS clocked with a 19.85 Hz oscillator. The sequencer actually runs asynchronously with the music, I just detect the first note of the music to start the sequence,and it runs independently from there. I was lucky that the music, "Wizards in Winter" maintains a single steady tempo. I was sweating that out for a while.

The tough part was coming up with timing diagrams for the light choreography. Luckily, TSO has the sheet music for this piece on their website. I wrote the timing diagrams like a musical score on staff paper which made it easier to compare to the sheet music and synchronize. The timing "score" was then translated to EPROM data.

Most of the parts are just surplus, old technology through hole TTL. I wire wrapped the circuit board, and patched together a variety of surplus cables.

Huh? What did he say?

All I know is I will never forget this light show, it was MAGIC!!!!!!

53flyingcloud · 10-18-2007, 08:43 PM

Kewl..

mistral blue · 10-18-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myboyburt

Huh? What did he say?

Myboyburt, it's a simple 11 bit up counter that addresses the EPROMS clocked with a 19.85 Hz oscillator (not a 19.75 like we all thought).

myboyburt · 10-18-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistral blue

Myboyburt, it's a simple 11 bit up counter that addresses the EPROMS clocked with a 19.85 Hz oscillator (not a 19.75 like we all thought).

Right, I'm sure that's it.

Frank's Trailer Works · 10-19-2007, 03:51 AM

Glad to know I wasn't the only guy pretending to understand... what I do understand is that was very cool.

53flyingcloud · 10-19-2007, 04:20 AM

Gosh,
SURPLUS??
I can remember when TTL were used in everything~!
Still, I was extremely impressed.
Sept, 2k8 is a must do for sure~!!

jamesardis · 10-19-2007, 05:18 AM

Wow!--Is what our airstreams do when we're not watching?--The secret lives of airstreams---yummy!!

henw · 10-19-2007, 07:20 AM

What a great display! Sure beats my rope lights.

Tom

LoydBonifide · 10-19-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistral blue

Myboyburt, it's a simple 11 bit up counter that addresses the EPROMS clocked with a 19.85 Hz oscillator (not a 19.75 like we all thought).

Thanks for the suggestion, but if I used 19.95 Hz instead of 19.85 Hz there would be a problem. Each memory location is a 1/16th note resolution. The oscillator clocks them out at the required time. There are 1796 1/16th notes in the music which complete in a total of 180.957 seconds for the entire piece. If iI used the 19.75 Hz clock as you suggest, the lights would complete their sequence 0.907 seconds before the music ended.

Oh, man, I do have too much time on my hands.

Frank's Trailer Works · 10-19-2007, 02:02 PM

I'm smiling and pertending by nodding my head...

mistral blue · 10-19-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoydBonifide

Thanks for the suggestion, but if I used 19.95 Hz instead of 19.85 Hz there would be a problem. Each memory location is a 1/16th note resolution. The oscillator clocks them out at the required time. There are 1796 1/16th notes in the music which complete in a total of 180.957 seconds for the entire piece. If I used the 19.75 Hz clock as you suggest, the lights would complete their sequence 0.907 seconds before the music ended.

Of course.

We were all lead to believe that there were 1697 1/16th notes.

Apology accepted.

Valhalla2Go · 10-19-2007, 03:16 PM

Sent your link to a couple of friends who thought for a second that I had rigged up that show on my trailer. They quickly snapped out of fantasy land as they realized my version of the show would have included a power strip, couple of rope lights and a dimmer switch. BTW - you either have a lot of time on your hands or you are wicked smart - either way I am envious.

Do you do parties? I might trek the family out to New England for a rally with this show included!

Go Sox!

2wired · 11-25-2007, 12:25 AM

We recently saw your video and have showed to everybody that comes over. We really have enjoyed it and think it's the greatest. We also have a 30ft classic and would love to do "some" lights like yours but don't know where to begin. Can you give any hints? It appeared that you were at a rally. Was that in New England? We would love to see this in person. Are you going to the Can Opener in FL?

Again it is a great video.

Dan and Marty
2wired

wheel interested · 11-25-2007, 12:55 AM

Oh gee, I thought this was going to be like "Girls Gone Wild" Rivette Edition.

LoydBonifide · 11-25-2007, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wired

We recently saw your video and have showed to everybody that comes over. We really have enjoyed it and think it's the greatest. We also have a 30ft classic and would love to do "some" lights like yours but don't know where to begin. Can you give any hints? It appeared that you were at a rally. Was that in New England? We would love to see this in person. Are you going to the Can Opener in FL?

Again it is a great video.

Dan and Marty
2wired

Dan and Marty,

I'm glad you enjoyed the show thanks for the kind words.

As far as a hint to recreate it, the tough part is the sequencing electronics. I lifted the idea from an engineer by the name of Carson Williams, who did this to his house:

YouTube - Trans Siberian Orchestra X-mas Lights

. He used a commercial light show controller from Light-O-Rama Light-O-Rama. Control lights, music, and special effects. . All he had to do was program the controller. He also spent about $10000 to to do it. I being poor, due to the aforementioned 30' Airstream, did not feel the cost to be justified, so I designed my own controller and acquired surplus and junk parts. If you are truly interested, I would be happy to share the schematic diagrams for the controller, just PM me. I would warn you though, it is a lot of work to fabricate, and if you have to buy the parts new, it could be as expensive as the commercial controller.

This was done for a New England Unit rally, and I will be setting it up again for a NEU ( WBCCI New England Unit Airstream Club ) rally next year called "Aluminations Celebration Revisited" in September.

Keith

Mikethefixit · 11-25-2007, 08:13 AM

My Wife and I just viewed your lite show. U have done the whole airstream Community PROUD Thanks
Roger & MaryLou

LoydBonifide · 01-01-2008, 02:03 PM

In addition to the coveted verbal "Best in Show" award at the NEU Lost Dutchman Rally, "Rivets in Summer" has achieved a measure of internet fame. I posted the video on Yahoo and over the last few weeks it has taken off. This afternoon it hit 100,000 views! As far as I can tell, it has the most views of any Airtream video on the internet. Here is the Yahoo link:

Rivets in Summer - Yahoo! Video

JimnLiz and I are currently working on a new project, "Dueling Bambies" for "Aluminations Revisited".

Happy New Year all.

Keith

airdrmr · 01-01-2008, 03:57 PM

Keith -

What a great way to start off the New Year! Thanks for sharing this with the Forums community, and the world. We can't wait for MORE, MORE, MORE!

Sending karma your way.....

LoydBonifide · 10-13-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airdrmr

Keith -

What a great way to start off the New Year! Thanks for sharing this with the Forums community, and the world. We can't wait for MORE, MORE, MORE!

Sending karma your way.....

Sorry for the delay, here you go:

Airstream Halloween Light Show on Yahoo! Video