A zener diode will conduct two ways. Like a normal diode when it is forward biased by about 0.7V and reversed biased (depends on the reverse breakdown voltage). The only time a zener will not conduct is when either the forward or reverse voltage threshold has not been met...
if you are looking to do serial communication then you can use something like hyperterminal. But most languages have lib's for serial communication as well. So it is very easy to code a frontend with the features you want.
There is a circuit in the datasheet for the Voltage Regulator I linked to. You should probably make that circuit for each light. Of course you can always use another VR and then you should consult the appropriate datasheet for the circuit.
Since it is gonna be hard finding a voltage regulator that will output ~6A, I would recommend buy 1 VR for each light. Then build a suitable linear PSU or use a computer PSU. http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/L7885CV/1026-L7885CV-CHP/2521513
These are good up to 1.5A and dirt cheap right...
It has batteries? Then just wire a DC voltage to the battery inputs and it should work. If you want to run them all off of VAC, then you will need a very basic linear power supply. Plenty of results on google.
I agree with everyone here. You have one or two problems. Either it is glued, yes I have seen it myself, or it has locking tabs. I don't see any locking tabs from that picture but they should be very obvious. If you can't see them and still can't take it apart I would recommend as a last resort...
No, but I am questioning why one needs a 0% to 100% duty cycle when they specify the need for a 1hz - 100khz freq. I guess what I was hinting at is are you sure you need 0% to 100% functionality and to what limits he could get away with? Didn't really see my post being that bad, but ok
I am with you, in that the output voltage is 1.67V minus the diode voltage drop, but proteus and multisim both seem to disagree that there is a 0.7 volt drop across the diode. Not sure why either to be honest. proteus has the output voltage at 1.3 with an ideal battery. *shrugs*
As far as I can tell the above schematic will not work. You have a p-channel mosfet, the gate has to be more negative then the source to turn on.
edit: I should read more closely. You want the on and off switch to be automatic when you start the car. I get it now.
ok, So you said the receiver knows the same pseudo-random code. How does this work, does the receiver tell the transmitter to use a certain pseudo-random code, like during the initial handshake between the receiver and transmitter?
I wonder if a mosfet driver would help you? You are trying to drive two mosfets from the same arduino pin.
delay() is in what mS uS?
edit: I am going to bed, later on the experts will come on as they live in australia and are sleeping. If you haven't got it figured out, take a nap and check...