PunkRC Light Controller

[PunkRC]

Here is what this controller does:
It hooks in between your RX and ESC/Servos. It merely looks at the signals on your throttle and steering. It then controls several lights to function as in "real life".

Lights:
Headlights - On while you are driving, if you stop for a while, they turn off.
Tail Lights - On dim while normal driving, bright when "braking" (when a throttle slowing is detected) and off when parked light headlights.
3rd Brake Light - Normally off, turns on when "braking".
Right Signals - Normally on, blinks when turning and both flash when parking (parking lights)
Left Signals - See above
BackUp Lights - Turn on when moving in reverse.
Police Flashers - Blink Alternating in Double Flash all the time.

The unit has a total of 13 screw headers where you can wire in your own lights. Six on each side for headlights, front signals, flashers, rear signals, backup, and tail lights. One header on the rear for 3rd brake light.

The unit is also adjustable for channel reversing and trimming (only as far as the lights are concerned). The firmware is also user updateable.

I have yet to take a picture of the controller itself.

I have not price set for the units yet. I will however be posting a pre-order discount.

It is a video of the controller in action. More details to follow this afternoon...

THis video is very crude, just some footage. I have no pictures of the unit taken yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOpVW1GOan4

Help with Embedding please.....

[Timmahh]

thats some pretty sweet Chit. how big is the controller if you dont mind me asking? there are a few other units around but they dont have blinkers ect....

[PunkRC]

The unit is about 1.25"x3". It is very compact and light. 70% of the unit's area is just the connectors.

I have my prototype mounted onto the inside of my truck's body. Then I just have to plug it into the RX etc when putting on the body.

Power draw is usually minimal especially we using LED's. It can, however, handle higher loads like relays and normal lights.

I have a large order of production PCB Boards in the works. I am expecting units to start shipping by Mid Feburary.

[some_guy]

could you change it so the indicators are normally off then flash when turning

[Rogue]

Very interesting! I will be watching for this when it comes out.

[crawlman]

How about dual police lights red blue setup nothen else

[Mad4Rnr]

Looks like a cool design!

I would like to have one for my Tamiya Tundra

Would be cool if it was USB programable so you could set the desired function for each output.

[PunkRC]

Originally Posted by Mad4Rnr

Would be cool if it was USB programable so you could set the desired function for each output.

Well as far as being able to change functionality like that, I am going to have to just have prewritten and compiled code that the user the choose between. If would be fairly easy to have things work differently, but I think I would have to take that approach.

It is programmable via a serial port (which not everyone has on laptops).

[Scattman]

Very interesting.

[Joat]

I am having one custom built from someone, Head and taillights on via 3rd ch control, brakes lights when every braking and and revese lights when ever reversing, the current one I have also built from the same person is head and tail lights via 3rd ch control, and brakes lights when braking, would your system beable to do what I described in beginning?

[Timmahh]

as far as i can tell yes. seems to be a very well thought out unit.


my ? is on the emergency flashers part. Do they Always flash when your not moving? or can you also program them to only flash when activated?

Very interested in a unit for a buddy on another forum, hes got a killer 5T project going on that this unit would be great for.

[PunkRC]

Originally Posted by Timmahh

my ? is on the emergency flashers part. Do they Always flash when your not moving? or can you also program them to only flash when activated?

They are currently programmed to start flashing if you are stopped for a little while (maybe 30secs, not sure exactally) the headlights and taillights also turn off at this time. They then turn on when you go again.


Is there a better way to do that in anyone's opinion? I "could' add a third channel control, but that would bring up a hardware issue and there are alot of people who only have a 2ch anyway.

[Timmahh]

maybe stretch it out to a minutes time. if there is a way to activate it on/off may be the coolest way to do it. not sure if that can be done without additional channels

[Sasquatchbagger]

This is cool! keep us updated on it. How much would a unit cost?