Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effect?

[RGPFX]

Like it says: I want a series of lights to run from left to right then right to left and repeat ala Knight-Rider or the Cylon (the real cylons not that CG crap) scanning eye.

I know I can combine multiple chips to get this effect, but I remember reading about a single chip that did it all onboard with minimum external components aside from maybe a clock pulse. Anyone? I can build the board but I need to know what chip it is.

Thanks,

RGP

 

[exoray]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

Just about any micro can handle the job, the problem is just like a computer the micro chip doesn't do anything without a program to run... And you need to write that program and then burn it to the chip...

It's a simple enough program to write and I'm not saying it's beyond the DIY level but it's hardly cost effective in the end...

I am willing to help you out if you are interested in a custom circuit, so feel free to PM me if you like...

Or just Google away you might find a circuit that someone has donated to the public...

 

[Lan-Ed-Tul]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

i actually seen one locally on a guys car, and even spotted the unit in a pepboys auto store.

 

[RGPFX]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

Just about any micro can handle the job, the problem is just like a computer the micro chip doesn't do anything without a program to run... And you need to write that program and then burn it to the chip...

...

Sorry, perhaps I was not specific enough. I mean a discrete pre-set component, not neccessarily a pic chip or PLA. I know that a 4017 can do it in one direction but I'm sure I read about a discrete chip that can do it in both directions easily.

 

[exoray]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

Sorry, perhaps I was not specific enough. I mean a discrete pre-set component, not neccessarily a pic chip or PLA. I know that a 4017 can do it in one direction but I'm sure I read about a discrete chip that can do it in both directions easily.

You can do it with a single or dual 4017...

Just Google up "knight rider light circuit" for several different circuits, some with the 4017 (single or dual) and some with other discrete chips...

 

[RGPFX]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

I'll check that out. If anyone has any other ideas, feel free to chip in too. Weblinks to circuits welcome!

RGP

 

[propmaster2000]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

Do you want a circuit that will drive incandescent bulbs or LEDs?
How many "lights" are you wanting to drive?
Do you want the scanning speed adjustable?
Will you be using an AC adaptor or Batteries?
How much room do you have for the circuit?

 

[RGPFX]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

Let's see now...

LED's are fine. I know how to hook in transistors for bulbs if needed but this application needs simple LEDs

Let's say in the range of 5 to 10 spots to be turned on, one at a time, with 2 LED's per-ON-spot.

I don't think the speed will need to be adjustable once it is decided upon. I'd probably prototype the circuit on a solderless breadboard first and try different values there to decide.

Power will be battery. Probably 9v for simplicity but I could add a voltage regulator chip if needed.

Not too much room, but it hasn't been exactly calculated yet.

 

[ShackMan]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

If you want 2 LEDs on at a time, but moving one space at a time (versus moving over to the next 2 LEDS), I'd say go with a micro ... much easier to code than to hardwire.


ATM
ShackMan

 

[exoray]

Re: Electronics experts...What Microchip does the back-forth Knight-rider light effec

If you want 2 LEDs on at a time, but moving one space at a time (versus moving over to the next 2 LEDS), I'd say go with a micro ... much easier to code than to hardwire.

I second that...