DIY Ambient light EVO: SimHub lighting for the cockpit

DIY Ambient light EVO connects cockpit lighting to SimHub. The project combines a Windows plugin and Adalight firmware for an Arduino Nano to control LED strips around three screens.

The idea

The controller uses 60 WS2812 LED addresses, with three or five parallel strips of 60 LEDs. LED placement is configured independently for each of the three screens. Available modes include fixed colours, white, animations and screen capture.

Following the simulation

SimHub switches between idle and in-game modes. Profiles can load for the detected game. Telemetry alerts include flags, nearby cars, ABS, traction control, wheel lock and pit entry, depending on the data supplied by each game.

Installation and hardware

The DIYAmbient.Plugin.dll plugin is available from GitHub Releases. It is copied into the SimHub folder while SimHub is closed. The repository documents the COM port, screen-to-LED mapping and Nano firmware. The current interface is in French.

Current limitations

Screen capture uses Windows GDI in SDR; HDR and exclusive fullscreen are not implemented. The software current model is an estimate, not an electrical measurement or a substitute for suitable wiring and power distribution. Build instructions and subsequent changes remain documented in the repository.