Generic Automotive Light Effect PIC/Arduino Modules

These are simple modules I made with a pic 12c508 microcontroller. I use them to create different effects. The Mosfets are capable of some decent curernt with very little heating. I have used these for sequential turn signals, flashing brake lights, alternating flashers, strobe effects for leds, fade in out for a dome light etc etc

Step 1: Picking a Mosfet

there are two ways to do this. Use P channel mosfets to switch the power lead or N channel mosfets to switch the ground lead.

I made an 8 channel one for a traffic advisor clone for my truck. I got a bunch of 3rd brake lights from a surplus house for $2 each. I mounted them to a piece of kindorf and used a couple of muffler clamps to hold it to the rollbar. they all share a common ground lead so P-channel mosfets were used. that requires a 2n2222 transistor to pull the gate down. if you tried to hook the gate to the micro directly the mosfets would partially turn on and heat up. the trick is to always run them fully on or off. there will be very little heating.

Step 2: Single Light Controller