Build A Christmas Light Controller And Join A Global Network Of Lights

If you’re looking for a good Arduino starter project, and you have the tools and time to get the job done, here’s a great seasonal activity that will help you build your skills and join your house’s holiday light display to a global network of lights, all synchronised and controlled by Twitter.The first thing you’ll need to buy are some GE Color Effects Christmas Lights — this particular type of light changes colour on its own, but they’re the lights that are most easily controlled by the CheerLights controller that you’re going to build, thanks to instructions by the folks over at ioBridge Labs. You’ll need an Arduino base board, a controller and a few hookup wires, but the project is actually pretty simple, and when you’re all finished, you can connect your Christmas light show to the internet.

Once connected, anytime people tweet to the @Cheerlights twitter account or using the hashtag #cheerlights, all of the networked light displays all over the world will change at once. Hit the link below for the step-by-step instructions.

How to Make a CheerLights Controller with Arduino and ioBridge [CheerLights via MAKE Blog]