GRJ's Original DIY Constant Current PAX Car Lighting Module Files

I would like to mention how well this board works.  To date, I have built and installed 30 of these modules with no failures.  Further, I would emphasize(as recorded in Rod’s user notes) that a simple increase in value of R2(brightness adjustment) to say, 500 up to 1000, will allow for dimming the lighting even more, for those who prefer that effect.  For my taste, 500 was the preferred value.

Rod, thanks for this valuable thread.  And thanks to GRJ for creating the package in the first place.

where can I order the parts n boards specifically   ? sincerely thanks ! Alan

The pcb can be ordered here(in sets of three)from Osh Park:  DIY-GRJ-JWA Passenger car lighting PCB  I don’t have an off shore link for the pcb, but others do.  You will need to set up an account to order, but once on this site that will be straight forward.  I ordered my parts from Digikey searched individually then add them to your cart.  Of course you may select any other distributor of your choice, including off shore sources.

TedW, thanks for the Osh Park link.  

Due to the freely given advice from GRJ, Rod Stewart and others, I decided to go ahead and attempt this PCB build, even though a total novice at electronics.

My question is regarding the Voltage Regulator (LM317TG) - it arrived from Digikey in a foil bag with conspicuous warnings about harm to the component from static electricity. What do you fellow forum members do in this case? Antistatic mats and/or spray? Wear a grounding device? Not wanting to invest a whole lot in antistatic measures, may  I just ignore the warnings and go ahead? Would everything still work?

Many thanks for the help. 

Glad to see you are giving one of these projects a try, hope all goes well and you find it enjoyable.

I don't know about the others, but I have never taken any special precautions. I do just as you suggest, ignore the warnings and go full speed ahead. I have worked on many computers over the years, dabbled with electronics and other stuff and never zapped anything. Well that is  from just handling something anyway. (Improper connections, wrong voltages, etc. are another story...)

However, if you are working on carpet or something that can easily generate static, that could be a bit different. If you often get zapped when you touch something in your work area, then some precautions might be justified. Wrist grounding strap or something like that. 

Thanks RTR12 - what you say is reassuring. My little work space is in the basement, concrete floor. Maybe bare feet on the floor and the occasional touch to the copper water pipe next to the table is plenty.

Bob "O" posted:

Due to the freely given advice from GRJ, Rod Stewart and others, I decided to go ahead and attempt this PCB build, even though a total novice at electronics.

My question is regarding the Voltage Regulator (LM317TG) - it arrived from Digikey in a foil bag with conspicuous warnings about harm to the component from static electricity. What do you fellow forum members do in this case? Antistatic mats and/or spray? Wear a grounding device? Not wanting to invest a whole lot in antistatic measures, may  I just ignore the warnings and go ahead? Would everything still work?

Many thanks for the help. 

Those regulators are practically bulletproof, no worries.  I've used hundreds of them (actually thousands), and I don't do any special handling.  Digikey ships stuff like connectors in similar bags at times, and I'm sure they're not static sensitive!

Thanks, GRJ!

I have to leave my shoes and socks on or my feet get cold on the concrete floor! And we have only Pex for plumbing too, so no pipes worth touching for ground either. As GRJ says above, you should be fine with the LM317s and still be able to keep your feet warm! 

@Rod Stewart posted:

I took the liberty of moving grj's original files for this project over to a new topic just to make them easier to find. The original topic started in late 2016 and is some 7 pages long; these files are found on page 5.

The only thing I have added to this is my user notes in Word format as an attachment. The gerber zip file is also attached below. I want to emphasize that grj is the sole creator of this circuit and these original files! 

 

Can I substitute the item below for C1? Digi-key does not have ECA-1VM471 in stock.

@Tommy44 posted:

Can I substitute ECA-1VHG471 for C1?   Digi-key does not have ECA-1VM471 in stock.

Sure, the ECA-1VHG471 is the same value and has the same lead spacing.

Does anyone have a suggestion for an antistatic mat with wrist ground for for general use?  Pat B.

You don't need it for this project.  Truthfully, I don't use a mat all that often, though there are some jobs I do break it out.

I would like to use the pcb for conventional use with 5v LED light strips. Are there any components that need to be changed?

Nope, it's a constant current design, so it adjusts the voltage to the current required.

Thanks for the information!!

Our club has made and installed over a hundred of the LED controllers for club cars as well as members cars with no issues handling the LM317 during soldering.