LED lighting

["Dave McLaughlin" <dave@xxxxxxx>]

I was intrigued by Andy's LED lighting in the kitchen I have thought about
doing something similar since SWMBO has been asking about putting strip
lights (yuck) back in again since we had the kitchen partly refitted. LED
lighting sounds like a better idea.

My thinking is to come up with a more techy approach and thought I might
fire a few ideas your way to see what you guys thought about it.

My idea is to build a small microcontroller interface to vary the
brightness
of the LED's via PWM control. The keys for the controller would be based on
the Qprox touch sensors such that the controls could be hidden behind a
panel or wall plate etc. Maybe even possible to have it inserted as part of
the actual work surface? Multiple outputs would be provided to control
different light bars at different brightness levels and to distribute the
power more for the switching device in question.

I have started to build a controller board for this which will test the
brightness control via PWM. Adding the key control is easy and would be
done
later. The idea right now is to build a prototype light bar and controller
and test it out. My idea for the light bar was a strip of hard wood with a
slot along the top for the wiring and the LED's fitted into drilled holes
along the length. Just an idea, as this would save me having to drill into
the existing cabinets.

Anyone else think this is a good idea and maybe have some thought into it?

The idea is to make it low cost as possible and I may even offer it as a
suitable project for sale if it works out well. The proof of the pudding is
making it SWMBO friendly and give a good light over the work surface that
she finds acceptable.

Regards
Dave...

---
Very funny Scotty, now beam down my clothes!!!
---

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.530 / Virus Database: 325 - Release Date: 22/10/2003