need pointed in the right direction, if my project is possible

Former Member over 12 years ago

I am newer to arduino, but i have some programming on it. I am a firefighter and want to create a light bar.

I am hoping that this project is possible for a near future completion date.

The project includes:

Arduino uno for pattern design and such. looking to use up to 16 3w LED from cree. its a small bar so nothing too much.

microelectronics to supplement the arduino for power as external power, step up if you will.

Bluetooth to turn lights on/off, hi voltage (3w for day use) low (1.5 for night use), change patterns.

solar panel (to create a self contained power (no wire running anywhere)

android app to control all the bluetooth

i could just buy a $400 lightbar but this would def be great if this is possible.

Please point me in the right direction on what to look at or such.

TIA

Matthew

0 atharvabenheckfan over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

now if you want the real time status the code will be edited and the bt module rx line will also be connected to send the host the status of the leds
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0 alexev over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

Hey Hatthew, why the bother with the on/off bt. module when you could just use an analogue photoresistor connected to the arduino that turns on and off a relay for half of your leds (day/night) and also switch from solar to batt. energy. Is the bt. a must and the range aswell? For an on/off simple switch and a close range of few meters, you could just use a cheaper rx/tx rf434MHz module. It's true that this bt. model supports up to 15-18m range transmission if the range would be an issue.
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0 Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to alexev

im not sure im saying what my thoughts are correctly.

bt would be on an android app with a gui to have a "switch" for on/off, day/night (with that being max brightness during day and half at night) and change patterns. the solar power should go to a battery in which powers it all. it would be mounted on the roof (lightbar) and have the phone with bt mounted on the dash. so close range is good. honestly if i use a 1w LED i dont need to have day/night. thats what standard lightbars come with. def a nice feature. as i said im still learning a lot and willing to try anything out. i thought of this project because i need a lightbar for the fire dept and i got a new car so self contained no wires being ran or holes cut in the car...26k $ car lol no holes.

Whelen Responder LP CON3 LED Lightbar - Magnetic - Blue - R1LPMB from SWPS.com pretty much the housing i have for this.

Warning Lights, Police Lights, LED Light Bars, Police Sirens,Dash Lights if you look at this video you can see the switch box on/off pattern change and real time led status. (more or less requirements for law) which will be on the android bt device app that my buddy will create.

its going to be all blue for now because of law. changeable in future. im sorry if i come off ignorant def not my intention especially with all the help on this.
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0 atharvabenheckfan over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

hi matthew the android app is already made and i have provided the link
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