*First post, first forum, and first question ever posted*
I found this forum, and its members seem competent and willing to help; However, I have not really found a similar post or request like mine (unless I have missed it).
Okay, of course I am another person who has no real knowledge of circuitry, or experience in electrical engineering, and who is trying to accomplish something I probably have no business trying- but still I have to ask.
I recently got my hands on a "power wheels" jeep wrangler for my 3 yr. old (first) son.
Being proficient with an airbrush and having other artistic talent, I decided to (or will do so once I can figure component placement) turn this "red" jeep into a military jeep complete with camouflage, and other military likenesses.
And so began the vision of working LED's, lit switches, and other functional devices that would make this project a, "one- of- a- kind" for my son. So I hurried, and went online to various hobbyist stores purchasing kits, and components that I thought would be relevant to my ideas.
As its stands, the kits have been assembled, but I am have one terrible time trying to gather information from various places to make sense of what I am trying to do.
Here are my ideas. They are vague, but only because I do not have to ability to communicate professionally- this is where the mentor request comes in, in hopes that someone would be willing to guide me:
(1) I would like the ability to have one 12v battery dedicated for driving the power wheels (motors only) and another 12v battery to drive devices, LED's, etc. It would also be wonderful to be able to switch the "device" source battery off through a main switch with the option to use its power to drive the power wheels if the other battery ran out of power.
(2) I would like working headlights once a switch is turned on the dash, which also controls power to the brake lights (that are only activated once the "gas pedal" is not depressed).
(3) I would like to install a machine gun turret behind the seat which is controlled by a joystick (movement needed is right to left 180 degrees). I bought a preamp kit and sound kit that I have uploaded wav files to which have machine gun sounds and horn sounds on it. I would like to wire the horn switch to the drivers wheel obviously and machine gun trigger to the top of joystick.
(4) I would like to create a loudspeaker through an old CB mic that would work as normal when the trigger is depressed.
I understand this description is vague but I believe it gives a general idea of what it is I am trying to accomplish. I need structured guidance, but my bank account does not allow me to invest in college. I have tried researching and have retained some information, but it is
difficult for me to learn with direction like, " go here and read it", or "go to this site and they will tell you". I was hoping for guidance to the effect of, " let's start here", or, " once we understand this, this is what we can do".
I understand the good people on this site cannot advise me without first knowing , how many LED's, what kind of components/ their ratings, or other pertinent information to provide an accurate explanation, but this post is asking for someone who would be willing to guide me (personally) and address my questions for this project. If you are willing, I will do my best to provide any necessary information to help you determine what it is I need to do this project.
Your time will be respected, as it is being donated. I will not pressure, or be demanding of it. There is no real hurry for this project, I just want to say one day that I was able to do it for my son, that's all (before he is too big for this). I appreciate any response, including those that tell me to "get lost" because I am in over my head.
Take care and I look forward to anyone's help. I hope to post the finished project at a later time.
I found this forum, and its members seem competent and willing to help; However, I have not really found a similar post or request like mine (unless I have missed it).
Okay, of course I am another person who has no real knowledge of circuitry, or experience in electrical engineering, and who is trying to accomplish something I probably have no business trying- but still I have to ask.
I recently got my hands on a "power wheels" jeep wrangler for my 3 yr. old (first) son.
Being proficient with an airbrush and having other artistic talent, I decided to (or will do so once I can figure component placement) turn this "red" jeep into a military jeep complete with camouflage, and other military likenesses.
And so began the vision of working LED's, lit switches, and other functional devices that would make this project a, "one- of- a- kind" for my son. So I hurried, and went online to various hobbyist stores purchasing kits, and components that I thought would be relevant to my ideas.
As its stands, the kits have been assembled, but I am have one terrible time trying to gather information from various places to make sense of what I am trying to do.
Here are my ideas. They are vague, but only because I do not have to ability to communicate professionally- this is where the mentor request comes in, in hopes that someone would be willing to guide me:
(1) I would like the ability to have one 12v battery dedicated for driving the power wheels (motors only) and another 12v battery to drive devices, LED's, etc. It would also be wonderful to be able to switch the "device" source battery off through a main switch with the option to use its power to drive the power wheels if the other battery ran out of power.
(2) I would like working headlights once a switch is turned on the dash, which also controls power to the brake lights (that are only activated once the "gas pedal" is not depressed).
(3) I would like to install a machine gun turret behind the seat which is controlled by a joystick (movement needed is right to left 180 degrees). I bought a preamp kit and sound kit that I have uploaded wav files to which have machine gun sounds and horn sounds on it. I would like to wire the horn switch to the drivers wheel obviously and machine gun trigger to the top of joystick.
(4) I would like to create a loudspeaker through an old CB mic that would work as normal when the trigger is depressed.
I understand this description is vague but I believe it gives a general idea of what it is I am trying to accomplish. I need structured guidance, but my bank account does not allow me to invest in college. I have tried researching and have retained some information, but it is
difficult for me to learn with direction like, " go here and read it", or "go to this site and they will tell you". I was hoping for guidance to the effect of, " let's start here", or, " once we understand this, this is what we can do".
I understand the good people on this site cannot advise me without first knowing , how many LED's, what kind of components/ their ratings, or other pertinent information to provide an accurate explanation, but this post is asking for someone who would be willing to guide me (personally) and address my questions for this project. If you are willing, I will do my best to provide any necessary information to help you determine what it is I need to do this project.
Your time will be respected, as it is being donated. I will not pressure, or be demanding of it. There is no real hurry for this project, I just want to say one day that I was able to do it for my son, that's all (before he is too big for this). I appreciate any response, including those that tell me to "get lost" because I am in over my head.
Take care and I look forward to anyone's help. I hope to post the finished project at a later time.
