Front Logic Display

Front Logic Display (back to R2 page)

Below is a step by step documentaion of the construction of my front logic displays. Following the same method I used for the rear logic displays (but this time hopefully learning from my previous misakes).I'm using the same PIC flasher kit that I used on the rear. I might have the settings on the DIP switch set slightly different so that the speeds don't look identical. Mike M showed me that ebay has great prices on the 3mm blue and white LEDs. I went a slightly different route by using the frosted LEDs. These aren't crystal clear like most ultrabrights. They are diffuse, which is what I want.

For a version of this page with larger pictures (click here) . . . For the video (click here)

This is my layout for the front logic displays. The separation of each output is shown along with the wire route. I did the wire thing not so much to figure which goes next, but more so to allow for longer wires on some runs between certain LEDs. This way the wires won't be quite as tight.

I think a bit of variance in color will add to the appearence of the piece, so I have shown 4 Aqua colored LEDs. I just got these in the mail. Testing them, they seem much more green then I thought they would.It remains to be seen how they will look next to the blues and greens when flashing/fading on and off.

These are the LEDs for output No# 1.I've marked the blues with a band of blue ink around the base so I can tell which one is which if the get messed up. When I lay them out in order, I first cut the short lead (the cathode) to about 5/16ths of an inch. I then solder on all the wires. You can see the wire length varience as per the layout diagram. I added about 1 inch to the distance shown on the spacing diagram. And made the last strands a bit longer then the first.

After soldering on the wires, and shrinking the heat shrink tubing in place, I cut the anode leads to the short length.

This is strand one with the wires all soldered and the heat shrink in place.

Here's th first strand test lit. The one aqua LED really looks green by comparison. I'm having second thoughts about including four of them.

Here's the first strand installed and lit up. The LEDs are so washed out in this pict that its hard to tell there are blues and aquas in there.

The power source I'm running the LEDs on to test them is 30 volts (the same one I run my rears on). I'm going to play with turning down the voltage a bit because I don't want the LEDs to be so bright that they look like headlights.

I won't mess with it much until I see how it looks with the PIC circuit running it. The way the PIC flasher fades the LEDs might make them dim enough that I don't have to worry about them being too bright.

Here is what it looks like from behind. Thrilling, I know..

This is the strand of LEDs for output 2.

Here is the second strand test lit. Again the lighting is such that its hard to notice the colors.

This shows the second strand of LEDs installed.

Here it is with all the LED strands installed and running on the PIC flasher.

Putting in all the strands was MUCH easier this time due to the progressively longer wires on each output. Its still something that you might curse at as you try to get the LEDs where you want them. The worst ones seem to be the 6th and 7th strand. Trying to find the right hole in a forest of wires. The 8th is easy because the only holes left are the ones you need to put LEDs in, and you're nearly done so it seems to be easier.

The colors are a bit washed out in the picture due to them being a light source. Sitting in front of it the colors are really deep. My only concern now is that it might be too bright in dim lighting situations. I have no fear of it being visible in direct sunlight, I can see it fine with the sun light beaming in directly on it.

Now I have to get busy on the rest of my dome.