Bill Hart's Computerized Christmas Light Display

Frequently Asked Questions

·         How long does it take?

I start planning during December of the previous year. February is my month off. I start programming the sequences in March. Electrical work is done in June, July and August. Lights start going up at the end of September.

·         How many people are involved putting up the display?

Just me. I program, install, maintain and take all of the lights down by myself.

·         How can I hear the music on my car radio?

I use a homemade low-powered radio transmitter.

·         What radio station do I tune to to hear the music?

I currently broadcast on 99.3FM

·         How many lights do you have?

I currently don't have a total because I just started keeping track of lights purchased after 2006. There are 20,000 lights between the roof grid and front bushes. I purchased over 30,000 more lights for the 2008 display. I also have over 23 inflatable including a 15 foot snow globe and three carousals.

·         What is your electric bill?

It is easily over $2,000 for a season.

·         How much does it cost?

I purchase lights after Christmas, when they go on sale. Generally, I wait until they are 50%-75% off. The extension cords are what really empties your pockets. A tip for any other Christmas Light enthusiasts, make your own extension cords. The computers, radio transmitter and controllers also cost an arm and a leg.

·         Why do you do it?

Other than being my hobby, the lights are my Christmas present to Shaler!

·         Are the lights hand strung?

Yes, all of the lights are installed by hand. No machines are used.

·         Do you have any sponsor’s?

Currently, I do not have any sponsors.

·         How do the lights follow along with the music?

The main devices behind the display are my computer and the controllers. The controllers are the devices that my lights are connected too. Each controller had 16 channels. (Think of a channel as a light switch.) Each sequence takes up to 30 hours to program. Programming involves breaking the song down into 0.10 second intervals then telling each channel when to turn on or off.

·         Is anything homemade?

A few things are homemade, including the radio transmitter, controllers, roof grid and a few other decorations.

·         What is your favorite part of the display?

I think my favorite part of the 2007 display was the addition of the roof grid and the sleigh runway lights, that border my driveway.

·         Where do you get your ideas?

I come up with most of my ideas on my own, in school.  A few ideas are from other displays.

·         When do you start?

All year!

·         How long does it take to take down?

I can get all of the lights down in about a week if I don't have to work against the weather.

·         What do you do when you are not working on the display?

Think about working on the display! During my month off, I play around with other electronics.

·         Where do you buy the lights?

Most of the new lights for 2008 were purchased at Wal-mart. I don't choose one store over another, I just purchase lights where they are the cheapest.

·         How long have you been doing this?

I started decorating the house when I was five. (I only did the front bushes.)

·         Do you accept donations?

I currently do not have a donation box. I am planning on adding one for 2008!

·         Can you decorate my house?

Due to the amount of time it takes to decorate and maintain my display I really don't have any extra time to decorate any other houses. I am always available to give suggestions or advice!

·         Do you run into any problems?

Yes...I usually have to fix at lease one thing per day. (Usually blown bulbs.)

·         Where can I see a video of your display?

You can request a copy of my DVD or watch videos online. (See the video page.)

·         What do your neighbors think?

Most of them are pretty supportive. I don't receive too many complaints.

·         Where do you put all of the lights?

All of the lights are stored on our first floor and outside in trash cans due to risks of floods.

·         What is your favorite sequence?

My favorite sequence for 2007 was Joy to the World!

·         Is this plug and play; set it and forget it?

NO, this takes hours of programming and months to set it up.

·         How do I see the back yard?

The back yard can be seen from Kay Street. To prevent accidents, please do not pull down our drive way. You CAN NOT go around the house.

·         Do you mind if I take any pictures?

No, just remember to turn your camera's flash off and use a tripod if you have access to one. (Professionally taken pictures can be found under the picture page.)

·         Can I have a personal tour of the display?

Yes, if you see me outside or if you contact me before you come.

·         How hard is it?

It takes years of experience but anyone can do it.

·         Who is your inspiration?

???....The Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

·         What kind of music do you use and how do you choose a song?

Mostly Christmas music that has a beat to it!

·         If I give you the name of a song, will you sequence it?

Yes! I am more than willing to do any special requests if I have extra time. (Ex: Soulja Boy.)

·         What are some technical terms you use?

Roof grid, controller, transmitter, par can, CAT 5, DMX, etc...

·         Do you travel to see any other displays?

Yes! I enjoy seeing other displays!

·         What do you do when a set of lights goes bad?

I am normally able to fix bad lights. If not, I still keep them for spare bulbs.

·         How do I fix my non working Christmas lights?

Most of the time it is a problem with the bulb's shunt. You can purchase a decent light repair tester for about $20.00

·         Are the lights on if your not home?

Yes! I have over 20 timers for the static lights and the computer controlled lights have a separate scheduling program to turn them on and off.

·         How many circuits do you use?

I have two dedicated sub panels to run my display. One for the front yard and one for the back.

·         Where did you learn to do this?

I mostly taught my self and learned from trial and error.

·         Is your house on the internet?

Yes! www.billhartelectric.com & www.soundslightchristmas.com

·         How bad does traffic get?

It really doesn't get too bad because I am located on a main road and there is room for cars to pull off to the side.

·         How many people stop per night?

Hundreds! I will try to have an estimate for next year.

·         What do you use to hold the lights up?

Duct tape and miles of twisty ties! (I buy them in bulk.)

·         What kind of computer do you use? (Windows or Mac?)

I use a Mac daily but a Windows computer controls the lights. (Due to software compatability.)

·         Can I do this?

Yes, anyone can! It just takes hours of trial and error.

·         What are the hours of operation?

I can't turn all of the lights on at once. They start Turing on at 5pm. All zones are on by 6pm. All lights are off by 11pm.

·         Did anyone ever call you Clark Griswold?

Yes! Hundreds of times!

·         What is your favorite Christmas Song/Movie?

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Deck the Halls (The movie) for movies and probably Wizards in Winter for songs.

·         Do you decorate the inside of your house?

Yes, just not as much as I do outside.

 

Last updated: 2.25.2008 - 21:22:08