Bicycle Energy Demo (Operating Instructions)

This instructable is the operating instruction for the bicycle energy demo. The link to the build is included below:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Energy-Demo-Build/

Step 1: Connect the DC Motor to the Circuit

Connect the DC motor to the circuit via the terminal block. Be sure to reverse the polarity of the motor when hooking it up to the circuit. This means the black wire becomes the supply and red wire becomes the ground. The terminal block uses a standard Phillips head screwdriver.

Step 2: Turn on the Arduino Uno

Turn on the Arduino Uno using the switch on the 9V battery external supply. There is a space in the circuit cage to remove the battery pack. Be sure not to pull on the battery pack to ensure it does not become disconnected from the Arduino Uno.

Step 3: That's It!

That's all it takes to set up the bicycle energy demo. You are now ready to get on the bike and start pedaling!

Step 4: Changing the Arduino Code

The Arduino code works by addressing each of the lights individually. There is most likely a more efficient way to write the code but the team had limited experience with Arduino coding. When a specified voltage is output from the motor, certain LED lights are coded to turn on as defined colors. You can adjust the voltage values required to turn on the lights to make it harder or easier to turn them on. The code included in the design was intended for small kids pedaling the bicycle and therefore it does not require a high voltage input to turn on all the lights. The only colors we used for the project were blue and red. However, the lights are capable of producing an array of colors. For more example code, follow the link below:

https://learn.adafruit.com/12mm-led-pixels/code