LED Matrix for Rear Fog Light Idea

diablokev87

I just bought SparkFun Electronics - LED Matrix - Serial Interface - Red/Green/Blue. I am going to use a SparkFun Electronics - Prototyping Board for LPC2138 that i have around the house to program the first animation. Once i get all the code and stuff down. Then i will figure out how to mount it. Might need some help with that one.

This is a link to an example console output of the first animation. When i get the led matrix, it should be easy to put that on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8uqmc1Dz6U

diablokev87

So the LPC board uses a 3.3 v VCC. this would make interfacing to the LED matrix slightly more annoying. I elected to get an Arduino for this project. It is easier to interface, easier to program, and cost effective. This will make it easier for anyone to do the project. The arduino should come in a few days.

vaevictus

Meggy Jr RGB

I bought and assembled one of these. It's basically what you're after.
You've got your RGB display, and an atmega168 chip (core of the arduino) (could be a 328 chip too.) under the led board, it's got two driver chips and the transistor bank. It works with the arduino software and has two layers of API to interface with the display. This library is very handy.

A whole arduino is good for setting up, programming and prototyping... but seems a bit sloppy for the final product. Maybe I'm just cheap atmega328's cost like 6 bucks, and you could probably get a bare 8x8 for 30$. the two driver chips for 8.50$ here, here. It's certainly not as simple, but it cuts your costs in half or so. 50$ instead of 100$. And of course, you'd have to make a board of some nature. Making your own with perf board or copper clad is easy enough, or you could get a board printed at batchpcb, sparkfun's *cheap* board printing service.

You could, maybe, make a board, and get several made... and sell them as a whole or as a kit. Just thinking out loud.

Should be a fun project. I don't know how much space is back there, but you could even just buy a meggy jr, and connect the display to the board via cable and mount the board a bit further away from the display.

cheers!

vaevictus

Anyway... if you need help programming, let me know.

diablokev87

I agree 100 percent. I am just using the Arduino for prototyping. Once I work out all the kinks, and develop a decent firmware for modular animation uploads, the next step will be to try to put it all together in one, neat and small PCB. I was also thinking this would allow us to use some high intesity LEDs and custom PCB size to fit in the fog light area.

If you want to, we can work on this together. I dont have too much experience developing PCB layouts, but im sure i can figure it out.

jmoreland

Could probably use something from Alumilite when ready to fab a clear lense. they have a nice tutorial on duplicating a tail light. Could probably use a similar process for the fog light lense.

diablokev87

Werd we can follow DIY: Rear Fog-Lamp "Z" light and just fab the front part and put it back together...

Mounting this doesn't seem that hard anymore.

diablokev87

Prototype 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asRzH701CKk

dainedazz

this is really gonna be cool for car shows

__________________
DaineZ' Rosalena | Kenwood | Pioneer | 3M | 180 Custom | Stillen | Z1 | Fast Intentions | Setrab | Eibach | Varis | UpRev | TEIN | UAM | Amuse | Bride | Southbend | WORK | TWM | BFGoodrich | Robispec | TAKATA | GTSPEC | Instagram @johndainez

diablokev87

Prototype 1: Outside.

I was able to prop it up right infront of the fog light. It is being held at the general angle that the fog light is. Enjoy.

YouTube - Prototype 1: Outside

It may look a little small... but trust me, in person its the perfect size.

dainedazz

that looks real official! ^^ i like your creativity man! props!

__________________
DaineZ' Rosalena | Kenwood | Pioneer | 3M | 180 Custom | Stillen | Z1 | Fast Intentions | Setrab | Eibach | Varis | UpRev | TEIN | UAM | Amuse | Bride | Southbend | WORK | TWM | BFGoodrich | Robispec | TAKATA | GTSPEC | Instagram @johndainez

diablokev87

Thanks dude. Maybe when we all go to VTR i can get some tips on mounting.

batman_4

that does look cool!

__________________

'09 6spd. Touring: Eibach / SPC / Motordyne / Berk / Z1 / Oneighty / Mines / SSR / Stillen / CFE

iceman21_23

agreed that looks like a lot of fun...

diablokev87

Thanks dudes. Im just working on some other animations to add to the flare and spark some people to think of other awesome 8x8 animations. I just did my 370z scrolling from left to right animation. I also added an effect that can make it all LSD-esque with the colors. Ill put new vids up later.

When i get some time, I can either work on developing a modular firmware, where we can make animation files and upload to the device, or i can work on a mounting plan. Ill figure that out later.