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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

Werd we can follow http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...p-z-light.html and just fab the front part and put it back together...

Mounting this doesn't seem that hard anymore.

Prototype 1:

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

this is really gonna be cool for car shows

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.

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

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

that does look cool!

agreed that looks like a lot of fun...

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.

YouTube - Prototype 1- New Animations

Scrolling animation. Funky color scroll.

pic micro controllers are so much fun. I wish I had the time to do stuff like this again. Damn you real job!!!!!


Edit:
never mind I just read the whole thread and realized you used a Arduino board for this. No matter still just as fun.

Ok in a few minutes there will be a mock up video of the matrix actually in the fog light assembly. Vid and more detailed write up to follow. Stay tuned...

Ok major milestone today. I set up a mock run of the matrix in the stock fog light assembly of my Z. And by mock.. i mean a lot of black tape and hook up wires.

I followed the guide to take out the fog light assembly. Then i followed the z fog light guide to rip apart the front red lens. Once in there, i black-taped the matrix to the back of the lens and taped the lens back onto the assembly. I didn't want to seal it shut yet.

I put the fog light assembly back in place, screwed it, bolted it, and fastened it.

Passing the wires out a hole in the back of the assembly, i hooked it up to my arduino, powered the arduino off my usb port on my eeepc and enjoyed the sight.

I changed all my animation to use either white or black. Needed to do this to penetrate the heavily smoked lens. Once i can find a way to get a clear lens on this thing, i can put back all the pretty colors. I left the matrix in the assembly for now. Got dark. I hope it dones't rain.

Anyways here is the short vid... to bad i don't have a real video camera.

YouTube - Prototype 1- Mock Up

^^ okay Raj, your showcasing in HIN 2010! lol i love the creativity! props again! :tup: funny u texted me while i was watching your video haha! take it easy bro! good luck with the Clear Lens! i'm sure you'll find a way ;)

Thanks dude. I still have a lot of work to do to get to HIN showcase status. And im sure with the collective intelligence of this forum an awesome clear lens solution will surface.

Looks great Diablo.. Def car show material. +1 for creativity :tup: and congratulations on your Z. as for clear lens, that will be a tough one to find.

Thanks AK. I think that's my first +1. Nice.

Nice work, i'll give you your 2nd +1 :tup:

Hey Thanks guys. Ok so here is the dilemma. I was thinking that going with a non clear lens would make more sense.
1. It will stay as OEM as possible.
2. I avoid any legal issues due to blue lights. I hear that can be a bi**h.
3. I can then fab an led board with just Red LEDs and design the contoller board for it. This would eventually be cheaper.
4. If i dont run the animations while i drive, i can still just leave it on to act as a fog light.

Any thoughts. And if anyone has PCB fab experience, care to PM me. Thanks.

Raj