Flashing LED Top Tube Pad for your bike

Well it's that time of year again. That's right, the sun is going down early, and it's getting hard to avoid logging some miles on your bike after dark. You likely have great lights front and rear already, but what about on the sides of your bike? When crossing intersections, and cruising down those long stretches of unlit roads, a biker can be easy to miss.

Say hello to the led clad top tube pad. Not only does it provide a little protection for your bikes paint job. It also provides a lot of protection for you when riding in the dark. When I sought out to build this project, I had some simple goals in mind.

1. It needs to be self contained
2. It needs to bring lots of attention to the bike with out distracting the cyclist.
3. It needs to look clean

With this in mind it was time to put together a shopping list.

Step 1 Time to pick up some new toys.

Here is what we need to put this together.

We can get all of our parts from Sparkfun. I have also included the code for this project later in the instructable.

Arduino Pro mini x1
If your new to the Pro series Arduino, you will also need an FTDI basic. This let's us program the Pro mini over usb.
LEDs x11
Resistors x 11
Wire Wrap Wire x  an assortment of colors. Probably no less than 4 colors.
Battery x1
Don't forget a charger. Lipos need a special charger to keep them from exploding.

Comments

[Wasagi]

I really like this idea, I'll definitely try it at some point!

[iheartavocados]

I absolutely LOVE your instructable and it would betotally rad on my bike. The only drag about it is the cost. I priced out the items from sparkfun and it seems to run up to 100 dollars (I don't have colour wire wrap). Any advice on other places where I could find a better price?

[thebadfrank]

 Hey there. I am sorry to leave you hanging for a reply for so long. I think that you could do this project for a lot less now. There are two tricks for you. If you just want to power the leds, you could wire all of the leds directly to a battery. This would only be one color. I wanted 3 colors that were programmable. If you are ok with it only being one color, it would be really easy, and you could cut out the cost of the Arduino, and the extra price, and complication of working with the tri color leds. From there, I would recommend you check out an item we just started selling, it is a 25 pack of leds for $8 bucks. Not bad. You could get the whole project done with a 25 pack, a lipo battery, a power switch, and wires. And a top tube pad of course. ;) I hope this helps, and lets more people get at it. I will right a new instructable in the next week or two.

[thebadfrank]

Forgot the link 

25 Pack

[noelportugal]

 Great Job. This is a great beginner-to-intermediate electronics project. The perfect project from someone who wants to take its skills to the next level.

Good luck in the contest!

[thebadfrank]

Thank you very much.

[noelportugal]

* from* = for

:)

[isndi]

 I'm suprised about the rating too... I think it's a very good idea but it is one of those that does take someone that knows about electronics and parts to buy.. I would be interested in this if it was easier. It's kind of like Christmas lights!

[thebadfrank]

It is a bit complicated of a project, I tried to make it as simple as possible. But it is definitely a bit of an intermediate project.

If you are interested in getting started with Arduino, there is a ton of information out there to help you.

I have some beginner tutorials on my website, www.badfrank.net

Also there is lots of projects, and information available at www.arduino.cc

Sparkfun has a great Arduino starter kit also.

[mtbr4life]

 I gave you a 5 to up your rating a little, great job... I will vote for you

[thebadfrank]

Thank you for your support. I see your instructable is in the lead. Good luck. It's a nice idea, I will be sure to give you a vote too.

[Incrxtc]

I think this is a great ible. Some of the electronic diagrams can seem daunting, but this was well documented in a manner that is easy to follow.

I don't quite understand the low rating. It would be nice to know why.

[thebadfrank]

Thanks for the complement, and for checking out my instructable. The low rating bugs me. Seems a bit unfounded. But what can you do. Any way, glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks again.

[HarveyH44]

Wasn't this up about a week ago?  Might explain the low ratings this time around.

[thebadfrank]

No, I posted it originally for the Light Up the Night contest. It is an original posting.

[lemonie]

The rating on this is surprisingly low for something published today with no comments (was 2.11) - I'd suggest some deliberate down-rating from multiple accounts - post a Forum Topic if you agree.

L