Bounty Hunter Helmet LEDs

Hello,
   Here is another Helmet that I have been able to modify with some LED lights. This Helmet is something that I had previously created for a Sci-Fi film a while ago. (So I don't have instructions on putting the helmet itself together... sorry) but adding some cool looking "chasing" LEDs is fairly simple to do.

   Materials required:

All oft the LEDs, Connectors, Color Controller, and Battery (Basically everything for the lights) I was able to get from www.elementalled.com. The links attached to the materials list will take you to the corresponding page on their web site.

(1) foot of Solid Color (Purple) LED Strip Light
(6) Inches of Flexible Side View LED Strip Light (Amber)
(1) High Power RF Color Controller
(1) Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Pack
(1) 16.5' RGB Extension Cable
(1) LED Adapter Splice Cable
Hot Glue
Soldering Iron
Electrical Tape

Step 1: Wiring the positives

This is where we will be connecting the positive power line to the strips. The positive line will always be running through the lights, but they will not light up until the negative power comes in as well.

a) First take your foot of Purple LED Strip Light, and cut off (3) 2" Strips. (Cutting on the cut mark of course)

b) Then cut off (2) very short segments of Black wire from the 16.5' RGB Extension Cable.

c) Using your Soldering Iron, solder the short segments of wire to the positive solder points between strips one and two, and between three and four.

d) Then Solder a longer Black wire to the positive solder point at the beginning of the total fixture.

This will be the start of one full segment (ear) of chasing light for the helmet. For my helmet I did this twice. (Once for each "ear")

Comments

[tollef]

Do you have an instructable for the helmet itself? if not can you PLEASE make one? the helmet is sweet.

[ledsign]

It's cool!

[jeoncs]

Looks pretty sweet I've been working on something similar only going for a Fallout New Vegas NCR Ranger build. I'm about ready to bondo it and sand it smooth then it's time for LED treatment

[Hellwolve]

What's the advantange of the "Side view LED Strip Light" above any other LED strip? E.g., what does the "Side view" part 'do'?

[Zanibar]

The side view light is just like a regular strip light, but the lights are smaller, and mounted to shine off of the side of the strip, rather than the top.
Since I needed the strip to bend around the curve of the visor, it made sense to be able to bend the strip with the helmet, and have the lights point down. Had I used a different style of strip light, the light would have been projected forward, and would not have lit up the visor nearly as much.
When I get a chance, I will take some more pictures of the visor, and post them here.

[Hellwolve]

I see, understandable :-) Thanks for the explanation!

[tinker234]

is it see through

[Zanibar]

The lights are mounted just behind a mesh material, and gives an illusion of "floating" lights.
The only part that is actually see through is the visor.

[Tysonwein]

I understand the sacrifices that prop designers and actors have to make, you hear all sorts of complaints about uncomfortable or restrictive costumes all the time. "I couldn't breathe," "I went home smelling like latex," and "I could hardly move in that thing," are common comments in interviews for even the highest budget movies. So my question about "see-through" is this: With the visor being side-lit, how did that affect visibility? Could your actor see clearly? Comfortably? Did outside lighting conditions make a difference?

Do you have any video of the helmet being worn, or to the film the helmet was built for?

In any case, this is beautiful work, most impressive!

[Zanibar]

I see what you mean. At the time of shooting, the helmet actually didn't have any lights in it. We had a very small budget, and at the time I didn't know much about LEDs.
The visibility was pretty good. The actress didn't have too hard of a time acclimating to her surroundings. Other than the occasional glance, it was hardly noticeable.
The helmet doesn't fit on me, so I can't tell how easy/hard it is to see out of it. My young daughter however has worn it with the lights on, and told me she could see "fine."
I made sure that the lights are recessed within the top of the helmet, so as not to be shining directly into the talents' eyes. This should greatly decrease the visibility problems.
The Producers of the film are re-working the audio as we speak, and should be releasing it in some form soon, so I don't have any real video of the original actress wearing it yet...

[tinker234]

ok thanks

[loki17]

Awesome helmet! One question- did you use corrugated cardboard or that thick paperboard stuff?

[Zanibar]

Currogated Cardboard. At the time it was more of a necessity as it was readily available, and I had a very small budget. I find that I prefer cardboard in most of my costuming work because I'm used to using it now.

[loki17]

Also, where do you get your LED strips?

[Zanibar]

I got all of my LED's, color controller, and battery from www.elementalled.com. The links attached to the material listings should take you to the corresponding pages on the web site.

[digichi]

wow, i love it

[rhanson294]

Is the base material for the helmet an old fencing mask?

[Zanibar]

Actually, this helmet started as a baseball cap that fit the actresses head, then was built up using cardboard, duct tape, hot glue, and craft foam.
The "mesh" material is actually some type of flexible plastic crocheting, or embroidery board that craft stores carry (Like Michael's) My local Michael's has it in the back corner near the yarn.
I am certain that I will be making more helmets in the near future. I will make sure to document the making of these, and post them on Instructables.
Thank you.