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

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.

pics? videos? i dun get this :(

word ^^ i dont get this either.

btw where in queens u from?

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

oh i get it now lol

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 :tup:

^ that's a neat idea

raised & grew up in ridgewood, queens.

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.

this is WIN :tup:

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.