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Using your hands to indicate that you will be taking a left or right on a bicycle is still the best thing to do since it typically makes a driver look at you. But, having a weather tough bicycle turning light system seemed like a good idea to me. This system I will admit is a bit heavy in its present form. If you use your bicycle for transportation as I do and not for racing, then it should be just fine. I personally have a rack, 2 wire baskets, and I do carry things with my bike to and from work so the extra weight doesn't bother me.
The main point of this project was to make the turning system but, I also did not want to machine anything. I didn't want to hammer, drill, mill, or even punch holes into things. I sourced as many parts as possible to prevent myself from making holes in anything. I did end up having to make 3 holes unfortunately. Oddly enough, not tooling anything proved extraordinarily difficult due to the fact that I wanted a custom system with off the shelf parts.
The items themselves are notably expensive. Considering however that a comparable light system from a retailer would cost you a lot more, I compromised on ease of use (i.e. no machining) to price. In fact, I could have done a lot more tooling to reduce the price of this build but, I wanted to see if I could get away with a minimal amount of tooling. So, let me apologize for the cost of the items up front.
I have noticed that newer and different items that would do just fine (and more cheaply) have arrived to market since I started this project. Oh well, I guess I should have just waited to start this project instead of slowly accumulating pieces for it.
When building this system, I posed a challenge for myself. I wanted to learn more about the Arduino (this is my first project with it), high power LEDs, and Li-Ion batteries. Granted, all the items I purchased for this project are overkill for the simple system of bike turning lights but, it was fun to learn about them.
On some very positive notes, the build can be used to make some really high powered flashlights. The LED enclosures can be used to make completely waterproof lighting systems that are super easy to build. No tooling necessary and only with slight modifications from this build. And finally, I hope that I will introduce new components to the hacker space with this Instructable. The LED enclosures are meant to be used in optics labs so having a super ultra geeky LED light system from laboratory equipment should give anyone at least some bragging rights. Even though your pocket book may be hurting because of it.
The main point of this project was to make the turning system but, I also did not want to machine anything. I didn't want to hammer, drill, mill, or even punch holes into things. I sourced as many parts as possible to prevent myself from making holes in anything. I did end up having to make 3 holes unfortunately. Oddly enough, not tooling anything proved extraordinarily difficult due to the fact that I wanted a custom system with off the shelf parts.
The items themselves are notably expensive. Considering however that a comparable light system from a retailer would cost you a lot more, I compromised on ease of use (i.e. no machining) to price. In fact, I could have done a lot more tooling to reduce the price of this build but, I wanted to see if I could get away with a minimal amount of tooling. So, let me apologize for the cost of the items up front.
I have noticed that newer and different items that would do just fine (and more cheaply) have arrived to market since I started this project. Oh well, I guess I should have just waited to start this project instead of slowly accumulating pieces for it.
When building this system, I posed a challenge for myself. I wanted to learn more about the Arduino (this is my first project with it), high power LEDs, and Li-Ion batteries. Granted, all the items I purchased for this project are overkill for the simple system of bike turning lights but, it was fun to learn about them.
On some very positive notes, the build can be used to make some really high powered flashlights. The LED enclosures can be used to make completely waterproof lighting systems that are super easy to build. No tooling necessary and only with slight modifications from this build. And finally, I hope that I will introduce new components to the hacker space with this Instructable. The LED enclosures are meant to be used in optics labs so having a super ultra geeky LED light system from laboratory equipment should give anyone at least some bragging rights. Even though your pocket book may be hurting because of it.
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Signing UpStep 1Tools and Items
As a first step, I'll list the tools I use and the items that are necessary to build this project.
Items
4x Ø1" x 1" Lens tube
2x Ø1" x 0.5" Lens tube
1x Retaining ring
4x Ø1" x 2" Lens tube
1x Ø2" x 1" Lens tube
1x Ø2" x 2" Lens tube
1x Ø2" Lens tube cap
4x Heat sinks - These may be overkill considering that the LEDs will be flashing.
2x LED drivers - I used the wired ones but the PCB mounted versions may be a better idea.
4x Amber LEDs
4x LED lenses - I used the wide angle lenses but any would work.
4x LED lens holders
1x Arctic Silver thermal paste
1x Ø1" O-rings - Used to fit the heat sink in the lens tube.
1x Ø1" O-rings - Used to seal the LED lens.
1x Ø2" O-rings - Used to seal the battery holder.
1x Ø3" O-rings - Used to mount lights to the bicycle.
1x 1" OD x 5/8" ID Washer - Used to hold LED lens in place.
1x 1" OD x 3/8" ID Washer - Used to hold the wire connector in place.
1x Ø2" OD x 1/2" ID Washer - Used in the battery holder.
1x Ø2" OD x 1/2" ID Fiberglass Washer - Used in the battery holder.
1x 1" OD x 1/4" ID Washer
1x 1" OD x 3/16" ID Washer
1x 4-40 x 3/8" Pan head screws
2x Spacers
1x #4 Nylon washers
1x Black hook up wire
1x Red hook up wire
4x DC power connectors - Jacks
4x DC power connectors - Plugs
1x Solder - If you are an expert with solder, get the unleaded version.
1x Heat shrink tubing
1x Enclosure
1x 9V Battery connector
1x Battery holder
4x 14500 Li-Ion batteries
2x Battery chargers
1x SPDT Switch
1x Toggle boot
1x Arduino - I used the Duemilanove and tried the Nano. Both work with the configuration I have made.
1x Single right angle break away headers
1x Double right angle break away headers
Tools
1x Ø1" Spanner wrench. - Not necessary but helpful!
1x Ø2" Spanner wrench. - Not necessary but helpful!
1x Soldering iron
1x Wire stripper - Made in the USA!
1x Third hand - Useful but not necessary.
1x Multimeter - Not necessary but useful.
1x Center punch - Used to center where the hole should be.
1x Pin vise - Used to hold the drill bit.
1x Center drill - Used to prevent your drill bit from walking.
1x Lighter
1x Diagonal cutters
1x Needle nose pliers
Items
4x Ø1" x 1" Lens tube
2x Ø1" x 0.5" Lens tube
1x Retaining ring
4x Ø1" x 2" Lens tube
1x Ø2" x 1" Lens tube
1x Ø2" x 2" Lens tube
1x Ø2" Lens tube cap
4x Heat sinks - These may be overkill considering that the LEDs will be flashing.
2x LED drivers - I used the wired ones but the PCB mounted versions may be a better idea.
4x Amber LEDs
4x LED lenses - I used the wide angle lenses but any would work.
4x LED lens holders
1x Arctic Silver thermal paste
1x Ø1" O-rings - Used to fit the heat sink in the lens tube.
1x Ø1" O-rings - Used to seal the LED lens.
1x Ø2" O-rings - Used to seal the battery holder.
1x Ø3" O-rings - Used to mount lights to the bicycle.
1x 1" OD x 5/8" ID Washer - Used to hold LED lens in place.
1x 1" OD x 3/8" ID Washer - Used to hold the wire connector in place.
1x Ø2" OD x 1/2" ID Washer - Used in the battery holder.
1x Ø2" OD x 1/2" ID Fiberglass Washer - Used in the battery holder.
1x 1" OD x 1/4" ID Washer
1x 1" OD x 3/16" ID Washer
1x 4-40 x 3/8" Pan head screws
2x Spacers
1x #4 Nylon washers
1x Black hook up wire
1x Red hook up wire
4x DC power connectors - Jacks
4x DC power connectors - Plugs
1x Solder - If you are an expert with solder, get the unleaded version.
1x Heat shrink tubing
1x Enclosure
1x 9V Battery connector
1x Battery holder
4x 14500 Li-Ion batteries
2x Battery chargers
1x SPDT Switch
1x Toggle boot
1x Arduino - I used the Duemilanove and tried the Nano. Both work with the configuration I have made.
1x Single right angle break away headers
1x Double right angle break away headers
Tools
1x Ø1" Spanner wrench. - Not necessary but helpful!
1x Ø2" Spanner wrench. - Not necessary but helpful!
1x Soldering iron
1x Wire stripper - Made in the USA!
1x Third hand - Useful but not necessary.
1x Multimeter - Not necessary but useful.
1x Center punch - Used to center where the hole should be.
1x Pin vise - Used to hold the drill bit.
1x Center drill - Used to prevent your drill bit from walking.
1x Lighter
1x Diagonal cutters
1x Needle nose pliers
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Tom
D