# 🎄 Mike's Christmas Lights — Two-Year Growth Plan

**Created:** 2026-09-17 | **Updated:** 2026-09-18
**Year 1 Budget:** ~$1,000–1,100 AUD (candy canes + tomato trees + floods + Baldrick)
**Year 2 Budget:** ~$800–1,200 AUD (expand: roofline, mega tree, singing face, music sync)

---

## The Idea

Year 1: Go straight to a **Baldrick 8 controller** (Alan Hanson's recommendation — ready to
run, pixel tester included, under 1/3 of budget). Build **6 candy canes** (Ink Creations props
+ bullet pixels), **6 mini pixel trees** (tomato cages + gumdrop pixels from ScottLED), **2 RGB
floods** on the real tree, and **pathway edge lights**. Buy pixels from ScottLED Australia (new
AU warehouse, cheapest prices). Everything is 12V xConnect — plug and play.

Year 2: Add the **house roofline outline**, upgrade to **FPP + xLights for music sync**,
add a **singing face prop** and start a **mega tree**. All Year 1 gear plugs straight into
the Baldrick — zero waste.

---

## Year 1 — Christmas 2026 (Candy Canes + Tomato Trees + Floods, ~$1,050)

### What You're Building

Based on the aerial drone photo (Aug 2026), the layout follows the actual property:

```
                    STREET (Highridge Rd)
     ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
     
          ╭──── curved driveway ────────╮
         🍬│                             │
         🍬│    🌳 BIG TREE             │
         🍬│   [FLOOD ×2]               │
         🍬│                             │
         🍬│  🎄  🎄  🎄               │──→ to carport
         🍬│  tomato   front            │    [CONTROLLER]
          ╰─ trees ── lawn ─────────────╯
                       🎄  🎄  🎄
              ·····pathway·····
              ·  (seed pixels) ·
              ┌─────────────────────┐
              │      HOUSE          │
              │  (terracotta roof   │
              │   + solar panels)   │
              └─────────────────────┘
                                          │ neighbour
                                          │ (2nd place
                                          │  Ipswich comp!)
```

**Key layout notes from aerial photo:**
- Driveway curves in from the street on the LEFT, sweeping up to a double carport
- Big tree (mango/evergreen) sits at the top-left of the driveway curve — perfect flood target
- Front lawn is between the curved driveway and house front — ideal for tomato cage trees
- Candy canes line the INSIDE of the driveway curve (visible from street as cars pass)
- Path from driveway to front door gets the seed pixel treatment
- Controller lives in a junction box near the carport (closest outdoor power point)

### The 4 Elements

#### 1. Candy Canes × 6 (~$354)
Ink Creations PVC board candy canes (100 nodes each) with YPS bullet pixels. 3 left-hook +
3 right-hook for an alternating look along the driveway.

| Item | Qty | AUD | Source |
|------|-----|-----|--------|
| Candy Cane 100-node prop (printed) | 6 | $162 | Ink Creations |
| YPS Resistor Bullet Pixels 12V 100ct xConnect | 6 | $162 | Ink Creations |
| Pixel Extensions 3-core xConnect 3m | 6 | $30 | Ink Creations |
| **Subtotal** | | **~$354** | |

**Build notes:** Push 12mm bullet pixels into pre-drilled holes. Plug xConnect ends together
to daisy-chain canes. Use null buffers between canes if gap >5m. Ground stakes included or
DIY from Bunnings star pickets.

#### 2. Mini Pixel Trees × 6 (~$148)
Tomato cages wrapped in gumdrop pixels. Mike already bought 6 cages! 🎉

| Item | Qty | AUD | Source |
|------|-----|-----|--------|
| 90cm tomato cages (ALREADY BOUGHT) | 6 | $0 | ✅ Done |
| P24 Gumdrop V3 50ct xConnect (2 strands per tree = 100px) | 8 | $136 | ScottLED Australia |
| Green spray paint (hide the wire) | 1 | $12 | Bunnings |
| **Subtotal** | | **~$148** | |

**Build notes:** Wrap 2× 50ct gumdrop strands per cage (100 pixels/tree). Gumdrops push
through corflute or tie to cage wire. ScottLED V3 at $17/50ct is the best price in AU.

#### 3. RGB Spotlights on Real Trees × 2 (~$90)
WS2811 addressable flood lights aimed up into the tree canopy. Each flood = 1 pixel address.

| Item | Qty | AUD | Source |
|------|-----|-----|--------|
| 10W RGB Flood Light (12V, xConnect + stake) | 2 | $90 | Ink Creations |
| **Subtotal** | | **~$90** | |

⚠️ Currently on pre-order at Ink Creations. If not available in time, defer to Year 2 (saves $90).

#### 4. Pathway Edge Lights (~$20)
Seed pixel strings lining the pathway between candy canes.

| Item | Qty | AUD | Source |
|------|-----|-----|--------|
| Seed Pixels 12V xConnect 10cm 100ct | 2 | $20 | ScottLED Australia |
| **Subtotal** | | **~$20** | |

### Controller & Power (~$249)

| Item | AUD | Source |
|------|-----|--------|
| Baldrick 8 Port V2 (ready to run, incl. pixel tester) | ~$122 | Hanson Electronics |
| Mean Well LRS-350-12 (12V 29A) | $73 | RS Components |
| Null Buffer RTG xConnect ×4 | $27 | Hanson Electronics |
| IP65 junction box (PSU + controller) | $25 | Bunnings |
| **Subtotal** | **~$249** |

**Why Baldrick (not ESP32/WLED):** Alan's recommendation. Ready to run in minutes, pixel
tester included, 8 ports × 800px = 6,400 capacity. No soldering, no level shifters, no
firmware flashing. Under 1/3 of budget. Speaks E1.31/DDP for future xLights/FPP music sync.

### Consumables & Safety (~$100)

| Item | AUD | Source |
|------|-----|--------|
| Blade fuse block + 10A fuses | $32 | Jaycar |
| Heat shrink assortment | $10 | Jaycar |
| 18AWG hookup wire (10m) | $15 | Jaycar |
| UV-rated cable ties (100 pack) | $8 | Bunnings |
| Self-amalgamating tape | $12 | Bunnings |
| 10A RCD safety adapter | $35 | Bunnings |
| Outdoor extension lead 10m | $40 | Bunnings |
| **Subtotal** | **~$152** |

### Year 1 Budget Summary

| Category | AUD |
|----------|-----|
| Candy canes × 6 (props + bullets + extensions) | $354 |
| Mini pixel trees × 6 (gumdrops, cages already owned) | $148 |
| RGB spotlights × 2 | $90 |
| Pathway lights | $20 |
| Controller + power | $249 |
| Consumables + safety | $152 |
| Shipping (~3 orders) | ~$60 |
| **Total** | **~$1,073** |
| Without floods (if OOS) | **~$983** |

### Build Timeline (Starting Now)

| When | What |
|------|------|
| **TODAY** | Order: ScottLED gumdrops (47 left!), Ink Creations candy canes + bullets |
| **TODAY** | Email Alan @ Hanson — confirm Baldrick 8 V2 stock |
| **THIS WEEK** | RS Components PSU (next-day delivery) |
| **THIS WEEKEND** | Bunnings run + Jaycar run (in person) |
| **Weekend 1** | Bench-test: Baldrick → PSU → pixel strings, verify everything lights up |
| **Weekend 2** | Push bullets into candy cane props. Spray + wrap tomato cages with gumdrops |
| **Weekend 3** | Wire power, build enclosure, full ground-level test of all elements |
| **Weekend 4** | Install outside. Configure Baldrick outputs, set up segments |
| **Dec 1** | 🎄 LIGHTS ON |

### Baldrick Port Mapping (Tentative)
| Port | Pixels | Element |
|------|--------|---------|
| 1 | 100 | Candy Cane 1 (left) |
| 2 | 100 | Candy Cane 2 (left) |
| 3 | 100 | Candy Cane 3 (left) |
| 4 | 100 | Candy Cane 4 (right) — daisy-chain 5+6 |
| 5 | 200 | Candy Canes 5+6 (right, daisy-chained off port 4) |
| 6 | 300 | Tomato Trees 1–3 (100px each, daisy-chained) |
| 7 | 300 | Tomato Trees 4–6 (100px each, daisy-chained) |
| 8 | 202 | Pathway (200 seeds) + Floods (2 addresses) |

> Alan says Baldrick handles 800px/output and gumdrops won't have voltage drop issues even
> at 100%. Daisy-chain between props with null buffers where gap >5m.

---

## Year 2 — Christmas 2027 (Expand + Music Sync, ~$800–1,200)

You've done a season. You know what works, what you want more of. Here's where the display
grows from "nice driveway" to "the house on the street everyone drives past."

### What's New

```
      ★──────────────────────────────────────────────★
      │ ● ● ● ● ● ROOFLINE PIXELS ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● │
      │                                               │
      │           🎅 SINGING FACE                     │
      │           (syncs mouth to music)              │
      ★───────────────────┬───────────────────────────★
                          │
    🎄🎄🎄 MEGA TREE     │     🌀 SPINNER PROP
    (3–5m, 1500+ px)     │
                          │
      ← Year 1 display stays, plugs into Baldrick →
```

### Upgrade Path

#### 1. Music Sync — FPP + xLights (~$120)

**Why now:** The Baldrick already speaks E1.31/DDP. Adding a Raspberry Pi running Falcon Player
turns your static display into a music-synchronised show via xLights sequences.

| Item | AUD | Source |
|------|-----|--------|
| Raspberry Pi 4B (1GB) + SD card | $100 | Core Electronics |
| rPi-MFC Multi-Function Pi Cap | $37 | Hanson Electronics |
| **Subtotal** | **~$137** |

Your Baldrick handles the pixel output — FPP just sends it the sequence data over Ethernet.

#### 2. House Roofline Outline (~$300–500)

The big visual upgrade. WS2815 pixel strip in channel along the roofline.

| Item | AUD |
|------|-----|
| 12V WS2815 strip 30 LED/m (5m rolls × 6–10 depending on house) | $150–250 |
| Aluminium channel + diffuser (to mount strip neatly) | $80–120 |
| Mounting clips, brackets, extension cables | $50 |
| Second PSU if needed (power injection at run midpoints) | $44 |
| **Subtotal** | **~$324–464** |

**Build note:** Measure your roofline in May/June. Order strip to exact length. Use 30 LED/m
(not 60 — identical once mounted at roof height). WS2815 has a backup data line so one dead
pixel doesn't kill the rest of the string — worth the small premium over WS2811.

#### 3. Singing Face Prop (~$150)

A coro (corrugated plastic) Santa or snowman head with mouth LEDs that sync to music.
Christmas Props Australia sells the coro template with pre-drilled pixel holes — you push in
your own bullets.

| Item | AUD | Source |
|------|-----|-------|
| Singing Face coro prop (medium) | $80 | [Christmas Props Australia](https://christmaspropsaustralia.com.au/) |
| Bullet pixels for face (~100 nodes) | $50 | Hanson |
| Frame + stakes | $20 | DIY |
| **Subtotal** | **~$150** |

#### 4. Mega Tree (3–5m, ~$400–700)

The centrepiece. A tall pixel tree visible from the street — needs a centre pole,
aluminium topper disc, base ring, and 1500+ bullet pixels strung top to bottom.

| Item | AUD |
|------|-----|
| Steel pole (3–5m) + base plate | $80–150 |
| Aluminium topper disc (200mm, 6mm thick) | $40 |
| Base ring (PVC or hula hoop, 1.5–2m diameter) | $30 |
| 12V bullet pixels (1500+, 15 strings × 100ct) | $750 |
| Power injection cables, fuses | $50 |
| **Subtotal** | **~$400–700** |

This is the most ambitious build. Start with a 3m tree (cheaper, easier) and scale up.

#### 5. Bonus Ideas (If Budget Allows)

| Upgrade | Est. Cost | Why |
|---------|-----------|-----|
| FM transmitter | ~$120 | Cars tune in to your music from the street |
| Spinner/dazzler prop | ~$100 | Mesmerising rotational effects |
| More mini trees | ~$45 each | Extend the tree line further |
| Candy cane stakes × 4 | ~$80 | Classic pathway accent |
| LED matrix panel | ~$200+ | Display text, images, countdowns |
| Moving head lights | ~$300+ | The ACL community's current hotness |

### Year 2 Budget Summary (Pick Your Level)

| Level | What You Add | Est. Cost |
|-------|-------------|-----------|
| **Sensible** | FPP music sync + roofline + singing face | ~$700 |
| **Ambitious** | Above + mega tree (3m) | ~$1,100 |
| **Full Send** | Above + FM transmitter + spinner + extras | ~$1,500 |

Everything from Year 1 stays — Baldrick already in place, just add FPP for sequencing.

---

## Where To Buy (Australian)

| Supplier | What | Link |
|----------|------|------|
| **Hanson Electronics** (Bendigo, VIC) | Baldrick controllers, PSUs, Pi caps, null buffers | [hansonelectronics.com.au](https://www.hansonelectronics.com.au/) |
| **ScottLED Australia** (AU warehouse) | Cheapest gumdrops, bullets, seed pixels, extensions | [scottledaustralia.com.au](https://www.scottledaustralia.com/shop/) |
| **Ink Creations** (QLD) | Candy cane props, flood lights, bullet pixels, extensions | [inkcreations.com.au](https://www.inkcreations.com.au/) |
| **PixelProps** (AU) | Pixel props, floods, bullets, xConnect | [pixelprops.com.au](https://pixelprops.com.au/) |
| **Christmas Props Australia** (QLD) | 430+ coro props — candy canes, snowflakes, singing faces | [christmaspropsaustralia.com.au](https://christmaspropsaustralia.com.au/) |
| **Ray Wu** (China, AliExpress) | Cheapest bulk pixels/strip — 2-4 week ship | [aliexpress.com/store/701799](https://www.aliexpress.com/store/701799/) |
| **Core Electronics** (Newcastle, NSW) | ESP32, Raspberry Pi, electronics, same-day shipping | [core-electronics.com.au](https://core-electronics.com.au/) |
| **RS Components** | MeanWell PSUs, next-day delivery | [au.rs-online.com](https://au.rs-online.com/) |
| **Bunnings** | PVC conduit, cable ties, junction boxes, tools | [bunnings.com.au](https://www.bunnings.com.au/) |
| **Jaycar** | Fuse blocks, capacitors, resistors, wire | [jaycar.com.au](https://www.jaycar.com.au/) |

---

## Software Stack (All Free)

| Software | Purpose | Link |
|----------|---------|------|
| **WLED** | Year 1 controller firmware — WiFi, presets, segments | [install.wled.me](https://install.wled.me) |
| **xLights** | Sequence editor — create music-synced shows (Year 2) | [xlights.org](https://xlights.org/) |
| **Falcon Player (FPP)** | Show player on Raspberry Pi — drives Baldrick (Year 2) | [github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp](https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp) |

---

## Key References

- [ACL 101 Manual (free, must register)](https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/auschristmaslighting-101-manual.1889/) — THE getting-started guide
- [ACL Wiki — Leaping Arch](https://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/Leaping-Arch) — build guide
- [ACL Wiki — Mini Tree](https://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/Mini-tree) — mini tree designs
- [ACL Wiki — Pixel Controllers](https://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/Pixel-controllers) — controller comparison
- [ACL Wiki — Supplier Links](https://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/Supplier-links) — full directory
- [ACL Forum — Starting Out in 2026](https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/starting-out-in-2026.17360/) — fresh 2026 advice
- [ACL Forum — Baldrick Down Under](https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/baldrick-down-under.16065/) — Baldrick deep-dive
- [ACL Forum — Mega Trees for Beginners](https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/mega-tree-for-a-beginner.11188/)