# Mike's Driveway Display — Build Plan

> **Scope**: Driveway pathway lights + mini pixel trees + RGB spotlights on real trees + walkthrough arches
> **Date**: Starting mid-September 2026 — order from AU suppliers NOW
> **Controller**: WLED on ESP32 (fastest path, plenty for this scope)
> **Budget estimate**: ~$650–950 AUD

---

## What You're Building

```
                        ┌─────────────────────┐
                        │      HOUSE          │
                        │                     │
                        └──────────┬──────────┘
                                   │ (power from garage/outdoor GPO)
                                   │
         🌳 Real Tree              │              🌳 Real Tree
        [SPOTLIGHT]                │             [SPOTLIGHT]
             ▲                     │                  ▲
             │               ╔═══════════╗            │
             │               ║  ARCH  3  ║            │
             │               ╚═══════════╝            │
             │                     │                   │
        🎄 Mini Tree          ┌────┴────┐         🎄 Mini Tree
             ▲                │ PATHWAY │              ▲
             │               ╔═══════════╗            │
             │               ║  ARCH  2  ║            │
             │               ╚═══════════╝            │
             │                     │                   │
        🎄 Mini Tree          ┌────┴────┐         🎄 Mini Tree
             ▲                │ PATHWAY │              ▲
             │               ╔═══════════╗            │
             │               ║  ARCH  1  ║            │
             │               ╚═══════════╝            │
             │                     │                   │
             │                ┌────┴────┐              │
             │                │DRIVEWAY │              │
             │                │ENTRANCE │              │
             └── spotlights ──┴─────────┴── spotlights─┘
                              ↑ STREET ↑
```

---

## The 4 Elements

### 1. Walkthrough Arches (×3)

The showpiece. PVC pipe bent into arches with WS2811 bullet pixels attached.

**How they work:**
- 20mm PVC electrical conduit bent into a ~2m wide × 2.2m tall arch
- WS2811 12V bullet pixels pushed through drilled holes (10cm spacing)
- Each arch = ~25 pixels (one side up + across the top + down)
- Stake into ground with rebar or star pickets

**Build steps:**
1. Buy 3× lengths of 20mm PVC conduit (3.5m each) from Bunnings (~$5 each)
2. Drill 12mm holes every 10cm along the conduit (use a jig or mark with tape)
3. Push WS2811 bullet pixels through from inside → they friction-fit and face outward
4. Bend the conduit into an arch shape (PVC bends easily with gentle heat or just force it — 20mm is flexible)
5. Push ends into short rebar stakes hammered into the ground (30cm deep)
6. Daisy-chain the 3 arches: Arch 1 output → Arch 2 input → Arch 3 input
7. Power injection at Arch 1 (start) and Arch 3 (end) — 75 pixels total is fine on one feed

```
  ARCH CROSS-SECTION (front view)
  
       ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●          ← pixels across top (7 pixels)
      ●                    ●
     ●                      ●        ← pixels up each side (9 per side)
    ●                        ●
   ●                          ●
  ●                            ●
  │                            │
  │     ~2.0m wide             │
  │    ~2.2m tall              │
  ▼                            ▼
═══════════════════════════════════   ← ground level
  ↑ rebar                 rebar ↑
  
  25 pixels per arch × 3 arches = 75 pixels total
```

**Parts per arch:**
| Item | Qty | AUD est. |
|---|---|---|
| 20mm PVC conduit 4m | 1 | $5 |
| WS2811 12V bullet pixels (100ct string, use 25) | ⅓ string | ~$17 |
| 12mm rebar stakes (600mm) | 2 | $8 |
| Cable ties + heat shrink | misc | $5 |
| **Per arch** | | **~$35** |
| **×3 arches** | | **~$105** |

### 2. Mini Pixel Trees (×4)

Tomato cage or wire cone frame wrapped with WS2811 pixels in a spiral.

**How they work:**
- 90cm tomato cage from Bunnings (~$10) = the frame
- Wrap 50–100 WS2811 bullet pixels (10cm spacing) in a spiral from bottom to top
- Stake into ground, connect to controller
- In xLights/WLED: spiral effects, chase, rainbow, color wash all look amazing on these

```
  MINI TREE (side view)

        ★  ← optional star topper
       /|\
      ● ● ●
     / ● ● \        ← pixels spiral around
    ●  ●  ● ●          the tomato cage frame
   / ● ●  ●  \
  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●
  │            │     Height: ~90cm
  ═════════════      Pixels: 50 per tree
  (tomato cage)      (one 50ct string each)
```

**Parts per mini tree:**
| Item | Qty | AUD est. |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato cage 90cm (Bunnings) | 1 | $10 |
| WS2811 12V bullet pixels 50ct string | 1 | $25 |
| Green spray paint (optional, hide frame) | shared | $5 |
| Ground stake / zip ties | misc | $3 |
| **Per tree** | | **~$43** |
| **×4 trees** | | **~$172** |

### 3. RGB Spotlights on Real Trees (×4–6)

WS2811 addressable flood lights aimed up into the canopy. These are the "wow" — real trees lit from below in shifting colours.

**How they work:**
- WS2811 10W RGB flood lights (12V DC, IP65+) with xConnect pigtails
- Daisy-chain 2–3 per tree, aim upward at different angles
- Each flood = 1 pixel address (so 6 floods = 6 "pixels" on the controller)
- WLED runs colour cycles, breathing, or synced to the show
- Stake into the ground at the base of each tree

**Key product:** WS2811 10W RGB LED Pixel Flood Light, 12V DC, IP65/67, xConnect pigtails
- AliExpress: ~$15–25 AUD each (search "WS2811 10W RGB flood light 12V")
- Amazon AU / Your Pixel Store: ~$35–50 AUD each
- For express delivery: buy from an AU Amazon seller or Your Pixel Store

```
  TREE UPLIGHTING (side view)

            🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
          🌿  lit canopy  🌿
        🌿    in RGB!!!     🌿
       🌿                    🌿
        🌿                  🌿
          🌿              🌿
            │   TRUNK   │
            │           │
     ◄──────┼───────────┼──────►  light beams
     🔦     │           │     🔦
   flood 1  │           │  flood 2
   (ground) └───────────┘  (ground)
```

**Parts for tree spotlights:**
| Item | Qty | AUD est. |
|---|---|---|
| WS2811 10W RGB flood lights (IP65+) | 6 | $150–210 |
| Ground stakes (if not included) | 6 | $20 |
| Extension cables (xConnect, 1–2m) | 3 | $15 |
| **Subtotal** | | **~$185–245** |

### 4. Driveway Pathway Edge Lights

WS2811 bullet pixels in ground stakes lining both sides of the driveway. Simple but effective — a lit runway effect.

**Options (pick one):**

**Option A — DIY pixel stakes (cheapest, most flexible):**
- WS2811 12V bullet pixels pushed into short garden stakes or PVC caps
- Space every 50–100cm along both sides of the driveway
- E.g., 15m driveway × 2 sides = 30m → 60 pixels at 50cm spacing, or 30 pixels at 1m spacing
- Run chasing effects down the driveway → looks like a landing strip

**Option B — Pre-made candy cane stakes (quickest, no wiring):**
- Buy RGB candy cane pathway markers from Bunnings/Amazon
- Not addressable (no pixel control), but instant setup
- ~$40–60 per set of 5–8

**I'd go Option A** — you've already got the controller and PSU for the arches. Just extend the pixel string.

**Parts for pathway (Option A, ~15m driveway):**
| Item | Qty | AUD est. |
|---|---|---|
| WS2811 12V bullet pixels 50ct (10cm spacing, cut to use at 50cm) | 1 string | $25 |
| Short garden stakes or 3D-printed caps | 30–60 | $20 |
| 2-core 18AWG silicone wire (power extension) | 10m | $15 |
| **Subtotal** | | **~$60** |

---

## Controller & Power Setup

Everything runs off **one ESP32 with WLED** and **one or two 12V power supplies**.

### Controller: ESP32 + WLED

| Item | AUD est. | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ESP32 DevKit board | $15 | Core Electronics / AliExpress |
| SN74HCT125 level shifter | $5 | Core Electronics |
| Weatherproof enclosure (IP65 junction box) | $15 | Bunnings |
| Ethernet RJ45 breakout (optional, for long data runs) | $10 | Core Electronics |
| **Subtotal** | **~$45** |

### Power: 12V Mean Well PSU(s)

**Total pixel count:**
| Element | Pixels | Max amps @12V (0.06A/pixel) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 arches | 75 | 4.5A |
| 4 mini trees | 200 | 12A |
| 6 flood lights | 6 (10W each = 0.83A each) | 5A |
| Pathway | 60 | 3.6A |
| **Total** | **341 pixels + 6 floods** | **~25A** |

**PSU sizing (derate 80%):** 25A ÷ 0.8 = ~31A needed

| Item | Qty | AUD est. | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Well LRS-350-12 (12V 29A) | 1 | $65 | RS Components / Element14 |
| Mean Well LRS-150-12 (12V 12.5A) | 1 | $40 | RS Components |
| **or** Mean Well RSP-500-12 (12V 41A, one PSU does everything) | 1 | $95 | RS Components |
| IP67 enclosure for PSU | 1 | $25 | Bunnings |
| Blade fuse holder + 10A fuses | 4 | $15 | Jaycar |
| **Subtotal** | | **~$105–135** |

### Wiring Topology

```
                    ┌──────────────────────────────────┐
                    │  WEATHERPROOF BOX (garage/porch) │
                    │                                  │
  240V GPO ──►──── │  ┌─────────┐    ┌─────────────┐  │
  (via RCD)        │  │ 12V PSU │───►│   ESP32      │  │
                    │  │ 350W    │    │   (WLED)     │  │
                    │  └────┬────┘    └──┬──┬──┬──┬──┘  │
                    │       │           P1  P2  P3  P4  │  ← 4 GPIO output ports
                    │       │12V bus     │   │   │   │  │
                    │  ┌────┴────┐       │   │   │   │  │
                    │  │FUSE     │       │   │   │   │  │
                    │  │BLOCK    │       │   │   │   │  │
                    │  └┬──┬──┬──┘       │   │   │   │  │
                    └──│──│──│──│────────│───│───│───│──┘
                       │  │  │  │        │   │   │   │
                       │  │  │  │        │   │   │   │
            ┌──────────┘  │  │  └────────│───│───│───┼──── 12V to floods
            │             │  │           │   │   │   │
     ┌──────┘      ┌──────┘  └───┐       │   │   │   │
     │             │             │       │   │   │   │
  Arches 1-3    Mini Trees    Pathway   Arches Trees Path Floods
  (12V power)   (12V power)  (12V pwr) (data) (data)(data)(data)
     75 px        200 px      60 px     Port1  Port2 Port3 Port4
```

---

## Complete Shopping List

### Order NOW from Australian suppliers (1–2 week delivery)

| # | Item | Qty | AUD est. | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESP32 DevKit V1 | 1 | $15 | Core Electronics |
| 2 | SN74HCT125 level shifter | 1 | $5 | Core Electronics |
| 3 | WS2811 12V bullet pixels 100ct (10cm spacing, xConnect) | 4 strings | $200 | Hanson Electronics / PixelProps |
| 4 | WS2811 10W RGB flood lights (12V, IP65, xConnect) | 6 | $180 | AliExpress (express) or Your Pixel Store |
| 5 | Mean Well LRS-350-12 (12V 29A) | 1 | $65 | RS Components (next-day) |
| 6 | Mean Well LRS-150-12 (12V 12.5A) | 1 | $40 | RS Components |
| 7 | 20mm PVC conduit 4m lengths | 3 | $15 | Bunnings |
| 8 | Tomato cages 90cm | 4 | $40 | Bunnings |
| 9 | IP65 junction box (controller enclosure) | 1 | $15 | Bunnings |
| 10 | IP65 junction box (PSU enclosure) | 1 | $25 | Bunnings |
| 11 | Blade fuse holder + 10A fuses (4-way) | 1 | $15 | Jaycar |
| 12 | 18AWG 2-core silicone wire (power runs) | 20m | $25 | Jaycar / AliExpress |
| 13 | 3-pin xConnect extension cables (1m) | 6 | $25 | Hanson / AliExpress |
| 14 | 12mm rebar stakes 600mm (arch anchors) | 6 | $25 | Bunnings |
| 15 | Heat shrink tubing assorted | 1 pack | $10 | Jaycar |
| 16 | Self-amalgamating tape (waterproofing) | 1 roll | $12 | Bunnings |
| 17 | Cable ties (UV-rated black) | 1 pack | $8 | Bunnings |
| 18 | Green spray paint (for tomato cages) | 1 can | $12 | Bunnings |
| 19 | 330Ω resistor (data line protection) | 5 | $2 | Jaycar |
| 20 | 1000μF 25V capacitor | 2 | $3 | Jaycar |

### Total Budget

| Category | AUD est. |
|---|---|
| Pixels + floods | ~$380 |
| Controller + electronics | ~$45 |
| Power supplies + fuses | ~$120 |
| Structural (PVC, cages, stakes) | ~$95 |
| Cables, connectors, weatherproofing | ~$80 |
| **Total** | **~$720** |
| + 15% contingency | **~$830** |

---

## Build Weekend Plan

### Weekend 1 — Order + Flash WLED
- [ ] Place orders (RS Components, Core Electronics, Bunnings run, Hanson online)
- [ ] Flash WLED to ESP32 via install.wled.me (5 minutes)
- [ ] Wire ESP32 + level shifter on a breadboard
- [ ] Test with a short pixel string on the bench

### Weekend 2 — Build Arches + Mini Trees
- [ ] Drill holes in PVC conduit for arches (mark every 10cm, drill 12mm)
- [ ] Push pixels through conduit
- [ ] Spray paint tomato cages green, let dry
- [ ] Wrap pixels around cages in spiral pattern
- [ ] Test each element on the bench — power up, verify all pixels light

### Weekend 3 — Wire Power + Enclosures
- [ ] Mount PSU(s) in IP65 enclosure
- [ ] Wire fuse block
- [ ] Build controller enclosure (ESP32 + level shifter in junction box)
- [ ] Run cables to test positions, do a full ground-level test of everything

### Weekend 4 — Install Outside
- [ ] Hammer rebar stakes for arches
- [ ] Place arches, stake mini trees, position flood lights at real trees
- [ ] Lay pathway pixels
- [ ] Connect everything, power up, test
- [ ] Configure WLED effects + timer schedule
- [ ] Celebrate 🎄

---

## WLED Effect Suggestions

| Element | Best Effects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arches | Rainbow chase, meteor rain, running lights | Chase direction = walking direction feels amazing |
| Mini trees | Spiral, twinkle, fire, color cycle | Each tree can be a separate segment in WLED |
| Spotlights | Slow color fade, breathing, solid holiday colors | Subtle is better for tree uplighting |
| Pathway | Chase (toward house), alternating red/green, sparkle | "Landing strip" effect is the classic |

### WLED Segment Setup
In WLED, create segments so each element can have its own effect:
- Segment 0: Pixels 0–74 (Arches)
- Segment 1: Pixels 75–274 (Mini Trees)
- Segment 2: Pixels 275–334 (Pathway)
- Segment 3: Pixels 335–340 (Flood Lights)

Set presets for different moods: "Welcome Home" (warm white pathway + color trees), "Party" (rainbow everything), "Classic Christmas" (red/green alternating).

---

*Part of the Christmas Lights project — Kula-World*