A derby light tree, Raspberry Pi-based

[Jeff Piazza]

I've been envious for a while of the "Christmas tree light" systems I've seen, that flash lights in sequence on a pole just before triggering a race. This summer I decided to build my own light tree. Here's the result:


https://youtu.be/TunL0nyWpiI

Physically, the tree starts as a 6-foot 4x4 vinyl fence post, to which ten light sockets are mounted. Internally, there's a Raspberry Pi and a relay board driving the lights.



More details, including wiring diagrams and source code, at http://jeffpiazza.github.io/lighttree/.

/JEP