Ok I am a noob to all this although I did take electronics at school and I can solder etc... I also had an introduction to C++ and Java at Uni
THE IDEA
- Create a matrix of LEDs (48 columns x 5 rows)
- Use a PC to control each individual LED
- Power from a 12v DC car battery
- Eventually code some colourful light displays
This may be a unique installation as I will be putting these LEDs under the front grill of my 1978 VW Campervan! This already has an onboard windows computer.
So I am not sure where to begin and I dont want to waste my time and money. By googling I see I might need an Ardunio board and a PWD or possible I read something about shift registers...
Can anyone help me get this project designed?
I will be very greatful and I will post pics once it is complete!!!
also I meant to say, yes Ihave looked through the forum but I cant find any generic 'how tos' all seem specific to peoples problems... as you would expect!
If I'm not mistaken there is an ethernet solution up to the challenge, using a Wiznet and Propeller chip. The project is up on one of the Xmas forums. The WS2801 is also talked about extensively over there, including premade rgb led strings from China.
48x5 RGB devices equals 720 individual leds. Do you want simple on/off for each led or do you want to do more sophisticated color mixing by controlling the brightness of each led? I'm fairly certain that will make things quite a bit more complex.