LilyPad Arduino Blinking Bike Safety Patch

I made this embroidered patch in a different instructable, but here I'll show you how to add flashing LEDs to your backpack for fun and safety. I used a LilyPad Arduino with a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery for flatness and re-usability. The LEDs blink in a marquee pattern, two at a time, in patriotic red, white and blue, in fitting with this year's "Re-Make America" Maker Faire theme. Check out this project on Make: Projects and the video from CRAFT.

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Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials and Tools:
-scissors
-needlenose pliers
-sewing needle
-LilyPad Arduino with programmer and USB cable - Maker Shed

Power:
-LiPower board - Sparkfun
-lithium-polymer battery (and charger) - Sparkfun
OR
-LilyPad AAA battery holder (comes with the Maker Shed kit linked above)

-conductive thread - Lame Lifesaver
-conductive velcro - Less EMF
-sticky-back velcro (I got mine at Michael's)
-bag or backpack
-fabric patch to mount circuit
-small scrap of fabric for switch
-thread
-source code and schematic

Coil the leads of each LED: make the longer lead (positive) into a square spiral, and the shorter lead (negative) into a round spiral.

ingamarie says: Mar 8, 2011. 2:47 PM

Awesome, that was a fun project. I ended up using the 'Simple' Lilypad and only 8 lights, lining the back to protect the electronics, and making it snap on instead. Thanks so much!

hadimatin says: Aug 6, 2010. 10:26 AM

You are great. Excellent.

James Haskin says: Jun 15, 2009. 1:13 AM

Watch your patch animation while listening to Franz Ferdinand's Take me out. After the Ritardando at about 1:00 the LEDs sinc up. The same two blink on the quarter note and then it moves on counterclockwise.

BTW this instructable inspired me to make this...
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-LED-Bow-Tie/