OpenLight is an OpenSource alternative to the copyrighted UniLight. So feel free to mod / share / whatever you like.
#update 05.02.2026
Uploaded a schematic - not proud of it but better than nothing. Pay attention, if you use a different Arduino, that your PINs must maybe adapted. I am almost sure that not all Arduinos Pin 9 is a PWM pin. Maybe it is, check that! Also with the Output bin. If you Arduino has more then 1 Output Pin with the same number, just try the other one. Nothing should happen if you connect it to the wrong one. Test it wih a normal LED before you flashbang a 200W LED...
Hope you enjoy the project as I do and feel free to use it for whatever you wanna control on your RC Car / Plane / Boat / submarine / UFO .....
#update 17.05.2024:
Uploaded a new INO especially for WS2812 LED strips/Plates with super easy to configure large number LED strips/plates. You no longer have to write EACH Led per line! NO, now tell your max number and ALL LEDs are lighting /turn off with 1 single line of code! Also included a random pattern, with random coloring as example! Try it, it is in the file: OpenLight_DM4DS_v1_64er_RND_-Channel_PMW_WS2812_flash_v2.ino
#update 20.nov.2013: Now OpenLight supports WS2812 programmable LEDs! Thanks to AdaFruit for the library.
If you have questions, please first look into the code. Most lines are commented. If you still have questions, feal free to ask!
What to do:
- Update the parts list
- Schematics but it should be fine while it is commented in the INO file already (scroll down there is one and I am not proud)
- Update the 3D files for different usecases
- look over everything and update (partly done especially for high LED number WS2812 strips/plates)
- no idea
- something
Done:
- implement WS2812 programmable LED code. What a fun to play with them...
- optimized for WS2812 high number strips or plates! USE the RND v2 version and you will see it in the code
One of my non-ws2812 actuall setups:
- Arduino Micro 5V ( https://amzn.to/3rs5dHM )
- StepUp for my 33V LEDs from 3-6S usage ( https://amzn.to/3PStbVL - 250W ) (https://amzn.to/3Rz43oo -30W )
- MosFET Board ( https://amzn.to/3PUwV9A ) - to handle the watts and switch straight from the arduino output!
- XT60 input for the 3-6S power ( https://amzn.to/3ZEPVfl )
- XT30 ( https://amzn.to/465O8m1 ) output to the LED (30W - 33V 18x26mm ion my case but have not found a EU-Link :( )
- 30W are bright!
The LEDs are getting fast/really hot, if you turn them on for too long. For a "blink" they don´t need to stay on for 250ms! Mine are only 10ms on, that is enough to light them up and immideatly cool the down during wait for the next 10ms blink! So I don´t need extra heatsinks under the 30W LEDs!
WS2812 setup:
- Arduino Micro 5V ( https://amzn.to/3rs5dHM )
- WS2812D IP67 LEDs ( https://amzn.to/3GaOLPT )
- to provide the "power" for the LEDs I use a stepDown to 5V - so my RX is not perma under load. ( https://amzn.to/3syo58B )
- as power connectors as always XT30/60
- the WS2812 had it´s own connector, maybe you need one for yours, so keep an eye on that
Have fun testing/modifying. Maybe you are able to post a video and link it to me or in the RC-Network Thread: https://www.rc-network.de/threads/openlight-unilight-in-eigenbau.11972603/
All the best - stay safe - stay healthy DM4DS - Sandor
I do have a cold, voice is coming back slowly and my Samsung S8+ is not "fast enough" to capture the 10ms blink of the LED with its immens brightnes... Try do make a better video, mabye as project video on youtube, so follow on @youtube, you don´t miss it.
OpenLight_ws2812d_flash_special.mp4
OpenLight_ws2812d_v1.mp4
V2_30W_LED_DM4DS_v1.mp4
Please forgive me, but I am no Artist who loves to make Schematics:
