Lego 21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1 - Fully enlightened

[M600]

Hi,

First and foremost, i'm French. I do my best to avoid grammatical and spelling error but some (a lot in fact) may subsist. I'm sorry for that by advance.

Second, it's my first post here! Hopefully not the last. So here is my mod based on the set 21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1 car. It's a fully custom made light mod.

Key feature of this is:

- NO modification of ANY Lego bricks.

- NO kragle or drilling or any other funky stuff.

- Everything must fit inside.

- Hide the mod as much as it can be.

- All should work as expected (the strobes strobe, the rotating beacon rotate, etc).

The mod is made of 28 LEDs, all controlled by an Arduino board. All wire are INSIDE the car.

// All images are clickable for a bigger version.

Here is the exterior shots, everything is exactly like every set:

The roof portion is still detachable without any hanging wire, it's also clean underneath. Nothing cheap to hide a messy mod:

Everything is controlled by an Arduino Pro Mini (Not really a choice, it was the smallest Arduino board I had in home) that is hidden under a 4x2 plates:

Same apply for the battery, that was what I had at the time of building. A smaller lipo can be fit so it's not a choice. Run time is... Well I don't know.

It fit in the trunk of the car and it's the ideal size to be held by the window mounting point after a small change in the design. Neat!

The roof is attached by a very thin wire and connectedto it via a small 45° home made adapter:

To start the Arduino, there's a hidden Reed sensor which is (for who don't know) triggered by a magnet.

I put a neodyme magnet in a small Lego round piece and when it's in place underneath, the controller is powered on.

Yup, the Ecto-1 keyfob is a Lego piece with a magnet in it.

Then the magic begin:

Pictures don't do justice for the lighting sequence so here is a small video:

For those of you where Youtube cry for a copyright infringement (soundtrack to match the car....), here is one that work (it was an earlier version without the embedded electronique like on these photos:

If you have question, i'll be glad to answer them. Troll included.

[FactorXa]

C’est Magnifique!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude, I wonder what could you do for the LEGO 76023!!!! (The Tumbler)

[M600]

I own the Tumbler and I already put lights in it

8 LEDs

[FactorXa]

WOW, Do you have more pics??? I have one too and trying to improve it...I am buying the ecto-1 just because of you!!! ha ha ha

[M600]

Unfortunately no, the tumbler is modified using 3D printed bricks to fit a specific type of SMD LED (5630 if I remember correctly).

But modding the Tumbler is very easier. Using 3mm LED should do the trick and there's plenty place inside to hide everything ;)

[FactorXa]

Do you do modulars too?

[Smartiepants]

that is brilliant I may have some questions AFTER I have built the massive 5000+ HQ modular that I am slowly gathering parts for

[Zed_43]

What kind of LEDs and wires are you using for the Ecto-1? Does LEDs fits into bricks like cheese slopes? Is that SMD LEDs used with thin wire?

Edited April 22, 2015 by Zed_43

[M600]

FactorXa > Yes, but it will be presented once everything will be done.

Smartiepants > I was considering BLing the HQ too, gorgeous MOC!

Zed_43 > No bricks have been modified in any way so they must fit Lego bricks. Yes, they fit in those 1x1 Cheese Slopes and even 1x1 Round Plates. SMD LEDs in 0805 and 0603 size along with AWG 30 enamelled wire.

[flailx]

That. Is. Sick. Great work!

[karmajay]

Great job! I think you got the sequence just right as well!

[Solscud007]

Wow. I just bought a light kit from blinkylights. It cost $25 USD. It came with pre-drilled roof, 2x6 gray plate and 1x2 trans blue plate.

Edited April 28, 2015 by Solscud007

[AlphaT]

Wow, I'm blown away by this!!

I've just built the Ecto-1 and really want to replicate what you have done here. I think I have a basic understanding of the components you have used, but I have no experience with Arduino. What is the best way to start? Do you have any links to good sites?

[sandtrooper]

Very nice. The video really shows off your impressive work!

[Borex]

Awesome!!

[M600]

Awesome!!

Very nice. The video really shows off your impressive work!

Thank you! I appreciate your feedback.

Wow, I'm blown away by this!!

I've just built the Ecto-1 and really want to replicate what you have done here. I think I have a basic understanding of the components you have used, but I have no experience with Arduino. What is the best way to start? Do you have any links to good sites?

I personally started with a Sparkfun Inventor's kit which is composed of several parts and instructions on how to make them work (wiring and code).

It's quite pricey comparing to other kit you may find. Might be better alternative now, I bought mine years ago.

But something similar should do the trick and make you start with solid base for your own project

For the rest, it's mostly what you want to do that will make you learn more!

[NOITAIDAR]

Hey M600...

I love this! C'est super! I've been trying to find something like this for ages, but never been able to find a decent rotating beacon (or at least LEDs that can mimic it)

Any chance you'd consider selling kits to make it? I'm fairly good at soldering, the only thing I'd struggle at is programming the arduino board?

Looking forward to hearing back from you,

Cordiallement,

Adam

[B Rick]

Tres Magnefique!! Awesome mod on an already cool car.

[MasterAS2000]

Mind blown! good job

[Lord Tulkas]

This is one of the greatest things i have ever seen! Great work!!!

[zoomatomic]

this is Awesome!! Would you sell a pre programmed kit?

[M600]

Oops... The email notification land in the SPAM box, I didn't saw them earlier, sorry for that!

B Rick, MasterAS2000 & Lord Tulkas >

Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate them.

NOITAIDAR & zoomatomic >

Selling kit like that would be a nightmare. Both for me and the buyer.

It's easilly breakable and I don't want to be responsible for any damage (is it my fault or buyer's one? Did I provided malfunctional part or did he fried it?).

It depend heavily on the buyer's skills and I wouldn't be able to provide any support beside a programmed board, a wiring kit and a diagram.

In other word: no warranty of any sort.

For the question about the beacon, since the arduino can't do 2 things at the same time it's just a sequencial on/off of them arranged in a square that cycle fast so you trick your eyes to believe it's rotating.

Since sharing is caring, if someone is really (I mean REALLY) interested in this mod (and good at SMD soldering), I'm willing to help him build one (then he will help the next one and so on). I will provide BOM, Code & Diagram... But success will be on him. Can't blame me.

(He will have to buy everything needed before anything else. Help and discussions through Skype)

Hope this have answered your question (or broke your dream).

[zoomatomic]

Hi M600

I am REALLY interested in doing this, I'm ok with the soldering part and always love a good project. I have never used arduino kits which is where I would have to rely upon your expertise. If you don't wish to proceed I would appreciate your parts list and diagram and any source of information in regard to programming the arduino

Cheers

[legonerd54321]

I NEED a tutorial on this. And a link for the Ardunio board and LED.

Is there a way to put a speaker in there and have the siren go off?

[M600]

Before anything else, be aware that a knockoff exist and is much easier to install:

http://www.liteupblock.com/unlimitshop/product_info.php?products_id=193

Reviewed here:

I'm not sure my solution is better unless you want a perfect replica. It's both harder, time consuming and cost more. Still up?