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Jeremy:  I'm a volunteer firefighter in my county, and I am looking to design a system that I think the Ardunio will work with.  I'm hoping you can either help me with this a little, or if I'm barking up the wrong tree, steer me in the right direction.

Here's what I've got going:

Currently, I have a two strobe system installed on my personal truck, which I use for responding to emergency calls.

The first system is simply two independant rectangular LED heads (which can be synced to each other) with built in controllers that has about 15 different flash patterns programmed in.  This system can not be modified, and I'm not looking to do that anyway - just please read on and hopefully I can explain what I'm trying to do.

The second system is what is called a Six Head Strobe Pack/Kit.  It consists of six strobe lights, mounted in the headlights, front turn signals, and rear brake lights.  This system has a master control module with 24 different patterns, plus the ability to enable or disable the strobes is various configurations.

At the moment, I am using simple analog switches to turn on/off both systems, a switch to sync the LED heads, a two way momentary switch to change their patterns either indiviually or together if they are in Sync mode, a switch to change the Strobe pack between High/Low power, a switch to enable heads 1-4, a switch to enable heads 5-6, and a switch to change the strobe pattern.

What bugs me about this system (which I did build myself) is that it has no way to tell me what pattern I'm using with either system, and I have to know which pattern I'm on, and then push the correct button for each system x-# of times to get to the pattern I want.

Additionally, when I am using the system, if for some reason I choose to shut down my truck (due to length of the call in order to save gas), I have to stay on top of my strobe systems or they'll suck the battery dry and then of course, I have to ask for a jump from my fellow firefighters.

Now, that just touches on the basics of what I want to do...  And I apologize for this being such a long reply, but I feel it's better if you fully understand what I want to do:

I want to digitally control both strobe systems, using a chip of some sort.  The following requirements need to be met:

1) Has to display (on some sort of digital LCD) the current pattern for the selected Strobe system

2) Has to allow me to switch patterns either with a single push of the button for each pattern, OR, allow me to enter/select the pattern I want from the ones in memory, and then programatically, simulate a button push for the appropriate controller x-# of times until the correct pattern is reached.

3) Has to know (memory) which pattern is currently selected, and NOT FORGET the current selected pattern, even if the vehicle battery is dead (3.3V button cell battery to keep the memory charged?)

4) Has to allow me to change the various options for each strobe system and store them in memory

5) The display should be dimmable through the vehicles Dimmer control knob

6) The system MUST monitor vehicle voltage, and if it drops below x-volts, must shut down the strobes.

7) The system SHOULD enter a "power saving" mode when it detects that I have turned off the vehicle - so that the strobes run for say, 15 seconds, then shut down for 30, then run again for 15 more...  The times should be user seletable.

8) the LCD backlight should switch from + to - display mode or vice versa depending on time of day (day/night mode operation).

9) the LCD will switch between showing the current flash pattern for each strobe system, the current time, the current voltage of the vehicle, and so on.

10) I may, in the future, decide to add additional features, such as current GPS location (why I'd do this I don't know yet, but I've thought about it a little)

11) Last, it should be expandable for up to four strobe systems.

This is just the basics of what I'm looking for.  I plan to build this myself.  I have extensive electrical (not electronics) and computer systems/networking experience, but only limited electronics experience.  I know how to solder, cut wires, and make my own electrical circuits, but my experience with electronics is limited.

Here are my quesitons:

1) is the Ardunio the chip I want to use?

     a) If so, which flavor?

     b) If not, what should I use?

2) I think I know what sort of LCD I need, and where to get it, but if you have suggestions, I'm all ears.

3) Once I complete the concept, I want a printed circuit board for the system.  I'll use a breadboard for testing.  Where should I go to get one made?

4) I'd like to use a series of mini-switches - some that will control the module's functions, and others that will allow me to select menu items, and a couple for quick short cuts (such as one that will change the current selected strobe system, and one that will change the flash pattern of the current selected system).

5) I've thought about possibly using a touch screen, but I am currently not in favor of that, as it takes one of the driver's hands off the wheel and eyes off the road in order to touch the screen.  A button push is IMHO faster.... you only have to take your eyes off the road for a second, locate the button, and push it... with a touch screen, you have to verify that it "read" the push...  what are your thoughts on this?

Again, I realize this is quite a list.  If you or anyone else out there is interested in assisting me with this project, please let me know, and/or share any insight you have here.

I don't see a way to attach any files that might help you understand this project better, but I can send them to you if you feel they might help.  The first is a wiring diagram of the currently wired system (Power Point and/or Visio), and the second is a detailed breakdown of what I want the new controller head to do (Word).

Thanks!

V/R

Black-Wolf

Marc,

That's a pretty ambitious project, but it sounds really cool! 

1. It's certainly feasible, and I think the Arduino Mega 2560 would be a good choice for this project.

2. Do you want an LCD character display or something with greater resolution?  For the former, something like this would be good: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/256.  For the latter, I suggest this: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/710.  You could go for a color screen, but I think it would be more trouble than it's worth.

3. Since this is small production scale, you'll be best off with a batch PCB service like this: http://batchpcb.com/index.php/Products, or this: http://dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/pcb_order

4. That sounds like a great idea.  Just configure them as digital inputs into one of the pins on the arduino mega.

5. I agrre that you shouldn't use a touch screen.  It will be a huge pain to get work, and will likely be distracting.

Let me know if you have other questions, this sounds like a great idea!

Jeremy:  Thanks for the advice.  Since you brought up the kind of LCD Display, I was (and still am) on the fence about which way to go...

I think a graphical LCD would be great, esp. because I could program in my (or any other) firedepartment's logo and text and have that display on boot up, however, I'm not looking to go into buisness producing this sort of thing (not yet anyway). Also, other than using color for logos, I have no real interest in using a color LCD - the text would always be black on a lite color or vice versa - with one possible exception that might make it interesting (besides color logos):  that would be for having text show red when there is a problem, such as when the vehicle voltage drops too low for continued operation of the strobes.

On the other hand, a text only LCD would suit my needs just fine for the time being.  They are (I'm assuming this) simpler to program - correct?  Not that I shy away from programming.  I have a lot of experience in VB and VBA, and some in C++.  Working another language wouldn't hurt me - though it might take longer for me to figure out what I'm doing.

Oh, the final reason I'm trying to do this, is my current switch panel is 8" wide x 2" tall x 8" deep.  It occupies a big portion of my vehicle's realestate underneath my steering column (putting it up on top of the dash was proving to be problematic with the 12+ 14, 16, and 18 gauge wires.).  With a digital controller circuit, I could move all the high amp stuff and wiring into the engine compartment and use relays or something similar powered from the outputs of the chip, and use the small footprint and smaller external data/commnications wring that a digital controller would require to pretty much put it anywhere I want.  What is the best way to go about doing that?  I realize I need a certain voltage coming from the chip to "switch" the relays, but each realy needs to be able to handle at least 15 amps for the simpler LED strobes, and 30 amps for the 6-head strobe kit.

Another thought I had on this too... I would want an enclosure for the entire project that would be not much larger than the LCD and the buttons and also still hold the cirucuit board.  I'd like to have an etched/backlit panel for the buttons so that you could see them and their function in the dark.  Any ideas on where to get this done? I've looked high and low, and every place I've found, charges hundreds of dollars for this and also, most of them won't even consider designing something for a single run on one panel.

Again, thanks for your help with this.  I'll send pics when I start really getting into this project.  Oh, and I did start a "project" page.  I'm not sure if I need to give you permission or anything but there are files posted there that might help you understand what I'm trying to do.

I have attached two files also, that I think might help understand what I'm doing/trying to do.

Thanks!

Marc

Attachments:

	Strobe Kit Electronic Controller.pdf
	7ButtonSwitchWireDiagram.pdf

Jeremy:  Thanks for the advice.  Since you brought up the kind of LCD Display, I was (and still am) on the fence about which way to go...

I think a graphical LCD would be great, esp. because I could program in my (or any other) firedepartment's logo and text and have that display on boot up, however, I'm not looking to go into buisness producing this sort of thing (not yet anyway). Also, other than using color for logos, I have no real interest in using a color LCD - the text would always be black on a lite color or vice versa - with one possible exception that might make it interesting (besides color logos):  that would be for having text show red when there is a problem, such as when the vehicle voltage drops too low for continued operation of the strobes.

On the other hand, a text only LCD would suit my needs just fine for the time being.  They are (I'm assuming this) simpler to program - correct?  Not that I shy away from programming.  I have a lot of experience in VB and VBA, and some in C++.  Working another language wouldn't hurt me - though it might take longer for me to figure out what I'm doing.

Oh, the final reason I'm trying to do this, is my current switch panel is 8" wide x 2" tall x 8" deep.  It occupies a big portion of my vehicle's realestate underneath my steering column (putting it up on top of the dash was proving to be problematic with the 12+ 14, 16, and 18 gauge wires.).  With a digital controller circuit, I could move all the high amp stuff and wiring into the engine compartment and use relays or something similar powered from the outputs of the chip, and use the small footprint and smaller external data/commnications wring that a digital controller would require to pretty much put it anywhere I want.  What is the best way to go about doing that?  I realize I need a certain voltage coming from the chip to "switch" the relays, but each realy needs to be able to handle at least 15 amps for the simpler LED strobes, and 30 amps for the 6-head strobe kit.

Another thought I had on this too... I would want an enclosure for the entire project that would be not much larger than the LCD and the buttons and also still hold the cirucuit board.  I'd like to have an etched/backlit panel for the buttons so that you could see them and their function in the dark.  Any ideas on where to get this done? I've looked high and low, and every place I've found, charges hundreds of dollars for this and also, most of them won't even consider designing something for a single run on one panel.

Again, thanks for your help with this.  I'll send pics when I start really getting into this project.  Oh, and I did start a "project" page.  I'm not sure if I need to give you permission or anything but there are files posted there that might help you understand what I'm trying to do.

I have attached two files also, that I think might help understand what I'm doing/trying to do.

Thanks!

Marc

Attachments:

	Strobe Kit Electronic Controller.pdf
	7ButtonSwitchWireDiagram.pdf

Marc,

I'd definately go with a monochrome LCD, at least to start.  It will be easier to program, use less wiring, and be a lot cheaper.  You can always upgrade later.  As long as its backlit, I tihnk it will be more than sufficient for your needs.

You should be able to move the high amp stuff into the engine compartment without an issue.  You can run 22 or 24 guage wire from the arduino to the control line of the relays, which should be sufficient.

A good option for the enclosure might be laser cutting.  You can get it done in acrylic for relatively cheap now: http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/749