Summary of Emergency Vehicle LED Light
This article describes a low-component emergency vehicle LED light circuit using a PIC12F675 microcontroller to create an alternating flashing effect similar to US police signals. Powered by a 12V automotive battery, the system utilizes six white LEDs and requires no external crystal, relying instead on the chip's internal 4MHz oscillator. The project is designed for high visibility in all weather conditions and suggests housing the circuit in a polycarbonate box with reflectors and colored covers for practical use.
Parts used in the Emergency Vehicle LED Light:
- PIC12F675 microcontroller (IC1)
- Six white LEDs (LED1 – LED6)
- Current limiting resistors
- 12V automotive battery
- Polycarbonate enclosure box
- Small reflectors
- Red and Blue transparent cover plates
- Mounting hardware
Described here is a low-component count Emergency Vehicle LED Light circuit which can be used for capturing the attention of (or warning) drivers and pedestrians. These type of lighting gadgets kindle an instant response that makes people look up and pay attention -an important consideration when a matter of moments can mean life or death in an emergency situation. It is 100% suitable for emergency vehicles of all types, police and first responders. The bright LEDs ensure the vehicle is clearly visible, even in bad weather conditions.
Schematic of the Emergency Light Circuit
Note that there’s no external crystal is used so it works on PIC12F675 micro-controller’s internal 4MHz oscillator.
About Initial Test!
Initial test was carried out using 2 white LEDs with current limiting resistors on a breadboard. Please check the unedited video. Note that this video is of very poor resolution, for which i deeply regret.
The circuit is wired around the popular and less-expensive PIC microcontroller PIC12F675 (IC1) and a bunch of 6 white LEDs (LED1 – LED6) to produce an alternating flashing effect (near-replica of the famous US police signal light). It can be powered from the 12V automotive battery. After construction and testing, try to enclose the entire circuit in a suitable polycarbonate (or similar) box with enough accessories like small reflectors, two color (usually Red & Blue) transparent cover plates, and mounting hardware, etc.
Enclosure idea
The program written in C (not included here), and compiled using MicroC PRO for PIC enables IC1 to flash one branch of LEDs 3 times then the other branch of LEDs 3 times, endlessly. Ready-to-use Hex Code required to program the PIC micro-controller (IC1) is available here (author’s Google Drive) for free download: http://goo.gl/TKPllt
For more detail: Emergency Vehicle LED Light
- What type of microcontroller is used in this circuit?
The circuit uses the popular and less-expensive PIC12F675 microcontroller. - Does the circuit require an external crystal?
No, there is no external crystal used as it works on the microcontroller's internal 4MHz oscillator. - How are the LEDs arranged to flash?
The program flashes one branch of LEDs three times then the other branch three times endlessly. - What voltage source powers the device?
The circuit can be powered from a 12V automotive battery. - What programming language was used for the code?
The program was written in C and compiled using MicroC PRO for PIC. - Where can the Hex Code for the microcontroller be downloaded?
The ready-to-use Hex Code is available for free download from the author's Google Drive link. - What material is recommended for the enclosure?
A suitable polycarbonate or similar box is recommended to enclose the entire circuit. - Can this circuit be used for different types of emergency vehicles?
Yes, it is 100% suitable for emergency vehicles of all types, including police and first responders.
