My brother is a difficult person to buy for around birthdays, but I think I have a plan this year. He has a very expensive & fast RC car that he loves. This thing goes over 80Mph and is all electric. He has talked for many weeks about a lighting kit and how they run around $400, but seem unrealistic. I told him not to buy one I will try to find one with more realistic functionality. So I have my chance and think it would be a great first project to use for learning how to play with an Arduino system.
I am looking to integrate headlights, fog lamps, brake lights, reverse lights, and turn signals and some even triggered by accelerometer possibly?? Then maybe some simulated under car neon when the car is stationary and idle. I would imagine the whole thing could be rigged up with about 12-20 LED's and probably the sketch could be fairly simple. Would this be an easy project to learn with?
I would like to piggyback the power source right off his regular RC power pack as I am certain the draw would minimal in comparison to his regular motors and he probably would see nothing as a battery life difference. When I mentioned to him I would like to look into something like this for a custom light kit rather than purchasing one (not for cost reasons but just because I wanna get into playing with Arduino) he asked what all was possible as far as control. Could he for example utilize his current 2.4ghz Spektrum radio to switch lights on and off as he has extra channels that are not used on the radio. Another question is could Arduino boards send information back to his radio for example speed readings based on GPS boards to a small LCD screen custom mounted on the transmitter? Logging of G-forces with time stamps so that he can use the data to perfect his stunts when he wants to replicate a jump or flip that was cool? All these features are something I would like to investigate but for now the lighting seems like a simple enough project to begin with. Any suggestions on this, comments or references to others who have done something similar? Is this even a realistic option or should I just go buy him a kit?
Another question is could Arduino boards send information back to his radio for example speed readings based on GPS boards to a small LCD screen custom mounted on the transmitter? Logging of G-forces with time stamps so that he can use the data to perfect his stunts when he wants to replicate a jump or flip that was cool?
Yes, the Arduino can be used to wirelessly send information. Of course, you'll need the appropriate hardware to collect that data (Arduino and GPS) and a radio (XBee gets my vote) to send it, and a receiver and Arduino and LCD to display it.
An accelerometer will provide instantaneous acceleration data. The Arduino can timestamp and log the data. Replicating the motion is a whole different story...
Could he for example utilize his current 2.4ghz Spektrum radio to switch lights on and off as he has extra channels that are not used on the radio.
Can't help you there. There are other RC enthusiasts that can.
Would this be an easy project to learn with?
Controlling the lights, yes. Getting the command to control the lights? That might be more complicated.
Of course, if you are going to add XBees and LCD, etc., adding a few switches to turn lights on would be trivial. With the accelerometer, the turn signals could be automatic.
RAM makes LED light kits for RC cars that can be hooked up the the rc's throttle channel and detect braking
you can use a Y servo connector on the steering channel to detect turns which would then turn on turning signal
do you know what spektrum radio does he use?
if its a pistol style most likely he only has 1 extra channel which by it self is very limited, some newer spektrum radios have built-in telemetry you would need the right receiver though
some thing like this
The DX3R PRO is packed with first-class software, including servo speed adjustment, ABS, traction control and 50-model memory. Built-in telemetry lets you monitor engine or motor temperature, keep tabs on engine rpm's or vehicle speed, track battery voltage, and check lap time, all in real-time.
Everything about the DX3R PRO is made to fit the way you drive, from the easy-to-read backlit screen to the large grip.
for controlling multiple things with a single channel you can use something like this
ajarnjoshua:
Could he for example utilize his current 2.4ghz Spektrum radio to switch lights on and off as he has extra channels that are not used on the radio.
I am doing a similar project for my RC Airplane, and I found a way to use an extra channel of a Spektrum receiver. I don't know what the difference between car and airplane transmitters and receivers, except that airplanes have more channels. I have a 7 channel radio, and this is the code I use to switch on one LED (could be used to turn on a relay), on channel 7.
/* LED connected to pin 13
Servo signal wire connected to pin 7 on Arduino
Gnd servo wire connected to Arduino Gnd
*/
int pin = 7;
unsigned long duration;
void setup()
{
// Serial.begin(300); //for testing purposes
pinMode(pin, INPUT); //set pin 7 as input
pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
delay(2000);
}
void loop()
{
duration = pulseIn(pin, HIGH);
// Serial.println(duration); //for testing purposes
if (duration <= 1500) { //for Channel 7 (Aux2) on Spektrum DX7
digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
}
if (duration >= 1501) { //for Channel 7 (Aux2) on Spektrum DX7
digitalWrite(13, LOW);
}
/*the NUMBER in "if (duration = 'NUMBER')" can be modified to work
with other channels on a Spektrum receiver
-The flap channel(Ch. 6) and the gear(Ch. 5) work with the
original numbers
*/
}
If he has more than one spare channel, you could do much more. Even with one channel you could still have an accelerometer or tilt sensor or something to sense a turn and turn on blinkers. Or a light sensor on top so that when it gets dark it turns on headlights instead of the fog lights that could always be on. Those are just a couple ideas the possibilities are endless really.
Arduino can run EL wire if you have the correct shield or parts. EL wire would make great ground effect lighting. It has multiple colors, can be made to flash, and very flexible.