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HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
- IAmOrion
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2017 8:29 pm
- Location: Cambridge, UK
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
As promised, here is a small how-to on the 'Phantom' Side Indicator clone I made.
Let's start with the BOM (Bill Of Materials):
WS2812 5050 LED Strip 60 leds/m 0.5m - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272910838998 --> £4.49 (This is enough to complete both lenses, I used 14 per side)
Arduino Nano x 2 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262677405087 --> £6.00
3 Pin JST x 2 (You can buy 4 pack for the same price of 2 individuals) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152282668196 --> £2.99
Some wire (I have loads kicking around so didn't buy any... you don't need much)
Total Cost: £13.48
Software:
'Arduino IDE' (Free) --> https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
I did also 3D Print myself 2 parts to help, but these aren't 'required', as I'm sure many could fashion their own holder of sorts and solder directly to the bulb socket if they wanted. Or I could provide the parts for a small material cost.
Wiring:
In the picture above, VIN and GND goto the 3D Printed W5W/T10 male plug to fit into the socket
5V goes to the positive of the LED strip, GND to the negative, and D3 (Digital Pin 3) goes to DIN or DI (Digital In) of the LED Strip. All connections to the LED Strip are via the 3 Pin JST connection. On my JST connectors, I used the RED wire as the 5v Positive, the WHITE wire as the GND and the GREEN middle pin as the DI/DIN pin.
How-To
First thing you need is a flat headed screwdriver or a metal spudger. I used this tool:
I then started at the locating tab and worked my way around the lens. Inset the edge of the spudger into the edge of the lens and you can lever the lens up. You will hear it crack and creak as you work your way around the lens
With minimal effort going all round the lens, the lens cover will separate and come off
Next, I took my 3D Printed part and wrapped the LEDs around like so
I then placed into the Lens...
I then proceeded to program the Arduino, and placed it also into the lens in the middle of the 3D Printed part
Next thing was to connect a 12v source and make sure the lens animated as intended.
NOTE: It is important to check your polarity especially when connecting to the car indicator plug. If you connect the +ve and -ve the wrong way round you're likely to destroy the ardunio
Once happy, you can now glue the lens back together and fit
Additional Information
A few things to note. Depending on the brand / quality of the LED strip, when they first power up they *may* flash white. One may flash or the whole strip will, it's hard to know for sure the behaviour. This is "normal" as for a split second, the Addressable LEDs do not know their state (eg, on or off) and will default to one or the other at random.
The Arduino has a bootloader in order to make it easier to write your programs to the board. This means there is roughly a 1 second delay. To overcome this you would need to build an Arduino ISP and upload the sketch via the ISP Programmer. What that does, is it over writes the bootloader (effectively removing it) and makes the code start instantly. This of course would incur an additional cost of about £7 plus the skills to build the ISP circuit. (For more information, see here: http://glumb.de/en/arduino-as-isp-to-ch ... bootloader - includes diagram to build your own)
On that note... should anyone wish, I'm more than happy to offer an exchange service as such... you send me an arduino nano, I'll send it back flashed without the code, without a bootloader.
Files
3D Printed Lens Mount: http://download.myz4.co.uk/download/961 ... d1fcc.html
3D Printed W5W/T10 Male Socket: http://download.myz4.co.uk/download/a2f ... 0e783.html
Arduino Code: http://download.myz4.co.uk/download/3eb ... df9d8.html
Any questions get in touch.
** Download Links updated 14th April 2019 **
Let's start with the BOM (Bill Of Materials):
WS2812 5050 LED Strip 60 leds/m 0.5m - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272910838998 --> £4.49 (This is enough to complete both lenses, I used 14 per side)
Arduino Nano x 2 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262677405087 --> £6.00
3 Pin JST x 2 (You can buy 4 pack for the same price of 2 individuals) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152282668196 --> £2.99
Some wire (I have loads kicking around so didn't buy any... you don't need much)
Total Cost: £13.48
Software:
'Arduino IDE' (Free) --> https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
I did also 3D Print myself 2 parts to help, but these aren't 'required', as I'm sure many could fashion their own holder of sorts and solder directly to the bulb socket if they wanted. Or I could provide the parts for a small material cost.
Wiring:
In the picture above, VIN and GND goto the 3D Printed W5W/T10 male plug to fit into the socket
5V goes to the positive of the LED strip, GND to the negative, and D3 (Digital Pin 3) goes to DIN or DI (Digital In) of the LED Strip. All connections to the LED Strip are via the 3 Pin JST connection. On my JST connectors, I used the RED wire as the 5v Positive, the WHITE wire as the GND and the GREEN middle pin as the DI/DIN pin.
How-To
First thing you need is a flat headed screwdriver or a metal spudger. I used this tool:
I then started at the locating tab and worked my way around the lens. Inset the edge of the spudger into the edge of the lens and you can lever the lens up. You will hear it crack and creak as you work your way around the lens
With minimal effort going all round the lens, the lens cover will separate and come off
Next, I took my 3D Printed part and wrapped the LEDs around like so
I then placed into the Lens...
I then proceeded to program the Arduino, and placed it also into the lens in the middle of the 3D Printed part
Next thing was to connect a 12v source and make sure the lens animated as intended.
NOTE: It is important to check your polarity especially when connecting to the car indicator plug. If you connect the +ve and -ve the wrong way round you're likely to destroy the ardunio
Once happy, you can now glue the lens back together and fit
Additional Information
A few things to note. Depending on the brand / quality of the LED strip, when they first power up they *may* flash white. One may flash or the whole strip will, it's hard to know for sure the behaviour. This is "normal" as for a split second, the Addressable LEDs do not know their state (eg, on or off) and will default to one or the other at random.
The Arduino has a bootloader in order to make it easier to write your programs to the board. This means there is roughly a 1 second delay. To overcome this you would need to build an Arduino ISP and upload the sketch via the ISP Programmer. What that does, is it over writes the bootloader (effectively removing it) and makes the code start instantly. This of course would incur an additional cost of about £7 plus the skills to build the ISP circuit. (For more information, see here: http://glumb.de/en/arduino-as-isp-to-ch ... bootloader - includes diagram to build your own)
On that note... should anyone wish, I'm more than happy to offer an exchange service as such... you send me an arduino nano, I'll send it back flashed without the code, without a bootloader.
Files
3D Printed Lens Mount: http://download.myz4.co.uk/download/961 ... d1fcc.html
3D Printed W5W/T10 Male Socket: http://download.myz4.co.uk/download/a2f ... 0e783.html
Arduino Code: http://download.myz4.co.uk/download/3eb ... df9d8.html
Any questions get in touch.
** Download Links updated 14th April 2019 **
Last edited by IAmOrion on Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:42 pm, edited 3 times in total.
NO LONGER OWN A Z4 SO NOT AS ACTIVE HERE ANYMORE (IF AT ALL).
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- Ducklakeview
- Lifer
- Posts: 6362
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:08 pm
- Location: Merseyside
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
Cracking write up! I may just attempt this when I get a min..
Mike
Mike
- IAmOrion
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2017 8:29 pm
- Location: Cambridge, UK
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
ThanksDucklakeview wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:40 pm Cracking write up! I may just attempt this when I get a min..
Mike
If you get stuck or need any help / info just give me a shout
NO LONGER OWN A Z4 SO NOT AS ACTIVE HERE ANYMORE (IF AT ALL).
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
- Ducklakeview
- Lifer
- Posts: 6362
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:08 pm
- Location: Merseyside
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
Did you use the 30 or 60 LEDS/M? I'm guessing 30? Waterproof or not?IAmOrion wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:42 pmThanksDucklakeview wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:40 pm Cracking write up! I may just attempt this when I get a min..
Mike
If you get stuck or need any help / info just give me a shout
Can they be sourced in orange for those of us that have clear side indicators?
Mike
EDIT - Ignore, I presume the colour refers to the backing strip, as the LED colour is controlled by the Arduino..
- IAmOrion
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2017 8:29 pm
- Location: Cambridge, UK
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
60 leds/m non waterproof - simply because when the unit is resealed it should be waterproof anyways.Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2017 11:00 pm Did you use the 30 or 60 LEDS/M? I'm guessing 30? Waterproof or not?
Can they be sourced in orange for those of us that have clear side indicators?
Mike
EDIT - Ignore, I presume the colour refers to the backing strip, as the LED colour is controlled by the Arduino..
Colour is background and a matter of preference really. I’m awaiting some white pla so I can print the lens part in white and try with white background leds as I think it’ll look better
Correct, led colour is controlled by the arduino
NO LONGER OWN A Z4 SO NOT AS ACTIVE HERE ANYMORE (IF AT ALL).
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 9529
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
Stop biting your nails
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
- IAmOrion
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2017 8:29 pm
- Location: Cambridge, UK
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
NO LONGER OWN A Z4 SO NOT AS ACTIVE HERE ANYMORE (IF AT ALL).
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 9529
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
My son used to bite his back like yours, he's stopped now and his hands look so much better. You need will power
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 5277
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
- Location: NW London
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
I've got a set of white backed and black backed orange LED strip to try. I'm just going for on and off replication, nothing fancy.Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2017 11:00 pmCan they be sourced in orange for those of us that have clear side indicators?
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.
- IAmOrion
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- Joined: Mon May 22, 2017 8:29 pm
- Location: Cambridge, UK
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
That would be super easy! The only reason for the arduino is to give the animation to the led stripScooba_Steve wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2017 11:44 pm I've got a set of white backed and black backed orange LED strip to try. I'm just going for on and off replication, nothing fancy.
NO LONGER OWN A Z4 SO NOT AS ACTIVE HERE ANYMORE (IF AT ALL).
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
- thecremeegg
- Member
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- Location: North Hampshire
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
Nice one! How much to 3d print me the bits you used as I don't have access to a 3d printer and they look great?
- IAmOrion
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Mon May 22, 2017 8:29 pm
- Location: Cambridge, UK
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
They’re printed with low infill so I’d say £10 including postagethecremeegg wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:16 am Nice one! How much to 3d print me the bits you used as I don't have access to a 3d printer and they look great?
NO LONGER OWN A Z4 SO NOT AS ACTIVE HERE ANYMORE (IF AT ALL).
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
- 85genius
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:20 pm
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
That is properly awesome work!!
Audi quattro driver
NOW SOLD - Ruby Black 3.0 SI Roadster
Previous - E85 2.5 Ti Silver - See avatar photo - R.I.P Destroyed by a Tranny
NOW SOLD - Ruby Black 3.0 SI Roadster
Previous - E85 2.5 Ti Silver - See avatar photo - R.I.P Destroyed by a Tranny
- IAmOrion
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2017 8:29 pm
- Location: Cambridge, UK
HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
NO LONGER OWN A Z4 SO NOT AS ACTIVE HERE ANYMORE (IF AT ALL).
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
I STILL OFFER FREE CARLY CODING & EWS KEY/TRANSPONDER CODING AT MY HOME
IN CAMBRIDGE CB22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Z4DIYCustomMods/
- Magicarcher
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HOW-TO: DIY "Phantom" Side Indicator.
Don't want to be a killjoy, because I love what you have done and Audi indicators are my favourite. but what is the legal/MOT/Insurance implications.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.