Controlling lights with a central device

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

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

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.

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.

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

garrettjeepxj wrote:

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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?

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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.

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

Was just thinking.  I can program the PRC to use the four button key fob so that if you press and hold a button for 5 seconds, all the lights turn on,  if you press and hold it for another 5 seonds it will turn everything off...  To turn things on and off individually you could single or double tap a button on the key fob.  Just a thought.

Still a very interesting product. And having all the relays on board like that can definatly clean up the install as well as save time.

As it sits now using the fob, how many outputs can it control?

Each button on the keyfob is an input to the PRC.  So if you press button 1 on the keyfob the PRC reads it.  With some programming you can make it so if you press button 1 on the keyfob 1 time in one second  it can turn and latch on output 1, press 1 time in 1 second again and it will turn an latch off output 1.  Press it 2 times in one second it will turn and latch on output 2, press it 2 times again it will turn off output 2.  You can do this all the way up to 8.  Or you could spread them out over all four buttons.  Then in addition to that if you press and hold a button for x seconds it will turn everything on, do it again and everything turns off.  It really is limitless.

You could qualify controls with other inputs as well,  for example the only thing you want to be able to turn on when the ignition is off is a few led circuits so you dont kill your battery.  Or when the ignitions has been off 10 minutes your under carrage lights will flash on for 2 seconds every 30 seconds.  This off course would require quite a bit of programming but you are only limited your imagination.  I know thats a little more than what you asked about but I wanted to give you and idea of the PRC's flexibility.

I just finished a folding side view mirror controller that folds the mirrors in and out depending if the ignitions is on or off.  Cant wait to hear how his installation went.

I have a pretty simple idea:

A lot of stuff on x10.com uses 12volt, and a lot of their products are remote controlled relays. There is a remote they have with 20 buttons or so on it, and im sure you could use that...its portable, and wireless, so you could put on a little light show from 20 feet away...