RGB LED Vehicle Lighting Project - Newbie?!!

machineage

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 6, 2007
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My first post! Hope I'm in the right place here folks?!
I need some advice or pointing in the right direction..

I am looking to create an interior RGB roof mounted lighting system for a vehicle. The vehicle has a removable rear cabin and a fixed front cabin - both made from grp composite. The interior roof lining will consist appox 20 - 25mm depth fire retardent foam covered with non woven headlining. My intention was to have a single opal perspex panel surface mounted with the headlining running on the centre-line from the front to the rear of the vehicles cabin - I dunno probably 50mm wide? Or possibly several individual shaped panels on the centre line instead... This will give a depth of some 20mm behind the perspex panel to the grp structure.

I wanted a self contained controller (with remote if poss) to operate the LEDS and came across this common anode controller which looks to have what I want ie instant static colors - 0 to 100% dimming and built color changing patterns - cool!
http://www.dotlight.de/shop/product_info.php/cPath/263_266/products_id/828?osCsid=2027643bedba95eb74125e5f611d9b63

Now then here come the newbie questions!:sweat:

I have been looking at some RGB 3 watt LEDS and initially thought say 5 for the rear cabin and 2 for the front cabin. I found these on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/High-brightness-1-pcs-3W-RGB-luxeon-full-color-LED_W0QQitemZ230088292893QQihZ013QQcategoryZ26207QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I am not sure if this would be overkill? It would be nice to have a bright but controllable lighting system. I am aware they will require heatsinking. Flat surface area is not a problem so a large flat alu plate would be feasible - albeit somewhat insulated via the grp structure and foam lining!

Or would I be better to go for some RGB modules like these:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=697#

I will need advice on how to connect these up. I will use a regulator to give a steady 12v supply to teh controller. To further complicate matters the rear cabin can be removed leaving just the front LEDs connected.

Any initial thoughts? Should I get my coat?

Thanks!

C.
 
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