Lego 21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1 - Fully enlightened

[zoomatomic]

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

http://www.liteupblo...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?

Your design is much better designed, I particularly like the "flashing" roof beacon effect and the clean design. I would also prefer to use a battery instead of usb,

Do you get your SMD LED's on ebay or do you have a preferred supplier?

Look forward to get this started.

[M600]

This is an exhaustive list of what is used inside the build plus a buying link:

7x White LED SMD 0805 (Bulk per 20pcs) http://www.ebay.fr/i...D-/121149286430

21x Blue LED SMD 0805 (Bulk per 20pcs) http://www.ebay.fr/i...D-/121149286072

1x Arduino Pro Mini 328 (5v) http://www.ebay.fr/i...A-/311437193162

1x Li-Po Battery 850mAh (That's what I used, search for other option if you want) https://www.sparkfun.com/products/341

Male Header (Bulk sale, 16 pin used) http://www.ebay.fr/i...o-/121508355410

Female Header (Bulk sale, 16 pin used) http://www.ebay.fr/i...F-/261621511399

Prototype board (Bulk sale, Smaller size will be cutted) http://www.ebay.fr/i...p-/151580931990

Enameled Wire 0.1mm (No metering to supply, will be enough) http://www.ebay.fr/i...l-/121648064031

Aside from that, you will need that:

1x FTDI Module (to program the Arduino) http://www.ebay.fr/i...o-/321875438143

A good soldering Iron

Soldering lead (the tinner the better, 0.2 is good)

Soldering flux (ease the tinning) http://www.ebay.fr/i...7-/321872991745

Double sided tape

A hot glue gun (securing the very small connexion on the roof connector)

If you're still up to this, buy what's needed. Supply a photo of everything and I'll gladly tell you the rest of the story.

[zoomatomic]

Thanks for the list, I will start hunting now

[zoomatomic]

This is an exhaustive list of what is used inside the build plus a buying link:

7x White LED SMD 0805 (Bulk per 20pcs) http://www.ebay.fr/i...D-/121149286430

21x Blue LED SMD 0805 (Bulk per 20pcs) http://www.ebay.fr/i...D-/121149286072

1x Arduino Pro Mini 328 (5v) http://www.ebay.fr/i...A-/311437193162

1x Li-Po Battery 850mAh (That's what I used, search for other option if you want) https://www.sparkfun.com/products/341

Male Header (Bulk sale, 16 pin used) http://www.ebay.fr/i...o-/121508355410

Female Header (Bulk sale, 16 pin used) http://www.ebay.fr/i...F-/261621511399

Prototype board (Bulk sale, Smaller size will be cutted) http://www.ebay.fr/i...p-/151580931990

Enameled Wire 0.1mm (No metering to supply, will be enough) http://www.ebay.fr/i...l-/121648064031

Aside from that, you will need that:

1x FTDI Module (to program the Arduino) http://www.ebay.fr/i...o-/321875438143

A good soldering Iron

Soldering lead (the tinner the better, 0.2 is good)

Soldering flux (ease the tinning) http://www.ebay.fr/i...7-/321872991745

Double sided tape

A hot glue gun (securing the very small connexion on the roof connector)

If you're still up to this, buy what's needed. Supply a photo of everything and I'll gladly tell you the rest of the story.

I have all the components now ordered, few questions.

1. What charger do you use for the battery?

2. Is a glue gun necessary or would gorilla glue suffice?

Thanks

[M600]

I use a charger like this one: http://www.ebay.fr/itm/5V-Mini-USB-1A-Lithium-Battery-Charging-Lipo-Charger-Module-for-Arduino-A866-YG-/141408980280 solder wire to the terminate and the other end with male header. That do the trick perfectly.

The glue gun can be replaced with whatever you want, it's not mandatory and it's only used to protect the tiny solder point on the prototype board. You can even don't put anything at all. It's just peace of mind.

[zoomatomic]

Just have to wait for the kit to be delivered now.

Thanks

[zoomatomic]

First part has arrived.

https://goo.gl/photos/igwDvHh3fsfmKEuw7

[M600]

The only one from US made his way

[zoomatomic]

Received first component from China.

[M600]

If you have received the wire and LED, you might want to start practice soldering them, you'll see that it's tricky

[zoomatomic]

Just have the breadboard at the moment, always look forward to a challenge

[xtremeteamuk]

This is by far the best thing ive seen in a long time. amazing job you have done. i really need this on mine

[zoomatomic]

Hi M600

What type of reed sensor and magnet are you using?

Still waiting for several China deliveries :)

[M600]

xtremeteamuk > Thanks for the kind words

zoomatomic > I use a cell that I had laying around which is similar to this: http://www.ebay.fr/itm/LF-Reed-sensor-module-magnetron-module-reed-switch-MagSwitch-For-Arduino-/161841073403 but without the PCB. This one is made to smooth out the sensibility. Maybe you can desoldering it from the PCB.

For the magnet, it's a 5mm per 3mm cylinder neodyme magnet pushed in force in the Lego cylinder: http://www.ebay.fr/itm/New-10x-Neodymium-Disc-Super-Strong-Rare-Earth-Fridge-Magnet-5x3mm-/111416274850

[ChrisFTB]

Thanks for your images, video and new wanthave :)

I am very interested to do this to my Ecto1, too.

I already ordered the LEDs.

May I ask for the schematics? Did you use an additional circuit or are all LEDs wired to the arduino?

Thank you so much!

Chris

[camilojefe]

This is awesome, I will order all of the components from the list and try to do it myself. Do you control that by android mobile phone or computer only?

Ps. I have never soldered in my life so it won't be easy. :)

[M600]

Hi,

All the LEDs are wired up directly to the board, no additional circuit or component. Since it's a display unit that won't be powered on for a long period of time and because there's no room inside, it's just the board, the wire and LEDs.

Thu there's no schematics (I didn't made one tbh) but my code say;

#define Blue_Flasher_Side 3

#define Strobe_1 2

#define Strobe_2 4

#define Red_Flasher 5

#define gyrophare_array 4

const int gyrophare[] = { 6, 7, 8, 9 };

#define Blue_Flasher_1 10

#define Blue_Flasher_2 11

#define Headlights = 12;

#define Stoplights = 13;

There's no external control, everything is embedded in the Arduino. Once again, it's not the average soldering work, it's very tiny. Not impossible but you need a steady hand and patience!

[zoomatomic]

Hi M600

I now have all items, going to start soldering LED's in next couple of weeks (busy with work) . Do you have a drawing of wiring, which leds are joined etc?

Thanks

[lingham]

Hi M600 I have recruited my electrician mate to achieve this for me so is buying all parts required.

As above do you have a drawing of the wiring and stuff so I can get everything to him to complete it?

[lingham]

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

http://www.liteupblo...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?

Hi,

Having looked at the price differences. It will cost me (in the UK) around £20 to get all these parts and those cheaper versions (and in my opinion not as good) will cost £5 more.

I haven't budgeted for soldering equipment as my friend is supplying this as well as the glue gun but I think this will produce a much higher quality finish

[dreddbatfan]

I'm American and in a wheelchair from Rhuematoid Arthritis and on a fixed income and I was wondering if you could make this kit for my Lego Ecto-1?This kit is exactly what I've been looking for my Ecto-1 and any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated.Thanks for a great lighting kit and I hope to hear from you soon.

[NOITAIDAR]

Hi M600,

I've just ordered all the components... very surprised at how cheaply I can get them.

Can I just ask... don't we need resistors for the LEDs? or is the resistance handled by the Arduino?

Cheers,

Adam

[zoomatomic]

sorry been very busy with work and I am way behind on lots of projects at the moment. you were correct about the soldering, very difficult but worth it. do you have any diagram as to what lights link etc.?

[NOITAIDAR]

Hey M600, parts are starting to arrive... had to wait until after the Chinese New Year for delivery...

Are you still able to offer assistance with the arduino code, and circuit instructions, please?

[dreddbatfan]

Hi M600,I have all the parts that you listed and a friend that's going to do the soldering and assembly for me.Could you please give me the sequence for the lights and instructions on how to hook everything up.Thanks for your help and we all hope to hear from you soon.

dreddbatfan