Over the next few weeks I will be doing a bit of research on components to use for this project. What I am going to design is a lighting setup that will recognize a sensor on my keys and light up the ground, sides, and turn on the headlights for me. I never light walking up to a vehicle in the pitch black. Living in Atlanta, I have had my truck shot up, broken into, and many other things. When I lived in downtown, it was a regular occurrence that people would wait by my vehicle to ask for money or try to sell me drugs, if I can light the area around the vehicle, they will not stick around. I don't live in downtown Atlanta anymore, however I do travel down there almost every day, with classes in the afternoon the only time I have for work is in the evening. When I leave, the homeless people are begging for money and the dealers are out trying to make sales.
So the plan...make a system that turns on lighting when you approach the vehicle. Safety, convenience, and why not?
What lights will turn on?
The headlights (low beams)
LED Strips running along side the roof rack (~15 foot surrounding coverage)
Marine Flood lights underneath by the doors (very low lighting, nothing absurd)
Distance?
I will have a sensor that is on my keychain, it will be adjustable in terms of how far away I am and when the lights come on. I am thinking (at this time) 10-15 feet. I really don't want to be half way across the parking lot and have my headlights and everything else come on.
How?
I am looking into a proximity sensor that can be adjusted with range and different modes. I want to be able to select different modes, depending on location and situation.
Modes?
1) Headlights, flood lighting, and rear lighting (everything)
2) Flood and rear only
3) No lights at all
This is a rough draft. It's something I have always wanted to do with this truck. I used to valet park at a restaurant in Atlanta, it had no lights in the parking lot and it was very nice walking up to a car, lights came on, and you could get in without tripping over anything or putting your shoe into a deep puddle.
In the end I think a Arduino board programed for different modes would be the easiest way. I really don't like the IR method, as the key has to be pointed at the vehicle, I guess it wouldn't be that bad, but if your hands are full...pain in the ass. I know exactly what needs to be done for the lighting, however I am still struggling with how it will sense when I am walking up to the vehicle. I should be staring on the lighting pretty soon, however for now I may just wire them through a relay and tap into the dome lighting, which turns on when you unlock via key (which mine is broken....)
Thoughts?
So the plan...make a system that turns on lighting when you approach the vehicle. Safety, convenience, and why not?
What lights will turn on?
The headlights (low beams)
LED Strips running along side the roof rack (~15 foot surrounding coverage)
Marine Flood lights underneath by the doors (very low lighting, nothing absurd)
Distance?
I will have a sensor that is on my keychain, it will be adjustable in terms of how far away I am and when the lights come on. I am thinking (at this time) 10-15 feet. I really don't want to be half way across the parking lot and have my headlights and everything else come on.
How?
I am looking into a proximity sensor that can be adjusted with range and different modes. I want to be able to select different modes, depending on location and situation.
Modes?
1) Headlights, flood lighting, and rear lighting (everything)
2) Flood and rear only
3) No lights at all
This is a rough draft. It's something I have always wanted to do with this truck. I used to valet park at a restaurant in Atlanta, it had no lights in the parking lot and it was very nice walking up to a car, lights came on, and you could get in without tripping over anything or putting your shoe into a deep puddle.
In the end I think a Arduino board programed for different modes would be the easiest way. I really don't like the IR method, as the key has to be pointed at the vehicle, I guess it wouldn't be that bad, but if your hands are full...pain in the ass. I know exactly what needs to be done for the lighting, however I am still struggling with how it will sense when I am walking up to the vehicle. I should be staring on the lighting pretty soon, however for now I may just wire them through a relay and tap into the dome lighting, which turns on when you unlock via key (which mine is broken....)
Thoughts?
