LED Matrix for Rear Fog Light Idea

diablokev87 · 09-04-2009, 10:02 AM

Yay, im getting my new Z today!!!!!!! So last night I started to look through the forum for interesting mod ideas and I think I figured out what I want my first mod to be.

I think it would be cool to put a super white led matrix into the rear fog light area. This matrix can be controlled with a simple micro controller to produce simple animations. If i hook up a radio module to the micro controller, I can program it on the fly to change the animations. I need to do some more research, but i think this is very possible.

Any ideas, comments, or concerns?

Thanks

Edit:

Fixed the vids... They will be up at http://www.youtube.com/user/RajUmadas

DIGItonium · 09-04-2009, 10:10 AM

You should be able to get an RGB LED Dot Matrix display panel, but then you'll need to replace the red lens with a clear lens.

With your microcontroller, you can scroll colored text and patterns with your dot matrix display.

Sounds like a fun project that'll garner attention at shows.

Shunya · 09-04-2009, 10:37 AM

pics? videos? i dun get this

dainedazz · 09-04-2009, 01:52 PM

word ^^ i dont get this either.

btw where in queens u from?

diablokev87 · 09-04-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

word ^^ i dont get this either.

btw where in queens u from?

Queens Village. Just got my Z from Koeppel. How about yourself.

Quote:

pics? videos? i dun get this

Imagine something like this in the fog light area. It can be changed on the fly to show different animations and stuff.

Also, if I interface a sonar sensor, I can make the distance the car behind me is feed into the controller to control the animations.

shabarivas · 09-04-2009, 02:25 PM

Should be easy to do - We should all do one project w/ teh same parts etc - That way - one person writes the SW for it

diablokev87 · 09-04-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

You should be able to get an RGB LED Dot Matrix display panel, but then you'll need to replace the red lens with a clear lens.

Quote:

We should all do one project w/ teh same parts etc

Awesome ideas. I don't plan on working on this for at least a week or 2. Need the funds to settle after the purchase. Not to mention getting caught back up with work.

In addition to above ideas, I think we can make it super modular. And follow open source hardware and software principles. Help everyone out.

Any ideas on a good micro-contoller for the application. I have a few ARMs, Pics, and Stamps around.

jmoreland · 09-05-2009, 05:14 PM

Probably could go with an AVR ATTiny or ATMega for the uC. Maybe a Mega328 so you can use an arduino easily for prototyping on the cheap.

Shunya · 09-05-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diablokev87

Queens Village. Just got my Z from Koeppel. How about yourself.

Imagine something like this in the fog light area. It can be changed on the fly to show different animations and stuff.

Also, if I interface a sonar sensor, I can make the distance the car behind me is feed into the controller to control the animations.

oh i get it now lol

Minicobra1 · 09-05-2009, 05:24 PM

No thanks, but if you can set one up that flashes 4 times when the brakes come on, then stays constant, that would be cool. I think this is on another thread here, but what I really want is this:

1. stays on constantly (low Led, not as bright as tail lights)
2. come on bright when brake is applied, flashes 3 or 4 times first.
3. turns white when backing up (maybe even flashes)
4. can turn on extra bright when in fog or rain.

thats it

Shunya · 09-05-2009, 05:25 PM

^ that's a neat idea

dainedazz · 09-05-2009, 05:29 PM

raised & grew up in ridgewood, queens.

diablokev87 · 09-11-2009, 08:55 AM

So someone seems to do something very similar for an S2000's tail lights. Product Listing - Exterior_LEDs .
That seems kind of cool, but a bit pricey. When i get this project off the ground, i really want to maintain an opensource attitude. But im pretty sure this dude will be rolling out with a module for a Z. So its up to the consumer to decide.

batman_4 · 09-14-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minicobra1

No thanks, but if you can set one up that flashes 4 times when the brakes come on, then stays constant, that would be cool. I think this is on another thread here, but what I really want is this:

1. stays on constantly (low Led, not as bright as tail lights)
2. come on bright when brake is applied, flashes 3 or 4 times first.
3. turns white when backing up (maybe even flashes)
4. can turn on extra bright when in fog or rain.

thats it

this is WIN

diablokev87 · 09-14-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minicobra1

No thanks, but if you can set one up that flashes 4 times when the brakes come on, then stays constant, that would be cool. I think this is on another thread here, but what I really want is this:

1. stays on constantly (low Led, not as bright as tail lights)
2. come on bright when brake is applied, flashes 3 or 4 times first.
3. turns white when backing up (maybe even flashes)
4. can turn on extra bright when in fog or rain.

thats it

So going this route sounds easier. We just need a few high intensity LEDs, and a clear fog light cover. We wouldnt even need to use a micro contoller, just a few high power transistors, or relays and the signals from the brake and reverse lights. I would also assume that to pull off number 4, we would need a switch.

09-04-2009, 10:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
diablokev87 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Queens NY Posts: 246 Drives: 09 Niss 370Z Blue A7 Rep Power: 16	LED Matrix for Rear Fog Light Idea Yay, im getting my new Z today!!!!!!! So last night I started to look through the forum for interesting mod ideas and I think I figured out what I want my first mod to be. I think it would be cool to put a super white led matrix into the rear fog light area. This matrix can be controlled with a simple micro controller to produce simple animations. If i hook up a radio module to the micro controller, I can program it on the fly to change the animations. I need to do some more research, but i think this is very possible. Any ideas, comments, or concerns? Thanks Edit: Fixed the vids... They will be up at http://www.youtube.com/user/RajUmadas Last edited by diablokev87; 10-07-2010 at 09:44 AM. Reason: Added Vid Link

09-04-2009, 10:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	You should be able to get an RGB LED Dot Matrix display panel, but then you'll need to replace the red lens with a clear lens. With your microcontroller, you can scroll colored text and patterns with your dot matrix display. Sounds like a fun project that'll garner attention at shows. __________________

09-04-2009, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
dainedazz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NJ, Philippines Posts: 1,325 Drives: 09' SR 6MT Z34 Rep Power: 293	word ^^ i dont get this either. btw where in queens u from? __________________ 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

09-05-2009, 05:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
Minicobra1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange County, CA. Posts: 1,205 Drives: 370Z Tour, Spt, 6mt Rep Power: 644	No thanks, but if you can set one up that flashes 4 times when the brakes come on, then stays constant, that would be cool. I think this is on another thread here, but what I really want is this: 1. stays on constantly (low Led, not as bright as tail lights) 2. come on bright when brake is applied, flashes 3 or 4 times first. 3. turns white when backing up (maybe even flashes) 4. can turn on extra bright when in fog or rain. thats it __________________ 370z Tour\| Spt Pack\|Navi\|BERK CBE\|Berk HFC's\| Eibach Springs\| Hotchkis Sway Bars\|SPC Camber Arms\|15mm Ichiba Wheel Spacers\| 19"Factory Nismo Wheels-Matt Black\|Stop Tech Rotors\|TWM Shifter\|3M Tint\|Black Fangs\|Black Rear Valance\|JDM Fog Light\| MY BAND-www.myspace.com/petroleum

09-05-2009, 05:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
dainedazz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NJ, Philippines Posts: 1,325 Drives: 09' SR 6MT Z34 Rep Power: 293	raised & grew up in ridgewood, queens. __________________ 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

09-04-2009, 10:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
Shunya A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,069 Drives: You Crazy! Rep Power: 22	pics? videos? i dun get this

09-04-2009, 02:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	Should be easy to do - We should all do one project w/ teh same parts etc - That way - one person writes the SW for it

09-05-2009, 05:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
jmoreland Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 2 Drives: Nissan Xterra Rep Power: 16	Probably could go with an AVR ATTiny or ATMega for the uC. Maybe a Mega328 so you can use an arduino easily for prototyping on the cheap.

09-05-2009, 05:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Shunya A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,069 Drives: You Crazy! Rep Power: 22	^ that's a neat idea

09-11-2009, 08:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
diablokev87 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Queens NY Posts: 246 Drives: 09 Niss 370Z Blue A7 Rep Power: 16	So someone seems to do something very similar for an S2000's tail lights. Product Listing - Exterior_LEDs . That seems kind of cool, but a bit pricey. When i get this project off the ground, i really want to maintain an opensource attitude. But im pretty sure this dude will be rolling out with a module for a Z. So its up to the consumer to decide.

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