Skateboard with PIC microcontroller and LEDs

What do you get when an Electrical Engineer builds a Skateboard from scratch for a 13 year old's Christmas present? You get a skateboard with eight white LEDs (headlights), eight red LEDs (tailights) all controlled via PIC microntroller! And I might add, one very happy 13 year old, well as happy as a 13 year old can be. Following is how I modified a skateboard kit (from ROAROCKIT.COM), added LEDs to the front and back, added PIC circuit, and covered with a comic book and custom graphics.

Step 1 Start building the Skateboard

Starting with a laminate kit that was purchased from www.roarockit.com, laminate the first three layers together. The laminate kit from roarockit includes everything needed to laminate and form your own skateboard. This is the second kit that I have used from them and have been very happy with their product.
1. Place the first laminate on the foam mold.
2. Spread the skateboard glue on the first layer.
3. Place the second laminate on top of the first.
4. Spread the skateboard glue on the second layer.
5. Place the third laminate on top of the second.
6. Insert guide pin.
7. Slide the assembly into the netting.
8. Slide the assembly into the vacuum bag, seal the bag, and pump out all the air.

Comments

[paperairplanecreator]

not good for grinding.. lol.

[jimmytvf]

seems like a christmas tree, but is very cool though

[winnerceramics]

you should make one with a peace of lexan or plexey glass at the core and have the LEDs inside of the board. then the lights could be arranged any way. and the light would shoot out the edge of the board. could also be done with a fiberglass coating so the entire board is clear. Minus the grip tape.

[Iron Dude]

what the heck is a pic microncontroller

[libed91]

it's a microcontroller- something that works like a mini less complex computer

[TSC]

Nice does the top have grip????

[theadamlevy]

you could add an automatic turning signal by hooking up pressure switches to the back trucks then wiring it to orange LED's idk if they make orange leds if they dont you could take white LEDs then add an orange plastic opaque sheet over them

[mtor]

Since it's a driven by a micro controller you could achieve the the same effect with an accelerometer(s) inside the project box, could even give you brake lights... And yes they most certainly make orange leds.

[kewlkat007]

 epic just wondering were i could get the materials plees help i have been wanting to do this for ever

[yhslawx357x]

the link is in the step,     www.roarockit.com

[GroggDog]

will do it to my snowboard lol

[mangomango]

there's a website that sells risers for lonboards with those built in.
there actually shock proof so they wont break when your riding

http://thelongboardstore.com/sunriser-lights-c-320.html

[KeithStephenson]

that was a horrible video. good idea though.

[denilsonsa]

The YouTube video from step 8 has been removed by the user.

[Flaky_Jay's]

what did the other board look like.

[fourball]

Here is the top and bottom of the other board before the trucks/wheels were put on.

[Newblit]

That's great. I really do think this is a great way to skateboard at night and not get hit by a car lol. Where did you purchase the LED's from anyways?

[fourball]

All of the electronic components were purchased from Digi Key.

[Eeeeeeeeeekz]

cool i would love to boardside with that baby. actually i think this mod would have been better for a longboard.

[bassclarinet23]

That's pretty sweet, he needs to be careful with it though.

[thriveepidemic]

This is a great article. very informative. Do you mind if we use this article at www.thriveepidemic.com ? we will acredit you fully.

[fourball]

I don't mind at all, feel free.

[thriveepidemic]

thank you much.

[=SMART=]

Wow you actually built the board!!, the comics look great ! your son is very lucky!!

[damasta]

is it possible the electronics all inside the board instead of a project box on the bottom? because then you could still grind and do other tricks in which the board touches whatever you're riding

[codykage]

i agree. or turn the box 90 degrees so if he turns sharp it wont scrape the box.

[rancidbry]

really awesome! with that large controller box why didn't you consider using RGB LED's?

[Dr.Paj]

Another idea is to put leds facing down along the edges of the board to create an under body glow (like some cars). Then with your electrical engineering skills, make it so that the line of leds light up just like yours, but along the entire board (facing down not out, or you might look like a UFO).

[Dr.Paj]

A good site for lighting (vehicle or otherwise) is Oznium. You can buy individual leds really cheap, or just buy a tube/string of leds by the foot.

[fourball]

Thanks for the link. I have been considering building another one, a Longboard this time. Will look over everyone's comments and see what happens. It's still in the "thinking about it" stage, but you never know.

[Dr.Paj]

No problem. I used that site to put cold cathodes under my car's seats for a glowing floor, I've heard they have good customer service. Good luck if you build the longboard.

[summit]

They do sell clear grip tape. Maybe that would have been easier to apply.
I believe these people sell them.

[fourball]

The Tread Tex was by far the easiest part of the whole project and produces a much better finish than clear grip tape. Thanks for the link.

[summit]

No problem!

[bduffman]

1 they do make orange leds , 2 if u cant get them u can buy paint for them , 3 they idea would be great on a long board , 4 mayb more powerfull lights tho for the front like 3 watt leds , 5 do them battarys recharge if not u should go with say a 6 volt rechargeble battary i used one for a speaker box then u could just plug it in and be all charged up ready other then that great build love the ideas if i didnt give my skate board away ild try this

[pyrothepenguin]

thats crazy dude... i like. if you want simple though use this one

you can still do tricks with the board too...

[fourball]

I saw that one before. Basically like you said it's crazy, which was pretty much what I was going for. If I hadn't given him two skateboards (both made from the roarockit.com kit), I probably would have done something more along those lines. Thanks for the comment, glad you liked it.

[WoodWinds]

I can see it now..."Pimp my Skateboard". I'll be waiting for the one with hydraulics and lift kits. Good job on the Instructable.

[GunnerRecall]

wow, that's awesome...not so good for the skater that likes grinding or doing tricks...when he gets older and still skates I would make him a longboard like this, then it will be smooth sailing with led's or even a sleek speaker to hook up a mp3 player to....just an idea to make me even more jealous :)

[Alexizupinhea]

Yea... I was thinking the same thing w/ the tricks part. This would prevent you from doing tricks, but its still a cool idea.