https://www.diychristmas.org/wiki/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Archived_ChristmasWiki%3AGeneral_Information_and_Tips 2026-08-08T18:26:07Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.35.11 https://www.diychristmas.org/wiki/index.php?title=Archived_ChristmasWiki:General_Information_and_Tips&diff=5698&oldid=prev 2026-08-06T22:46:12Z

<p>Restored from the archived ChristmasWiki backup. Image references updated where required.</p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>This is a collection of general information. If you have a tip about hanging icicle lights so they hang straight or know a trick to keep viewers from walking around the display area let us know and post it here.<br /> ==General Info==<br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:DIYC Beginners Info|DIYC Beginners Info]]: Info or beginners about DIYC and PCB boards and Controllers available<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Qwiki Tips|Qwiki Tips]]: Tips to help make your display brighter and better!<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:7 Steps to Selecting a Controller|7 Steps to Selecting a Controller]]<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Sequencing Tips|Sequencing Tips]]<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:How Dimming Works|How Dimming Works]]<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:DIYC_Tools| DIYC Electronic Tools]]: General, Basic and Advanced Tools for this Incredible Experience.<br /> <br /> [http://blog.holidaycoro.com/2015/01/where-do-i-start-when-designing-new-rgb.html How to design most RGB pixel projects from start to finish]<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Troubleshooting/Solutions|Troubleshooting/Solutions]] When things go wrong, these solutions to common problems could get your going again quickly<br /> <br /> [http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=File:How_to_make_a_dipole_antenna.pdf How to make a dipole FM transmitter antenna]: Easy step-by-step construction of this valuable tool<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Part Substitutions|Part Substitutions]]: Alternate Parts to use when your vendor does not have the right parts<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Ohm&#039;s Law|Ohm&#039;s Law]]: Voltage, Current and Power explained<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Snubbers|Snubbers]]: Using a resistor to help eliminate flicker on LED string channels<br /> <br /> [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-use-a-multimeter How to use a Multimeter]<br /> <br /> [http://youtu.be/rPGoMbVSUu8 How to use a Multimeter video]<br /> <br /> [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-read-a-schematic How to read a Schematic]<br /> <br /> [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/working-with-wire/introduction How to work with Wire]<br /> <br /> [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/resistors What are Resistors?]<br /> <br /> [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/diodes What are Diodes?]<br /> <br /> [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/capacitors What are Capacitors?]<br /> <br /> ==Cables and Pinouts==<br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Renard Data Cables|Renard Data Cables]]: How to make a data cable<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Pinouts|Pinouts]]: Standard Cable and port pinouts<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:SPT Wire and Vampire Plugs|SPT Wire and Vampire Plugs]]: How to Make Extension Cords using SPT and Vampire Plugs<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:IC Orientation|IC Orientation]]: How to figure out the pin numbering on integrated circuits<br /> <br /> ==Soldering==<br /> [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10887&amp;d=1313008228 Soldering is Easy]: Comic book format beginners guide to soldering<br /> <br /> [https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1Q2XTPf2Q8xRjNiU3hGeVhER0E SMT Soldering] Comic book beginners guide to soldering Surface Mount Devices SMT<br /> <br /> [https://vimeo.com/7952625 Soldering Renard Boards] WayneJ&#039;s Video Instructions for soldering a Renard PCB<br /> <br /> [http://curiousinventor.com/guides/How_To_Solder Curious Inventor&#039;s Soldering Basics] Video tutorial that contains useful guidance on soldering, soldering tip hygene and technique.<br /> <br /> [http://www.curiousinventor.com/guides/Surface_Mount_Soldering Curious Inventor&#039;s SMT Soldering Tutorial] Video tutorial that contains guidance on SMT soldering techniques.<br /> <br /> [http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Prototyping/General/SolderingBasics.pdf SparkFun SMT soldering tutorial] PDF tutorial show techniques and methods for SMT soldering.<br /> <br /> [http://dx.com/p/smd-soldering-practice-pcb-board-kit-green-149752 SMT Soldering Practice Board]<br /> <br /> [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Sb21qbpEQ EEVblog #180 - Soldering Tutorial Part 1 - Tools]<br /> <br /> [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYz5nIHH0iY EEVblog #183 - Soldering Tutorial Part 2]<br /> <br /> [http://youtu.be/b9FC9fAlfQE EEVblog #186 - Soldering Tutorial Part 3 - Surface Mount]<br /> <br /> ==How to Program a PIC==<br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Beginners_Guide_To_Programming_A_PIC|Beginners_Guide_To_Programming_A_PIC]]: Beginners Guide To PIC Programming<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:WayneJ&#039;s video series on PIC programming|WayneJ&#039;s video series on PIC programming]]: This is a series of videos on &quot;How to program a PIC&quot; using a [http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&amp;nodeId=1406&amp;dDocName=en023805?title= Microchip Programmer] hosted by [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/ Do It Yourself Christmas Forum] member [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/member.php?u=6 WayneJ].<br /> <br /> [[Archived ChristmasWiki:Microchip PIC References|Microchip PIC References]]: Books and other online references for learning how to use/program Microchip PIC Microprocessors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:General Info]]<br /> [[Category:Archived ChristmasWiki:DIYC Index]]</div>

ErnieHorning