LED programming

[Spinal2k2]

does anyone here know any info on programming LEDs using microchips etc.

What it is im trying to do is setup a few LEDs to flash in a sequence, in a strobe effect.

Think of the lightbars on some police cars, fire engines, ambualnces when once side will flash in a strobe effect then the other side and bounce between each side.

Its for some models i make, which are police and fire models.

I got a pre-made one a few years ago which done this - ive tried to the website i got it from but seems they no-longer exist .

The setup they had done was 2 surface mount LEDs, a chip/pic, resistor, and a black withing with 2 legs then the 9v battery connector.

Are there any good sites i can look at for chips/pic controllers that would do this.

Also what software/hardware would i need etc.

 

[Spinal2k2]

i've had a look at the 555 timers, found some on ebay few pound for 10 of them.

Ive had a look at some sites with info on doing LED flashers with the IC 555 Timer, but im not sure if i would be able to get what i needed with it.

One example would be this

8 LEDs in total.

2 Blue leads flash in a sequence of led 1 will flash quickly 4 times, then led 2 will flash quickly 4 times (roof lightbar) and continue doing that sequence.

The other 6 LED are 4 blue and 2 RED.

2 blue at the front (flash on and off - ie led 1 then led 2) and 2 blue 2 red at the back.

They flash on and off (with the back blue flashes then red flashes (the front leds could be connected to the front blue leds.)

Hopefully it makes a bit of sence.

Ive had a look at some videos of led flasher and chaser units etc, but most use different chips that you need to program (i found one site that has the HEX files you can download the simple setups etc)

But i would need a programmer - what kind would i need though.