Dashlinq4 and Arduino: LED Control System

[nickw14]

Hey guys. I just started on this project a few days ago, and I thought maybe the other tech-oriented members here would be interested in following it. I will update the thread periodically with my progress/other ideas. Don't hesitate to suggest new features!

Preface (kinda long, no need to read unless you're interested!)
Back in Fall 2013 I started my freshman year of college at the University of Toledo's college of engineering. A friend of mine that lived across the hall from me was also a computer science major, so we became pretty good friends. I designed and implemented a circuit using an Arduino microcontroller that gave the Arduino control over an LED strip that I got from one of my roommates. I wrote a program for the Arduino to be accept commands over its built-in serial port and control the LED strip accordingly. My original plan was to write a client program for Windows/Linux to control the lights. I completed that program and just put the project on the back burner until recently.

Dashlinq4
This thing is amazing. There is already a large (massive) thread on this unit here. For that reason, I will only include a single picture of mine installed. They all look the same.


Purpose
The head unit will interface with my Arduino to control an RGB LED strip. The LED strip will be placed in the foot wells.

Stay tuned for more updates! I will post some more pictures when I am home and working on the project later today. Comments/Suggestions are very welcome.

[Chimera]

Interested!
you can get a Bluetooth BLE control module from Diode Dynamics that works pretty well and would integrate pretty cleanly with the dashlinq unit.
Are you considering attempting to get a hardwired controller working?

[nickw14]

Originally Posted by Chimera

Interested!
you can get a Bluetooth BLE control module from Diode Dynamics that works pretty well and would integrate pretty cleanly with the dashlinq unit.
Are you considering attempting to get a hardwired controller working?

I am already using USB OTG support that comes with Android. The unit offers a usb port that I plugged a splitter into. I have a feeling that anything wireless will increase the lag in communication between devices (Arduino's are already somewhat notorious for lag in serial communication).

[stugray]

Let me know if you have any problems or need help.
I am an EE with over 30 years software exp.

I recently built an Arduino datalogger for my porsche 914 racecar.
It logs 8X analogs (Batt Volts, oil temp, oil press, fuel press, MAP, etc.) AFR & 4X Thermocouple temps (digital-innovate), and tachometer.

It logs the data locally on a SDcard and sends out data packets at 1 HZ over the USB to a DROID Phone.
There I have implemented the software to read the USB data packets, display on gauge faces (like torque), log data to the phone, and graph it if desired.

The datalogger can also check all of my data for out of range conditions and turn on a dash light as a warning.
It also supports a shift light.

So if you need help with interfacing the Arduino to the Droid OS over USB, I can help with that.
As an added Bonus, I drive by Sparkfun every morning on the way to work.

I also have a lot of experience with LEDs as I have built multi-thousand $$ systems for high end reef tank aquariums.

[nickw14]

Originally Posted by stugray

Let me know if you have any problems or need help.
I am an EE with over 30 years software exp.

I recently built an Arduino datalogger for my porsche 914 racecar.
It logs 8X analogs (Batt Volts, oil temp, oil press, fuel press, MAP, etc.) AFR & 4X Thermocouple temps (digital-innovate), and tachometer.

It logs the data locally on a SDcard and sends out data packets at 1 HZ over the USB to a DROID Phone.
There I have implemented the software to read the USB data packets, display on gauge faces (like torque), log data to the phone, and graph it if desired.

The datalogger can also check all of my data for out of range conditions and turn on a dash light as a warning.
It also supports a shift light.

So if you need help with interfacing the Arduino to the Droid OS over USB, I can help with that.
As an added Bonus, I drive by Sparkfun every morning on the way to work.

I also have a lot of experience with LEDs as I have built multi-thousand $$ systems for high end reef tank aquariums.

Wow, thanks a lot! It took me a solid 2 days of work just to get my head unit to communicate with the arduino (I have never been big into android development, so this is "learn as I go").

I might have to talk to you once I finish the rough draft of the program and start debugging this stupid serial lag issue...

[Pwolf]

Looking forward to what you come up with. My background is more software than hardware but I was thinking about something similar to try and learn more about the arduino environment.

[nickw14]

I just noticed my only picture link is down... I love and hate google drive all at the same time. I will update it later.

I finished the software portion of the project last night so I will get some screenshots posted as well!