Adding lights to 8109 flatbed truck

[Robvdveer]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but not to lego! I've got technic lego from 1982!

I'm now much older. Got a bad disease that gave me lots of spare time. So i bought a few sets to keep me busy. I liked the flatbed truck but it seemed a bit lifeless to me. I decided to learn electronics and add a few (28) lights to it.

I hope i'm in the right section to show the current progress. I notice that i cannot post images as a new member.

For more details, please visit my site at http://simplicate.weebly.com/1/category/lego/1.html, and http://simplicate.weebly.com/lighting-the-room.html

Edit: 2nd link failed

Edited May 13, 2013 by Robvdveer

[DLuders]

Welcome to Eurobricks! Have you seen Blakbird's Technicopedia to learn more about the old Technic sets?

[Alasdair Ryan]

Welcome to the forum Robvdveer.

That is a lot of lights you are adding to the truck,I look forward to the final result.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Alasdair Ryan

[Robvdveer]

Welcome to Eurobricks! Have you seen Blakbird's Technicopedia to learn more about the old Technic sets?

That site is awesome. I think i had all the sets between 1977 and 1979, and some later sets too.

[Lakop]

Hi, welcome to the forum

That's a great idea. I see a lot of flatbed trucks, as I live near several car repair garages, and they are always lit up when they take cars away at night. I like the strobing lights. That will look good when complete.

H

[andythenorth]

Thanks for your blog post, I've been thinking about controlling LEDs in Technic vehicles using Arduino boards, and this gives me some helpful info.

I'm hoping I can slave the Arduino to the IR signal from Power Functions remote, then use it for turn signals, reverse lights etc in a remote control truck.

[Robvdveer]

Thanks so much for you replies. I will certainly keep you update through my site or via this board. Today i'm starting on assembly of the pieces i hope it goes wel well with that insane amount of wires in that little cabin.

[Robvdveer]

Almost done!

[peter_m]

< offtopic >

Thanks for your blog post, I've been thinking about controlling LEDs in Technic vehicles using Arduino boards, and this gives me some helpful info.

I'm hoping I can slave the Arduino to the IR signal from Power Functions remote, then use it for turn signals, reverse lights etc in a remote control truck.

You can control power functions directly from Arduino - you just need to sacrifice one PF wire -> http://books.google....arduino&f=false

In this case you can communicate with your PF motors via Arduino in any way you like - IR, bluetooth, ethernet, wifi :)

< / offtopic >

Cool MOC Robvdveer! I am planning to do something similar with my crane truck - but I am now looking for 4mm LEDs, as 5mm ones are slightly too big for liftarm holes and 3mm ones are too small :(

Edited May 15, 2013 by peter_m

[Robvdveer]

Cool MOC Robvdveer! I am planning to do something similar with my crane truck - but I am now looking for 4mm LEDs, as 5mm ones are slightly too big for liftarm holes and 3mm ones are too small :(

If you use a half-connector with 3mm leds, you can click the leds almost everywhere.

http://www.brickset.com/parts/?part=4211483

[OleBM]

Very nice! This is the sort of customisation in lego I really like! Keep up the nice work!

[Robvdveer]

Very nice! This is the sort of customisation in lego I really like! Keep up the nice work!

Thanks so mch, Ole

In other news: here's a closeup of the control board installed in the proper place:

[peter_m]

Surely your project got me inspired :) - I have ordered some parts and I'm gonna ardu-pimp my unimog :).

In terms of LED sizes half-connector+3mm seems to be working for you. I will do the same - thanks for the tips!.

[Robvdveer]

Surely your project got me inspired :) - I have ordered some parts and I'm gonna ardu-pimp my unimog :).

In terms of LED sizes half-connector+3mm seems to be working for you. I will do the same - thanks for the tips!.

Awesome! you know i'm jealous on the amount of space you have in the Unimog.

Remember, to get a perfect flat fit, grind of the rim of the led, like the marked bit in the image below. I used a small electric knife sharpener to do that, but any dremel-like tool will do. Then you can push the leds all the way in (incl. a bit of wire). Also make sure you select the right leds, i used high intensity, 25 degree beam leds.

Edited May 16, 2013 by Robvdveer

[GDomino]

Interesting thread. I may have to try this for one of my 9398s, since it's relegated mainly for display...

[Robvdveer]

I'm finished.

Well not really, i need to clean up wires etc. But all the lights are connected. With all lights on, a fully charged PF battery pack with rechargeable AA's is empty in 2 hrs. But it surely lights the room up!

I'll be monitoring battery usage in the coming weeks, perhaps i can squeeze out a little more. Also, i've been looking to have a proper PCB produced, perhaps with some lego-sized holes for mounting. That would be cool for a 2nd version.

This weekend i plan to update documentation and upload a video of the features. What needs to be done? Cleanup, as mentioned, and the software isn't finished, it cannot be operated remotely yet. Perhaps add feature to dim the lights so the battery holds out longer.

[Lakop]

Have you thought about a seperate battery pack. Maybe using a 9V battery. I do wonder sometimes why lego don't make a 9V battery pack. it would be so much more compact. I suppose for showcase and display purposes it's worth investing in lots of batteries. I look forward to your videos.

H

[Robvdveer]

Have you thought about a seperate battery pack. Maybe using a 9V battery. I do wonder sometimes why lego don't make a 9V battery pack. it would be so much more compact. I suppose for showcase and display purposes it's worth investing in lots of batteries. I look forward to your videos.

H

Thanks Horace, but i'm not sure we understand eachother. I'm using the standard lego powerfunctions battery box, but with rechargeable batteries inside. This has several more aH's (amp hours) than a regular 9v cell. I cut a PF extension cable and connected it to my board and lights.plus i keep the originality of the model and the exsting power functions.

[Someonenamedjon]

He basically just multiplied the amount of lights with a home-made board. (Am i right?)

[Lakop]

I understand.

H

[Robvdveer]

He basically just multiplied the amount of lights with a home-made board. (Am i right?)

That's putting it very simply. There is also the animation and controlling of those lights, reading/decoding infrared signals and bluetooth communications. All crammed into very tight spaces. I'm pretty new to electronics, i could have used even smaller SMD components or purposeprgrammed PIC pricessors to get it to about 25% of its size. But SMD soldering is a little too advanced for me.

[peter_m]

A little offtopic - #9396 Rescue Helicopter also has a great potential for adding lights! :)

[Robvdveer]

Hey that could be my next project! I'm also very eager to see what possibilites the August '13 models will bring.

[leoparder]

I think this is very interesting. I don't know anything about arduino or electrical things but I have notions in code. Could you explain us a little bit the technical part ? As if I was 10 years old

It looks awesome !

[Robvdveer]

Thanks, leoparder

What a coincidence! I'm planning to write down a little story on the software side of things tomorrow. Check my blog for updated! (If i don't forget, i'll put up a notice here as well),