View Full Version : Grill Light ??'s
jwibbity
08-08-2014, 08:08 AM
I was thinking about something today. Adding lights to the grill areas of the car (upper and lower).
But I wanted the lights to increase intensity according to engine rpm as an option instead of just constantly on. I thinking of using a 3 postion toggle switch ON-OFF-ON, so I could have them on normal or variable output.
Where would I tap into to get this varying voltage, if its possible.??
Thoughts!?!?
jwibbity
08-08-2014, 08:15 AM
After doing some research I would need to use PWM circuit, or use a programmed micro controller.
What kind of signal does the ECM put out to determine engine rpm?!?
ChiTownMaraud3r
08-08-2014, 09:07 AM
You're still going to need some sort of dimming relay with a control signal input. I think a knight rider theme LED strobe thing up front would be cool.
jwibbity
08-08-2014, 09:17 AM
You're still going to need some sort of dimming relay with a control signal input. I think a knight rider theme LED strobe thing up front would be cool.
well thats what the micro controller would do, use the signal coming from the pcm 0-5V, or whatever and vary the output to the lights themsleves.
So if I'm flooring the gas pedal and the ECM is say at 4.9 volts or something, the microcontroller would take see that signal and output almost the max intensity of the lights.
Or so I'm guessing.
ChiTownMaraud3r
08-08-2014, 09:20 AM
Not hard to do with an arduino at all. My concern would be wire size with the amount of current the lights may require depending on what you use. Typically you would want the microcontroller to connect a low voltage, low current signal to a relay.
Check out some of these threads,
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,80398.0.html
https://labitat.dk/wiki/Arduino_Car_Hacking
jwibbity
08-08-2014, 10:08 AM
Not hard to do with an arduino at all. My concern would be wire size with the amount of current the lights may require depending on what you use. Typically you would want the microcontroller to connect a low voltage, low current signal to a relay.
Check out some of these threads,
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,80398.0.html
https://labitat.dk/wiki/Arduino_Car_Hacking
guess I have some homework to do, maybe I can hire somebody to build one for me, :lol:
ChiTownMaraud3r
08-08-2014, 11:56 AM
Sounds like a fun project. If I win the lotto, I will build it for you free once I quit my job. :up:
Guittard22
08-08-2014, 01:34 PM
I was thinking about something today. Adding lights to the grill areas of the car (upper and lower).
But I wanted the lights to increase intensity according to engine rpm as an option instead of just constantly on. I thinking of using a 3 postion toggle switch ON-OFF-ON, so I could have them on normal or variable output.
Where would I tap into to get this varying voltage, if its possible.??
Thoughts!?!?
Txt me I been working on a grill that may work to your liking !
cobrakid
08-08-2014, 11:46 PM
This was with one light and it is allot brighter than we expected it only has on/off so I can't help with the rpm part but I don't know if this is what you meant or more of a fog light style also running the wire through the firewall was the hardest part by far.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/09/e4a4e7et.jpg
jwibbity
08-09-2014, 12:07 PM
This was with one light and it is allot brighter than we expected it only has on/off so I can't help with the rpm part but I don't know if this is what you meant or more of a fog light style also running the wire through the firewall was the hardest part by far.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/09/e4a4e7et.jpg
yea pretty much lit up just like that but when the rpms go up the light would get brighter, it would obviously be more of a show thing :beer:
cobrakid
08-09-2014, 02:07 PM
Have you put a switch in the cabin yet or is it just to the battery
jwibbity
08-09-2014, 02:53 PM
Have you put a switch in the cabin yet or is it just to the battery
haven't wired anything yet, but the switch will be in the car probably underneath the steering wheel or on the dash somewhere. Where did you get your lights and what kind are they??? I typically use Superbrightleds.com for all my lighting needs
cobrakid
08-09-2014, 02:58 PM
6 bucks on eBay something from china but it works great we used small speaker wire to wire it up under the steering column but the firewall is very hard you need to string it through with a hanger and the grommet is on the bottom behind the brake pedal
jwibbity
08-09-2014, 03:28 PM
6 bucks on eBay something from china but it works great we used small speaker wire to wire it up under the steering column but the firewall is very hard you need to string it through with a hanger and the grommet is on the bottom behind the brake pedal
I know which one your talking about, had to get to that one to run my 0 gauge to the trunk, I'm glad I'm eaton swapped because I didn't see any grommets on the passenger side firewall
Guittard22
08-09-2014, 04:28 PM
This was with one light and it is allot brighter than we expected it only has on/off so I can't help with the rpm part but I don't know if this is what you meant or more of a fog light style also running the wire through the firewall was the hardest part by far.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/09/e4a4e7et.jpg
Cobra kid you should do a write up with pictures and install on this very nice and you just gave Me some great ideas -Stay tuned
cobrakid
08-09-2014, 05:13 PM
Cobra kid you should do a write up with pictures and install on this very nice and you just gave Me some great ideas -Stay tuned
Will do I will work in it
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