Controlling lights with a central device

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garrettjeepxj

Member - Posts: 7

Joined: October 27, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 27, 2006 at 1:14 AM / IP Logged

I have and am putting a bunch of lights into my jeep. By a bunch i mean 11 kc lamps, undercar led, rock lights, interior and exterior strobe lights and in car neon glowire. I dont really want to have two billion switches to turn all these on and off. So i was wondering if theres some sort of unit, module, or device i could connect all these lights to and beable to control all of them in one place? i want to be able to switch them on seperately but without a bunch of switches. If you know of any thing or have any better ideas let me know because i dont really want to fiberglass a new console with tons of switches. Also if theres a unit with a remote that would be awesome cause its basically a show car and it would be cool to beable to control the lights outside the car. i found a unit with an lcd screen that controlled 6 lights. i didnt know if there was anything else like that?

master5

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Joined: October 10, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 27, 2006 at 5:09 PM / IP Logged

A cheap way out is with relay(s). They are cheap, effective and one switch can control as many as you need.

Use standard automotive 12v SPDT relays.

Each relay can handle up to 40amps depending but I would stay 30 or below. Determine the total current draw of all your lights and divide the total current up if over 30amps for number of relays needed.

If this sounds good to you post back if you need a diagram, I will need some more info as well.

Good Luck

master5

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Joined: October 10, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 27, 2006 at 5:12 PM / IP Logged

Oh I believe you want to control them all seperatly, but with only one switch or module?

Sorry can't help you there but perhaps someone else knows of something...sorry

garrettjeepxj

Member - Posts: 7

Joined: October 27, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 28, 2006 at 5:16 AM / IP Logged

Master5. you have it right. i just hate having like 15 or 16 switches in my consule. i want to be able to control them seperately but with only one module or box. i found this panel on plasmaglow.com called the control freak lcd touch panel. it controls 6 zones with an lcd screen. i didnt know if there was anything else like that out there? if you know of anything like that or have a better idea that would be great.

master5

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Location: United States

Posted: October 28, 2006 at 12:07 PM / IP Logged

Sorry, I don't but I will ask around as this is something I wmay have use for myself in the future.

I do believe there is a way to use a PC to control outputs, which could in turn possibly operate limitless components through a touch screen. In the past I worked with someone on a demo vehicle where we used a voice recognition system to do all kinds of fun stuff, move amp racks, turn sytems on and off so it is possible. It's been a while since building any show or demo vehicles, The last several years I have been training and installing consumer level systems But I bet there is a load of new technology out there that can do this.

Mad Scientists

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Joined: February 07, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: October 28, 2006 at 7:18 PM / IP Logged

You could look into using a PLC controller with a touch screen.. how much are you looking to spend? What input (switch - touchscreen - etc) do you want to use?

Jim

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garrettjeepxj

Member - Posts: 7

Joined: October 27, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 29, 2006 at 11:43 PM / IP Logged

i asked this question on another forum and they told me that a pc would be a good way to go. i want to try to keep it under $600ish because i really think this would be a cool feature. If the controller had other uses i would be willing to spend more on it. Sorry Mad Scientists what do you mean by what input?

ill-logix

Member - Posts: 39

Joined: April 07, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 30, 2006 at 4:33 PM / IP Logged

garrettjeepxj wrote:

I have something that sounds like it would work, its like a PLC. Checkout ill-logix.com and let me know if you are interested.

master5

Silver - Posts: 1,123

Joined: October 10, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 30, 2006 at 6:09 PM / IP Logged

hey, that ill-logix piece is nice.

any chance you can link me to a pic of the controller panel. It doesn't state if it is touch screen compatable ,etc.

If its in your price range this might be just what you need garrettjeepxj.

Thanx

ill-logix

Member - Posts: 39

Joined: April 07, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 30, 2006 at 8:12 PM / IP Logged

There is no touch panel, yet. It does have a four button wireless keyfob that can be used to turn multiple things off and on.I can look around and see if there is some kind of panel available that I could interface to. Our own panel is on the drawing board, but it wont be ready any time soon.

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