Hi All, please be gentle...
So I have a 2015 Volkswagen T5 van, to which I want to add LED spotlights into the load area. I have the kit already and have figured out how to wire it so they come on and off automatically with either of the three door switches (side sliding door each side plus a lifting tailgate at the back.
What I want to add are three switches, one at each door, to change the state of the lights, i.e. on if they are off and vice versa. I have forund some gucci looking 12v metal momentary action switches on ebay which I want to use as they have a 5v illuminated ring which will be useful for finding them in the dark (I plan on sleeping in the van).
The LED 12v kit I have sourced, however the guy who supplies thinks it will be a nightmare to install in this configuration and mentioned I would need a latching relay setup.
After researching latching relays it occurred to me that surely there is a microprocessor solution that can perform this task, which is how I have ended up here!
I think I need some form of flip flop circuit but I get lost almost immediately when looking into it - my knowledge of electronics is very basic.
It's not quite as simple as this processor just being a state changer for a 12v circuit, as I still want the lights to work from the factory door switches as standard.
Is an Arduino chip the right approach for me?
Many thanks for any advice.
Luke
The Arduino will do as you want if suitably programmed.
Be aware that you need to reduce the inputs from 12v to 5v or you will damage the Arduino. You will also need drivers for the LEDs as the outputs cannot drive them directly.
Weedpharma
You don't need a micro for this. All you need are two SPDT switches; one to replace the factory door switch and one for yourself. You would wire them up the same way that you wire "three way" switches in a home.
https://www.google.com/search?q=three+way+switch+wiring&tbm=isch
weedpharma:
The Arduino will do as you want if suitably programmed.
Be aware that you need to reduce the inputs from 12v to 5v or you will damage the Arduino. You will also need drivers for the LEDs as the outputs cannot drive them directly.
Weedpharma
No problem, the backlighting for the switch is a 5V supply anyway so will drop a 12v live to 5v and use that to feed the switches and the micro.
Yup appreciate the outputs are for switching only, not power supply. Can you reccommend which model of Ardunio I should look at for this?
Chagrin:
You don't need a micro for this. All you need are two SPDT switches; one to replace the factory door switch and one for yourself. You would wire them up the same way that you wire "three way" switches in a home.
https://www.google.com/search?q=three+way+switch+wiring&tbm=isch
Thanks but really want switch on/switch off capability from each door aperture, one SPDT switch will not do that for me.
CaptainPuke:
Thanks but really want switch on/switch off capability from each door aperture, one SPDT switch will not do that for me.
Well, OK, then you need SIX switches.
CaptainPuke:
No problem, the backlighting for the switch is a 5V supply anyway so will drop a 12v live to 5v and use that to feed the switches and the micro.
Yup appreciate the outputs are for switching only, not power supply. Can you reccommend which model of Ardunio I should look at for this?
As you only want a simple device without lots of IO, a UNO or Mega is an overkill (especially in size). Look for a smaller type that has the number of IO pins you require. Something small like a Micro (or equivalent).
Weedpharma