Large scale LED controller for boat - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

heygreg · 9th October 2009, 02:10 AM

Hi,

I sure could use some help on this project, also would be willing to pay for high quality professional services. (must prove you are qualified)

Here's the project: We have 50 - 20ma high output LED's that will be installed in the boat transom, approx. 2" spacing. Need to have these led's scroll, chase, dim. Power supply is 12v (not 24v)

Where do I start? I'm not an electrical engineer, I am a test engineer stuck with this project for a show boat to be displayed at an annual convention.

Thanks.

Greg

dougy83 · 9th October 2009, 03:33 AM

You can buy 50' LED rope light with 8 function controller for <$50, see ebay. May require dropping the 12V down to whatever the unit uses.

heygreg · 9th October 2009, 03:46 AM

No rope light stuff for this boat! These are high output stainless led designed for marine environment were using. Were looking for a high end custom install, not a store bought, off the shelf screw on or glue on. Thanks though.

dougy83 · 9th October 2009, 03:59 AM

Well, if you want to make it yourself and have flexibility in the patterns and timing, you will likely want to use a microcontroller and drive the LEDs using multiplexing.

For a standard multiplex, there will be 15 wires that you will have to route to the LEDs. If you would like to elaborate on what you require, including customisation features, I can design or at least help you design a unit.

heygreg · 9th October 2009, 11:16 AM

Ok....lets get started.

dougy83 · 9th October 2009, 11:42 AM

Well, what do you require?
* Individual control of brightness for each LED?
* User programmable patterns?
* Pattern-change triggered by external input? (or just internally timed?)

heygreg · 9th October 2009, 12:28 PM

User progamable...dimming all, screoll, sequence, etc.

If the guys like the transom, then they want me to do the sides, which will be 125 LED's per side.

birdman0_o · 9th October 2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heygreg

No rope light stuff for this boat! These are high output stainless led designed for marine environment were using. Were looking for a high end custom install, not a store bought, off the shelf screw on or glue on. Thanks though.

How will you find someone to come install if you haven't specified a location!

csaba911 · 10th October 2009, 01:58 AM

Deleted
Deleted

Mr RB · 10th October 2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdman0_o

How will you find someone to come install if you haven't specified a location!

Well he said he was a test engineer and his people had given him this project. It would be logical to assume that he can do the electrical install itself but wants someone else to do the microcontroller module design.

heygreg · 10th October 2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr RB

Well he said he was a test engineer and his people had given him this project. It would be logical to assume that he can do the electrical install itself but wants someone else to do the microcontroller module design.

Yes, this is correct. No problems installing it, just need design help.
Since it's going on a boat, they don't want do-it-yourslef cricuit boats.

So, what's next?

Mike, K8LH · 10th October 2009, 12:39 PM

hi heygreg,

I would recommend something simple and hefty on the display side with full brightness and PWM brightness control. You should get an idea from the crude drawing below for the 15-pin LED wiring harness. You might consider four push buttons in a "diamond" pattern and a 2x16 LCD display for the user interface or perhaps something as simple as lighted push buttons switches. Power budget for the display below would be a maximum of 960-ma.

Let me know if you need help on this project.

Kind regards, Mike McLaren, K8LH (Westland, MI, USA)

Mr RB · 11th October 2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike, K8LH

...
You should get an idea from the crude drawing below...

Where's the crude drawing?? All I can see are the REALLY nice looking professional drawings.

be80be · 11th October 2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr RB

Where's the crude drawing?? All I can see are the REALLY nice looking professional drawings.

He can say that when he's good

All this work looks professional

Mike, K8LH · 11th October 2009, 01:02 PM

Thanks guys.

If the OP comes back, let's try to convince him to go with 48 LEDs instead of 50 (for reasons that are more obvious to us hardware/software types, LOL)...

Say, I wonder if an "SOS" effect would be nice to have (and hopefully never used)...

Kind regards, Mike

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9th October 2009, 02:10 AM	#1
heygreg	Large scale LED controller for boat Hi, I sure could use some help on this project, also would be willing to pay for high quality professional services. (must prove you are qualified) Here's the project: We have 50 - 20ma high output LED's that will be installed in the boat transom, approx. 2" spacing. Need to have these led's scroll, chase, dim. Power supply is 12v (not 24v) Where do I start? I'm not an electrical engineer, I am a test engineer stuck with this project for a show boat to be displayed at an annual convention. Thanks. Greg

9th October 2009, 03:33 AM	#2
dougy83	You can buy 50' LED rope light with 8 function controller for <$50, see ebay. May require dropping the 12V down to whatever the unit uses.

9th October 2009, 03:46 AM	#3
heygreg	No rope light stuff for this boat! These are high output stainless led designed for marine environment were using. Were looking for a high end custom install, not a store bought, off the shelf screw on or glue on. Thanks though.

9th October 2009, 03:59 AM	#4
dougy83	Well, if you want to make it yourself and have flexibility in the patterns and timing, you will likely want to use a microcontroller and drive the LEDs using multiplexing. For a standard multiplex, there will be 15 wires that you will have to route to the LEDs. If you would like to elaborate on what you require, including customisation features, I can design or at least help you design a unit.

9th October 2009, 11:42 AM	#6
dougy83	Well, what do you require? * Individual control of brightness for each LED? * User programmable patterns? * Pattern-change triggered by external input? (or just internally timed?)

9th October 2009, 12:28 PM	#7
heygreg	User progamable...dimming all, screoll, sequence, etc. If the guys like the transom, then they want me to do the sides, which will be 125 LED's per side.

10th October 2009, 01:58 AM	#9
csaba911	Deleted Deleted __________________ I'm could be wrong many time's, at least I know what I'm doing. http://shop.ebay.ca/merchant/csaba911 Last edited by csaba911; 10th October 2009 at 02:29 AM.

10th October 2009, 12:39 PM	#12
Mike, K8LH	hi heygreg, I would recommend something simple and hefty on the display side with full brightness and PWM brightness control. You should get an idea from the crude drawing below for the 15-pin LED wiring harness. You might consider four push buttons in a "diamond" pattern and a 2x16 LCD display for the user interface or perhaps something as simple as lighted push buttons switches. Power budget for the display below would be a maximum of 960-ma. Let me know if you need help on this project. Kind regards, Mike McLaren, K8LH (Westland, MI, USA) Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Mike, K8LH; 10th October 2009 at 12:52 PM.

11th October 2009, 01:02 PM	#15
Mike, K8LH	Thanks guys. If the OP comes back, let's try to convince him to go with 48 LEDs instead of 50 (for reasons that are more obvious to us hardware/software types, LOL)... Say, I wonder if an "SOS" effect would be nice to have (and hopefully never used)... Kind regards, Mike Last edited by Mike, K8LH; 11th October 2009 at 01:05 PM.