Chippernut DIY Automotive - Chippernut Electronic Kits

15% Off Store Wide

5/8/2025

Thankfully I stocked up on a decent amount of inventory before the tariff's kicked in. Save now while you can with coupon code LIGHTNINGLAP for 15% off all items. Sale ends 5/31/2025. Prices will likely increase due to tariffs soon - though I'm not quite sure how much yet. Waiting for the dust to settle on all this. Thanks for understanding!

Shift Light V3.2 Video

7/14/2024

Firmware Update v3.22

4/4/2024

Hey Everyone,
There is a firmware update for version 3. This fixes a bug and improves the # of LEDs variable. Now when you set the number of LEDs, it updates for all profiles instead of just the one you happen to be editing.

chippernut_shiftlight_v3_22_7mar2024a.ino
File Size:	70 kb
File Type:	ino

Updating v3.1 to the latest firmware

1/25/2024

I've had quite a few folks ask me if it's possible to update the DIY or Assembled v3.1 to the latest code (now v3.21). Good news: YES! Bad news: it's a bit complicated, so bear with me. I just had a customer try out these instructions from scratch and it worked. I plan to release a video tutorial as well, but it'll be a few weeks.

Side note: this latest firmware now includes an update to the brightness scale to improve night driving. Brightness = 1 is now 25% as bright as it used to be. Scale has changed from 1-15 to 1-60 for a lot more adjustability. 15 and 60 (the highest brightness) is still the same though, it didn't get any brighter at max brightness.

First - download the latest firmware. (as of 25 Jan 2024)

chippernut_shiftlight_v3_22_7mar2024a.ino
File Size:	70 kb
File Type:	ino

Install the Arduino IDE. https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
Install the CH340 USB UART chip driver and install that. https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ch340-drivers/all
Then download my 3.1 zip package here: Library Files
Follow the Arduino instructions to install the libraries included with that Zip. I prefer the "manual" method personally. https://docs.arduino.cc/software/ide-v1/tutorials/installing-libraries
Then you'll open the Arduino IDE.
Open the attached firmware file.
Connect your Shift light via USB cable.
In the Arduino IDE, In the Tools Menu, Select the board "Arduino Nano"
In the tools menu, under bootloader, select "ATmega328P (Old Bootloader)"
Then after a few seconds you should see the Port section become active, open it and select whatever port it displays.
This is where most people have issues. Getting the IDE to connect to the arduino. In my experience, the first time is always the most difficult. If it doesn't work, unplug everything, reboot, and start back at step 5.
Once you get the port active, click the blue checkmark icon for "Compile" and it should compile without errors. If it does, send me the text output in the bottom black area. It's likely a library issue.
Once it compiles, you should see a couple lines of white text indicating the program size and memory used.
Then click the blue arrow icon to upload. It's normal if it fails the first time. Just try again. If it keeps failing the upload, push the reset button on the shift light Arduino just before it starts to upload. Timing is key. Then it should take.
You'll see a bunch of lights flashing, then the shift light will boot up. Because it's a fresh install, you might need to go in the shift light menu system, to the very last menu option, and reset the shift light to clear out the old memory presets because some memory locations changed from 3.1 to 3.2. This will cause issues if you don't reset.

eBay Listings are Live! Videos coming soon...

1/24/2024

Hi everyone, Just a quick note to let you know that V3.2 is available for purchase outside the US via the eBay page. I'm actively working on updated videos for the latest products including detailed instructions to update v3.1 shift lights to the latest software.

Version 3.2 Ships!

12/17/2023

Assembled Shift Light V3.2

$249.99 - $274.99

Version 3.2 of the shift light is here! This assembled kit comes ready to install. Featuring a comprehensive menu system to customize your shift-light, rpm zone colors, signal smoothing, brightness adjustment, animations, and much more! This unit ships with the latest Shift Light software pre-loaded and bench-tested. All wires, connections, and components wired and ready-to-go!

Hi Everyone,

Version 3.2 Assembled of the shift light is shipping. The first few orders are going out tonight and the remainder of the pre-orders are going out early this week. Thanks for everyone that placed an order and supported Chippernut (and thanks for your patience). The new shift lights are looking fantastic and I'm excited to film a new video for them shortly. The preorder sale will end Friday this week (22 Dec 2023), so if you still want a great deal on a sophisticated shift light, place your orders now!

Latest Production News

12/7/2023

Quick Update: Expected ship date for the latest v3.2 assembled kits will now be 18 Dec 2023. There was a minor production hiccup that's been quickly resolved, but it resulted in a couple extra weeks lead-time. The pre-order sale will end just before the Holidays.

Production Update & New Software

11/26/2023

Assembled Shift Light V3.2

$249.99 - $274.99

Version 3.2 of the shift light is here! This assembled kit comes ready to install. Featuring a comprehensive menu system to customize your shift-light, rpm zone colors, signal smoothing, brightness adjustment, animations, and much more! This unit ships with the latest Shift Light software pre-loaded and bench-tested. All wires, connections, and components wired and ready-to-go!

Hi folks!

I spoke with the circuit board manufacturer last week and I'm told they will ship Dec 1st, 2023. This is the last component before final assembly and stocking!

Once I stock the assembled shift lights, I'm going to end the pre-order sale! So get your discount while you still can. I'll offer promotions in the future, but probably not for a few months.

Here's a summary of the new software features. These updates apply to all unassembled and assembled shift lights starting today.

Save your settings in 5 user-defined profiles
- Street, Sport, Track, Pro-comp, and Extreme
Easily switch between profiles on-the-fly
Improved brightness adjustment
New animations inspired by F1 shift lights
New shift animations (including no-flash)
Adjustable shift animation flash rate

I'll have a video showcasing these changes soon.

Assembled Shift Light Pre-Orders 20% OFF!!

11/9/2023

Assembled Shift Light V3.2

$249.99 - $274.99

Version 3.2 of the shift light is here! This assembled kit comes ready to install. Featuring a comprehensive menu system to customize your shift-light, rpm zone colors, signal smoothing, brightness adjustment, animations, and much more! This unit ships with the latest Shift Light software pre-loaded and bench-tested. All wires, connections, and components wired and ready-to-go!

3.2 Promotional Photos

11/8/2023