Pinewood Derby Car with LEDs and Jimmy Neutron

Step 3 Software

The PWM software that does the magic is running on a single Kemper LED board. Instead of using the standard firmware that comes with the board I replaced it with some custom code. The custom code just simply makes all the LEDs come to life automatically right after power is applied.

Attached is all the source code needed to reproduce the LEDs.

If I had more time I would have built some delays into the code. Instead, the LEDs just ramp on & off at different rates. It would not take too much more effort to add those delays between each pulse.

We also made our own stickers this year with Inkscape. Here is a tip, spray some clear-coat over the stickers before you start cutting them out. The sticker tend to smear with oily fingers. Still, the stickers didn't turn out too bad.

I hope this helps inspire my fellow EEs who want to show the gear-heads a thing, or two,
Jim

PS: As always, I'll port some more detailed info on my web site. Have a look at ph-elec.com for more info.