Music Synchronized Christmas Lights

NOTE: I created this my junior year in high school so it is very messy and not the best design.

The basic Idea was to have Christmas lights flash with the music. In my design I used an ordinary amplified computer speaker, a diode bridge, and a 'CRYDOM' SSR (Solid State Relay). In order to increase the time that the lights were on as well as protect the SSR I used a Diode Bridge to rectify the signal from the amplifier circuit.

Things that you will need:
1. Solid State Relay
2. 4 diodes
3. Computer speakers (or some sort of audio amplifier)
5. AC Outlet
6. Various wires

Tools:
Soldering Iorn
Wire Strippers
Srewdriver
Large Hammer (very important)

Step 1: Finding a Solid State Relay

This particular SSR does not have to be used, in fact it is a little bit overkill. The SSR I used is rated for 3 amps at 240 VAC. This 'CRYDOM' Solid State Relay is something the GE man gave me upon a visit to his lair.

Any SSR can be used as long as it is rated for 120VAC or greater and the correct amount of current. A standard strand of 100 Christmas lights is ~0.5 amps. To be on the safe side if you only wanted to run two strands of 100 lights you should probably use a SSR rated at ~2 amps (more is always better in this case). 
Something else to keep in mind is the input voltage range. 2-32 VDC is the most popular range (I find that this range works best).

Comments

[dgreffard]

What happens if you don't disconnect the speakers first?

[rockys123]

Can i ask why it is necessary to have a diode bridge. Many thanks!

[thealeks]

awesome instructable!

how would i change this to control a battery(2 AA's) powered string of lights?

[Wally_Z]

Instead of using a SSR, could I just use regular relays and do this the "hard" way?

[rybitski]

With a regular relay there will not be any dimming of the lights it will simply be on or off. The downside of using a regular relay is that it will wear out very quickly and requires more current to turn on. Depending on your amplifier a regular relay will not even turn on because it may require more power than the ampcan supply. That being said test it out. The worst that can happen is that it won't work or your relay will not last very long.

[Wally_Z]

Considering the price of a SSR, I will most likely be using electromechanical relays. I know that they won't last long with what I have planned for them. I would really like to know what do I do to keep the relay from blowing up my power source? Do I just add a 12v Zener Diode between the positive terminal of the relay and the battery.

[kuroinaryuu]

Just a hint, don't use an SCR controlled SSR. it will be constant on until the voltage is taken off.

[spa31rky]

I will have to make for my 15 yo nephew now!

[spa31rky]

I know what I will be making for my 15 year old nephew now! He listens to heavy metal music!!!

[kelseymh]

Very nice instructable. You might want to make a minor tweak to your two pseudo-schematics -- in both of them the diodes in the bridge are all reversed (current flows from + to -, regardless of the charge of the electron :-).

[camintmier]

Good instructable. I like how you used an old computer speaker as the case. Have you thought of adding a frequency filter, so the lights would only light up on bass frequencies or treble frequencies? That might make it pretty fun at parties.

[rybitski]

Thanks for the comment. No, I haven't tried that, but it sounds like fun.