I often ride bikes that end up not having working LED flashers, either because it's a friends bike who doesn't believe in safety, mountain bike, or the batteries are dead again. Since I always bring my camelbak with me on rides, I designed some LED flashers that are integrated into the bag.
Some of the advantages that I have found to this system are:
- The lights are higher up, for better visibility then flashers attached below the seat.
- Waterproof. I've thrown the whole bag in the washing machine with the flashers attached.
- Flash timing between the 2 flashers is out of sync, creating an eye catching beat frequency strobing pattern.
- Single 2AA power source.
- Angle provides excellent side and rear visibility.
- They're always there when I need them.
- Don't need to buy separate flashers for each bike, if you have more then one.
- Could be sewn on to a bike jersey.
- You can blind the biker behind you.
Check it out at:
www.engineerable.com/flashback
Some of the advantages that I have found to this system are:
- The lights are higher up, for better visibility then flashers attached below the seat.
- Waterproof. I've thrown the whole bag in the washing machine with the flashers attached.
- Flash timing between the 2 flashers is out of sync, creating an eye catching beat frequency strobing pattern.
- Single 2AA power source.
- Angle provides excellent side and rear visibility.
- They're always there when I need them.
- Don't need to buy separate flashers for each bike, if you have more then one.
- Could be sewn on to a bike jersey.
- You can blind the biker behind you.
Check it out at:
www.engineerable.com/flashback
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials
Materials:
- The LED flashers were purchased on sale at Electronics Goldmine for $1.50. The housing turned out to be the worst cheap plastic, and the lens barely held on. However, the LED's were some of the brightest I had seen. They are actually daytime viewable. I didn't purchase these for this project, but since the LED's were so bright, and the board was tiny, they were perfect. They have so far survived 2 years of abuse and machine washing.
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G15411
- Scrap Polycarbonate - the approximate thickness I used measures 3/32 (probably sold as 1/8in) and 7/32 (probably sold as 1/4 in)
- Wires - 6 approximately 6 inch small gauge wires
- One small switch. I used a smt click switch.
- 5 minutes epoxy
- Strong thread to sew the flashers onto the bag. Preferably an industrial grade thread, like something used to sew leather.
- The LED flashers were purchased on sale at Electronics Goldmine for $1.50. The housing turned out to be the worst cheap plastic, and the lens barely held on. However, the LED's were some of the brightest I had seen. They are actually daytime viewable. I didn't purchase these for this project, but since the LED's were so bright, and the board was tiny, they were perfect. They have so far survived 2 years of abuse and machine washing.
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G15411
- Scrap Polycarbonate - the approximate thickness I used measures 3/32 (probably sold as 1/8in) and 7/32 (probably sold as 1/4 in)
- Wires - 6 approximately 6 inch small gauge wires
- One small switch. I used a smt click switch.
- 5 minutes epoxy
- Strong thread to sew the flashers onto the bag. Preferably an industrial grade thread, like something used to sew leather.
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I will probably hook it up to my panniers. The taillight is very visible and cool indeed. Thanks for sharing this idea. Regards,
Sonnet.