Christmas Car Project 2008

**Arrow** · 11-10-2008, 01:21 AM

Well, It's getting to be that time of year again and I've begun planning the decoration of my car. For those of you that missed it last year, here's the thread, and here's the video. I had several requests last year for more information, instructions, etc. so I'm going to document as much as possible this year. I also intend to update my software so that it's a bit more user friendly. I'm thinking about making it available for everyone to use. I would also like to get some opinions and suggestions regarding the setup, so please tell me anything you think I could add, improve, or remove.

Here are some of the goals for this year's project:

Light sequences controlled by my custom designed software and executed using two Fusion Brains.
Much more lights than last year.
More complex sequences using more songs.
Some sort of an anti-tamper system.

Things that need fixing:

Last year I had lights close to the ground. These broke quite often and when one bulb breaks, half the strand goes out. I need to figure out a way to fix this.
Last year I maxed out the charging system on my car. I need to either increase the capacity of my charging system, or lower the power consumption of the lights.
The lights looked kind of sloppy last year all crisscrossed and dangling. I want to tighten things up and make them look neater.
The loudspeaker on the roof is nice and loud, but sounds kind of crappy. I would like to replace it with some waterproof speakers of some kind. Maybe motorcycle speaker.
I had some vandals break off my plastic candy canes and steal them. I need to figure out a way to keep this from happening.
The amp that powered the loudspeaker isn't working so well anymore. I need to find a new way power it.

Things you can help with:
Being that I am a poor college student, projects like this are difficult to make happen. There are several things that I could use that I don't really have any money to buy, so if you have any of these things laying around and would be willing to donate them, it would be greatly appreciated. Your help making this project a reality will help bring smiles to the faces of thousands of people.

So please PM me if you would be willing to part with any of the following items, or any other item you think may help:

LED Christmas lights - These resist break and have much much lower power usage
Some sort of small amplifier to power the loudspeaker
A set of waterproof speakers
Any other Christmas lights or decorations that you think would help

**2k1Toaster** · 11-10-2008, 02:05 AM

Good to see you are doing it again!

Other decorations i can think of are those peel-n-stick things for windows. The static cling kind. I think that would be the finishing touch.

I can't remember if your deer was animated or not last time, but my neighbour has one of those deers where the head goes up and down. Maybe you can speed it up so that on the hard hitting notes of the trans. siberean orchestra it's head goes down real fast like some rock-n-roll junkie bopping his head.

Also if you are need of a cheap amp, the one I use in my car is $13. Sounds decent to me (I got mine on eBay though): http://www.electronicsbonanza.com/co...dProduct=11933

Good luck and hope you post some awesome pictures and video like last year.

**Arrow** · 11-10-2008, 03:34 AM

Oops, forgot to do this...

RESERVED

**Arrow** · 11-10-2008, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Other decorations i can think of are those peel-n-stick things for windows. The static cling kind. I think that would be the finishing touch.

I actually tried those a few years ago. The problem with those is they tend to curl up and fall off after transitioning from cold to warm to cold etc. from the car warming up and cooling down. I'm wondering if there's some kind of sticker I could use that will stay stuck, but still come off without too much hassle when the season is over.

**Arrow** · 12-01-2008, 03:30 PM

I need some music suggestions for this year. I am thinking "Carol of the Bells" would be good for a light show, but what version should I use? I need a few more songs also. Only used that Trans Siberian Orchestra song last year and would like to add a few more. Any Ideas?

**2k1Toaster** · 12-01-2008, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Arrow

I need some music suggestions for this year. I am thinking "Carol of the Bells" would be good for a light show, but what version should I use? I need a few more songs also. Only used that Trans Siberian Orchestra song last year and would like to add a few more. Any Ideas?

Get an electronically activated bell and do some jingle bells!

**TimmyM** · 12-28-2008, 01:59 AM

How'd this turn out this year?

**Arrow** · 12-29-2008, 05:14 AM

Turned out pretty well, not completely up to what I was hoping for, but it made enough people smile to make it worth it. I didn't have access to a video camera this year, so I don't have any video, but it wasn't really that much different from last year.