LED array setup help!

[SXRguyinMA]

ok, I want to use this for my rockin case project. basically the guitar strings are small diameter acrylic rod that will be sanded for a frosted look and the ends will be bent 90º down into the model. I want to put an RGB LED at each end of each rod and have them setup to run in a rainbow pattern or have it be programmed from win XP for whatever the wife wants it to look like.

heres a rough paint sketch (I'm at work so I cant get to sketchup lol) of what I'm looking to do. Click for a bigger pic

http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/normal_untitled~1.JPG (http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/untitled~1.JPG)

So the question is...how would I go about wiring up some sort of setup to control the 8 LEDs. Technically it will control 4 pairs of 2 LEDs, so 2 will run the same (each string). I'm looking to do this relatively inexpensively, so if a software setup is too expensive dont bother lol. I'd like to be able to switch colors though, and cycle through the rainbow or just have it cycle itself through the rainbow and be able to change the speed or shut it off completely. any and all ideas are appreciated!!

Thanks in advance.

Will


:EDIT: these are the LEDs I'm planning on using: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3060680

[Mach]

My first suggestion would be an arduino with code to color cycle. You should be able to find the code on the web to do so. I'll search for it tonight.

[SXRguyinMA]

I was doing some reasearch and I was looking at the arduino's. I also get Make: magazine as well and ahve seen them in there. I need to find one that I can pay cash for. The wife takes care of all the bills and bank accounts, and this is for a christmas present for her, so I need to keep it "under the radar" so to speak lol

[Collinstheclown]

Use the PICAXE system, they are dirt cheap. An Arduino would be overkill IMO.

You could easily use the PICAXE to change colors based on a pattern, and I'm pretty sure they can do PWM so you could fade them.

BTW, I havn't checked out your worklog yet (at work, pictures are blocked), but where are your other 2 strings?




-CollinstheClown

[Luke122]

Talk to Rendermandan.. he did something similar with his Project XPS.

[SXRguyinMA]

Use the PICAXE system, they are dirt cheap. An Arduino would be overkill IMO.

You could easily use the PICAXE to change colors based on a pattern, and I'm pretty sure they can do PWM so you could fade them.

BTW, I havn't checked out your worklog yet (at work, pictures are blocked), but where are your other 2 strings?




-CollinstheClown

I'll look into that thanks! as far as the strings go, I was going to originally do one for the pwr light, one for hdd act, etc. but I'm thinking I'll jsut do somethin fun with these isntead. I also think if I had 6 it'd be a bit crowded on the neck, but we'll see

[SgtM]

Talk to Rendermandan.. he did something similar with his Project XPS.

I'll have to second that. If I remember, his circuit was relatively simple.

[Oneslowz28]

If nothing else you can pick up an arduino nano pretty cheap now. I think they are like $20. As for the buying problem... pick up one of those prepaid credit cards from walmart.

[SXRguyinMA]

I read through XPS and sent him a PM. I didnt see any circuit diagrams, and I'd also need the program he wrote to control it. Its EXACTLY what I want to do, but use the LEDs to light the "strings" rather than an underglow. Hell I'll even make it 5 strings instead of 4 so the setup doesnt need to be changed

[SXRguyinMA]

If nothing else you can pick up an arduino nano pretty cheap now. I think they are like $20. As for the buying problem... pick up one of those prepaid credit cards from walmart.

aweomse idea! I didnt even think of that!!! +rep

[SXRguyinMA]

ok so I'm going to use these LEDs (http://ledshoppe.com/Product/led/LE1011.htm)instead, apparently the transistion between colors is smoother. I could also get these ones (http://ledshoppe.com/Product/led/LE1008.htm), but they cycle themselves so there would be no control over it

or maybe I can use EL Wire isntead? It will give a more consistant glow than trying to light up a plexi rod

[Collinstheclown]

If you used 6 EL wires then you could "play" the guitar. Might be neat, but you'd be limited on colors.




-CollinstheClown

[SXRguyinMA]

true on being limited for colors. I like the rainbow idea, that way it can be whatever color at any time

[SXRguyinMA]

after doing some reasearch it lookslike the easiest way to control them will be with an arduino. but I'm not sure I want to buy one just for this project. its something I'd like to use more and learn more about, but I need something that will be permanent in this build.

I found this, which looks like it may work for what I need. just gotta figure out where to get all the parts and how to program it

http://www.semifluid.com/?p=10

:EDIT:

found this too :up:

http://www.pcboard.ca/kits/led_rainbow/usersguide.html

[Collinstheclown]

I have a programmer and can program it for you, just get me the chip. :)

Provided of course your just gonna use his posted hex, as I have no idea how to write my own stuff yet.




-CollinstheClown

[SXRguyinMA]

SCORE!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-Rainbow-RGB-PWM-Kit-with-Ten-Dual-RGB-Displays_W0QQitemZ200395670175QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea883429f

[SXRguyinMA]

alright I bought that ebay kit, it should do exactly what I want! now just wait for it to come in and solder it all together, then figure out how to mount the LEDs. I've got some ideas already though :banana: