Custom Mod Controller.

[Josh Hambright]

I know it will void the warranty and i know it will probably not be the best idea but i have been debating taking apart an old controller (00 or 01) and replacing the led's with blue and white lenses...maybe...

We have been discussing modding an old controller much like people mod computer cases...

I dont know has anyone ever tried anything like this?

[rbayer]

I've taken an OI apart to fix it after somebody (one of our engineers! ) broke it. I can tell you that removing the LEDs won't be easy. However, if I remember correctly (which I probably don't), all the LEDs are already white and just have red/green lenses built into the OI/RC case. Then again, I took it apart over a year ago and really don't rember too well.

[Josh Hambright]

then maybe i will just switch the lens covering and wablammo custom colored controller!

thanks for the info

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally posted by rbayer
However, if I remember correctly (which I probably don't), all the LEDs are already white and just have red/green lenses built into the OI/RC case.

The LEDs do appear clear however the LEDs themselves are colored not the OI cover lenses.

Also there's two issues with doing this:

1. Remember that only this years control system (and last years if you have it upgraded) support autonomous mode.

2. Different color LEDs draw different amounts of current. I'm pretty sure that blue and white LEDs draw more current than green, yellow, or red LEDs. You'd have to watch out for this if you swapped out the LEDs as the control system may or may not be able to handle this.

[rbayer]

Originally posted by Dave Flowerday
[b]The LEDs do appear clear however the LEDs themselves are colored not the OI cover lenses.
[b]

That would make a lot of sense. I didn't exactly plug the OI in while holding it in my hands, so all I had to go by was the color of the casing. Thanks for the correction!

[DanL]

Yeah, that and it seems kinda silly to use white led's and just use plastic shades when white led's are about 20 times as expensive (about a buck if you order in bulk, as opposed to 5 cents for red or green). As for the blue led's, I say go for it. Who cares if you'll reduce the life of the oi by 10 years? It'll go out in style ;-)

You can try getting a 2v, 20mA blue one here. I bought these for my case mod, and they're fine. If you could find a place that sells small quantities for under 3 bucks, though, I'd definately like to know.

[Rickertsen2]

modding rules!!!

[Gobiner]

Remember to post pictures if you mod. I wanna see a 1337 robot controller as much as the next guy.

[Josh Hambright]

will do

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally posted by Dave Flowerday
The LEDs do appear clear however the LEDs themselves are colored not the OI cover lenses.

Also there's two issues with doing this:


2. Different color LEDs draw different amounts of current. I'm pretty sure that blue and white LEDs draw more current than green, yellow, or red LEDs.

Dave is correct here. There are resistors in series with the LEDs that have been calculated for the current drawn by those devices. If you use a higher current demand device, the voltage drop across the resistors may be so great that the new LEDs won't turn on.