Lego 21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1 - Fully enlightened

[M600]

If you already programmed your arduino board, that mean you don't need a FTDI module. It's a tiny device that allow use to program Arduino that don't have USB port.

The PCB board is just a self made connector, nothing special. I just wanted to have a way to disconnect the roof from the rest.

[drake_mallard]

This is my first posting here... I've been a big fan of Ghostbusters and an even bigger fan of Lego when I was a child and I am currently re-discovering both passions.

It is a real impressive build you have done and an inspiration to try and learn new skills. - As of now I neither know how to solder (but I've got a mother who does!) nor can I program, but boy I have to have this! 

The starting sequence is really nice to build anticipation, especially with the original music and siren coming in - which makes me think, wouldn't it be great to have that audio actually playing from the car?? 
Furgalladas has done something like I have in mind: http://furgalladas.com/blog/?p=468 but he doesn't give any instructions..

The flickering front lights when the "engine starts" is a real nice touch and shows an unbelievable attention to detail!  I just think the rear lights should also flicker like the ones in front.. Surely the same sequence can easily applied to them as well?

Could you imagine having another "mode" without the starting sequence, so that after the head and rear lights go on, the rest of the signal lights start "turning" and blinking immediately without starting up static at first (is this understandable?)?
Like that it would be more accurately like the movie (see: https://goo.gl/9TkrGN)  

That scene also gets me some ideas for "animating" the headquarters Lego set... but that's something for another post. ;-)

 

I'm looking forward to hear what you think about my ideas. Again thanks a lot for posting this originally, it is a joy to look at! Maybe someday I can call one my own. 

Best, Drake

[M600]

Hello,

Adding builtin music "could" be done but the place within the model is very small and fitting the smallest arduino + battery I had was already a challenge. Nonetheless it is possible, but I didn't even had audio board at the time.

Yes, the code can be modified to also flicker the (add PIN_TAILLIGHTS to this loop: https://github.com/m600x/Ecto1/blob/master/main.ino#L22 ).

Same apply for the start sequence skipping (Delete from 29 to 45 https://github.com/m600x/Ecto1/blob/master/main.ino#L29 ). You can also add a switch to determine if these instructions should be done or not.

[drake_mallard]

Thank you very much for your helpful answer! I'll soon try my luck at realizing this and will get back to this post with my results (or more likely: with more questions...) 

[SalientAnimal]

I abandoned this project for a while as unfortunately life happened.  I'm trying to figure out what is happening with the wiring in the roof?  How are each of the roof lights connected to the board, as it appears as if the wires are touching each other in the images.