@MrSalts

I do not like the way you edited my quote.

You make it seem like I was advocating something to the OP rather than debating the merits of each option with "other" members.

 

Another option would be APA102 LEDs. Similar to WS2812, but different enough to make them worth looking in to.
They could be run from a MCP2210 USB to SPI converter from your PC instead of a separate Arduino or other micro. They don't have the timing restrictions of the WS2812 (normally not an issue unless you want to space them out relatively far apart). It will add one wire, and they are a touch more expensive than the WS2812.

 

This seems a perpetual debate. I will just add a point and leave it at that:

Many times the TS is no more skilled at executing the discrete solution than the MCU solution so the learning curve question is different. It’s not this case I don’t own a car, but I do own a motorcycle (for example).

When someone asks for pasta dinner ideas that don't use tomato sauces, would you answer "spaghetti and meatballs, you just need to add tomato sauce". Or, would you say, "it seems to be a perpetual debate, whether or not to use tomato sauces when OPs say they don't want to use to tomato sauces".

 

How can an Arduino/microcontroller-based solution be "better" if it doesn't meet the specification?

Arduino and microcontroller are nor the same thing. My suggestion did not use an Arduino.

Bob

 

Arduino and microcontroller are nor the same thing. My suggestion did not use an Arduino.

Bob

Arduino and microcontroller may be the same thing - it really depends on how the bins are defined by the person setting the specification. If the OP said "Arduino" and meant "anything he has to program" - then they are the same thing.

if, as one bin example, he said "Arduino" and meant any discrete components thst I don't have to program or any microcontroller that is more difficult to setup and program than an Arduino - then you'd be right.

 

When someone asks for pasta dinner ideas that don't use tomato sauces, would you answer "spaghetti and meatballs, you just need to add tomato sauce". Or, would you say, "it seems to be a perpetual debate, whether or not to use tomato sauces when OPs say they don't want to use to tomato sauces".

If someone said he needed a means of hauing 1 ton of cargo, and that it cannot be a Ford F150 then would suggesting a RAM 1500 be wrong? I think that is more analogous.

Bob

 

If someone said he needed a means of hauing 1 ton of cargo, and that it cannot be a Ford F150 then would suggesting a RAM 1500 be wrong? I think that is more analogous.

Bob

It doesn't matter what we think - it matters what the person setting the specification needs or wants.

 

I think learning to program a micro from scratch is not as easy as some imply.

 

But we don’t know if that is the reason for no Arduino.

Bob

 

But we don’t know if that is the reason for no Arduino.

Bob

Maybe he could use a satellite link to a dish connected to a laptop that controls a laser to an photo diode linked to an RS232 chip that modulates the addressable LED strip.

 

Hi,
Thread re-Opened as requested by the TS.

Please stay on the TS's topic.

Moderation

 

Hello again

In would like to describe a little bit what I intend to do.
It is about a car tail light (rear light), I want to make it act sequential at turn signal.
I can't use led strips, the leds are already there...each at their corresponding place, all I want to do is to made a new circuit for the existing leds.

 

Notice how far off the thread went when you did not give that information up front. Perhaps next time you will tell us what you are actually trying to do right away.

While you are at it, why no Arduino, and does that mean no other microcontroller as well?

Bob

 

It is illegal to modify car signal lights in many countries because the color, brightness and beam width must be correct.
New cars are certified to have correct signal lighting.

Your car was probably designed and certified to have correct brightness with all the LEDs turning on at the same time.
Your sequential idea will have not enough brightness at the beginning which will probably cause an accident.

Two days ago there was a "car meet" in a nearby city. The police confiscated many cars with modified signal lighting, over-tinted windows and signal lighting, too loud exhaust and no pollution controls. Some cars were too low and scraped the road bumps.
One car had blue lights because the owner did not know that blue indicates a snow plow.

 

@BobTPH I want the cheapest solution, I don't want to involve arduino or other mcu. It is only one simple task and would be great if I can do it without mcu.

@Audioguru again It is almost legal in my country, the led will blink fast so the idea of an accident is not to be taken into account.
Anyway...thank you all for the answers, this thread can be closed now.