Hey ladies and gentlemen,

I've briefly searched the forums for combining microcontroller based systems with Legos, but not much results are there. But some of them had placed lightings in their sets which are really good and fun.

As an engineering graduate, with some electronics and microcontroller knowledge, I would have connected a PIC/AVR into hmm, for example, Lego house, with LEDs and bulbs around. Maybe lights will turn on at night, and shuts off in the morning.

I can handle those programming okay, but plugging the LEDs and the bulbs into the bricks is something new for me. I would use the 9V boxes from the vintage Lego sets (I once had a airport fire-engine with such functions) but it went missing and getting those from Bricklink is expensive.

Do you use drills to make way for the LEDs in that ABS plastic bricks, or you have any magnificient ideas? I would like to hear the opinions. :)

You should look for Arduino. I have my oen Lego version for Arduino (leguano) That is 100% pf compatible but can do even more. Last year at legoworld in Zwolle netherlands, i had a train with direction sensitive lighting, blinker on top etc using my leguano and an extra attiny2313 in the locomotive.

I have almost finished a system that will let you control PF with your iPad (still working on the scheduler that Will let you automate train movements). Client side will be open source.

Sincerely, jopiek

Pardon spell errors, I'm in the train and the iPad doesn't understand this should be an english spell check

oohw ja, about those LED's, I use SMD ones.

You should look for Arduino. I have my oen Lego version for Arduino (leguano) That is 100% pf compatible but can do even more. Last year at legoworld in Zwolle netherlands, i had a train with direction sensitive lighting, blinker on top etc using my leguano and an extra attiny2313 in the locomotive.

I have almost finished a system that will let you control PF with your iPad (still working on the scheduler that Will let you automate train movements). Client side will be open source.

Sincerely, jopiek

Pardon spell errors, I'm in the train and the iPad doesn't understand this should be an english spell check

I do have a plethora of microcontroller programmers on my desk - so I do not need an Arduino. I mainly program my microcontroller using assembly or C and therefore, these are often custom made. I have an Arduino on my desk but it's for the experimenting the USB hosts for the Android phone connectivity (another story there).

I tried drilling a cheap knockoff Lego brick and inserted an LED through it this afternoon - it fits OK, but I had to put my shirt around on my face to prevent the dust from getting into my nose. I will use a real one soon if I have some more spares. :)

Edited September 1, 201113 yr by The_YongGrand

I do have a plethora of microcontroller programmers on my desk - so I do not need an Arduino. I mainly program my microcontroller using assembly or C and therefore, these are often custom made. I have an Arduino on my desk but it's for the experimenting the USB hosts for the Android phone connectivity (another story there).

I tried drilling a cheap knockoff Lego brick and inserted an LED through it this afternoon - it fits OK, but I had to put my shirt around on my face to prevent the dust from getting into my nose. I will use a real one soon if I have some more spares. :)

But you don't have the IR code for it I guess ;) that uses Arduino (essentially C) libraries.

But you don't have the IR code for it I guess ;) that uses Arduino (essentially C) libraries.

I have books dealing with processing infrared signals in microcontrollers. Technically, I can use either Arduino, or other microcontrollers.

I may try to include SMD LEDs inside the Legos if possible, but I must be very careful and patient since these are very small stuff. :)