Digital Bicycle Horn With Customizable Sound

Intro: Digital Bicycle Horn With Customizable Sound

in this project, we are going to make a digital bicycle horn with customizable sounds, we can produce up to 4 different sounds, and each track is saved on a micro-SD card in .mp3/wav format, we have 4 button inputs for playing sounds, each button is assigned to each track in the micro-SD card. also, it has a rechargeable battery, you can charge the battery with USB C, I also include a battery recharge indicator LED on the back side, and there is a small switch for ON/OFF. it is made from readily available components and completely 3d printable body parts.

STEP 1: Modeling in Autodesk Fusion 360

Used Fusion 360 to plan and design my project. The main body is designed to hold the battery and electronics without needing screws—it just snaps into place. To make sure everything stays secure, I used some hot glue. The button pad is also completely 3d printed including the button caps. I found some accurate models of the modules online. that made the design process much easier, all design files are given below

STEP 2: 3d Printing

I 3D printed all of this in PLA+ from Numakers . I used black and orange filament. which is a great combination. 0.2mm layer height and 100% infill, if you don't have a 3d printer you can find online 3d printing services 

STEP 3: Voltage Setting on MT3608

Before assembling we need to preset the voltage on MT3608, if you buy a new module you need to turn the potentiometer around 20 times or more in a counterclockwise position and then once you get the regulated voltage at the output you can use the module. Connect your battery to VIN+ and VIN- and set the voltage to 5v. measure it from the OUT+ and OUT- using a multimeter after that remove the battery input

STEP 4: Removing Header Pins From MP3-TF-16P

MP3-TF-16P always comes with a header pin pre-soldered but we need to remove it for this project, it is not easy if you don't have the right tools, I used a combination of desoldering pump and plier for removing the header pins. Try not to damage related components from the PCB. This tutorial helps me a lot

STEP 5: Uploading Code to XIAO

I always like to upload the code to the microcontroller before assembly. Here we are using a tiny Xiao SAMD21 from the Seeed studio, It carries the powerful ATSAMD21G18A-MU which is a low-power microcontroller.

Use full tutorials

• How to configure Xiao for Arduino IDE
• More info about MP3-TF-16P

After adding Xiao board to IDE we need to install the library for MP3-TF16P, a useful tutorial for installing the library link

Here is the code for our project. upload it to Xiao

#include "Arduino.h"
#include "SoftwareSerial.h"
#include "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"


#define RX D6 // RX pin of DFPlayer Mini connected to  digital pin 6
#define TX D7 // TX pin of DFPlayer Mini connected to  digital pin 7


#define BUTTON_1 D0 // Digital pin for button 1
#define BUTTON_2 D1 // Digital pin for button 2
#define BUTTON_3 D2 // Digital pin for button 3
#define BUTTON_4 D3// Digital pin for button 4


SoftwareSerial mySoftwareSerial(RX, TX); // Create a SoftwareSerial object
DFRobotDFPlayerMini myDFPlayer; // Create a DFPlayerMini object


void setup() {
  mySoftwareSerial.begin(9600); // Start the software serial communication
  Serial.begin(9600); // Start the serial monitor for debugging


  if (!myDFPlayer.begin(mySoftwareSerial)) { // Initialize DFPlayer Mini
    Serial.println("Unable to begin:");
    Serial.println("1.Please recheck the connection!");
    Serial.println("2.Please insert the SD card!");
    while(true);
  }


  // Set volume (0 to 30)
  myDFPlayer.volume(30);


  pinMode(BUTTON_1, INPUT_PULLUP); // Set button pins as inputs with internal pull-up resistors
  pinMode(BUTTON_2, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BUTTON_3, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BUTTON_4, INPUT_PULLUP);
}


void loop() {
  if (digitalRead(BUTTON_1) == LOW) {
    playSong(1); // Function to play song 1
    delay(500); // Add a small delay to prevent multiple triggers with one press
  } else if (digitalRead(BUTTON_2) == LOW) {
    playSong(2); // Function to play song 2
    delay(500);
  } else if (digitalRead(BUTTON_3) == LOW) {
    playSong(3); // Function to play song 3
    delay(500);
  } else if (digitalRead(BUTTON_4) == LOW) {
    playSong(4); // Function to play song 4
    delay(500);
  }
}


void playSong(uint8_t track) {
  myDFPlayer.play(track); // Play the specified track number
  Serial.print("Playing track ");
  Serial.println(track);
}

STEP 6: Wiring Diagram

Now we can start the assembly.All components are placed in the side wall for utilizing the space and easy wiring 

Let's begin

STEP 7: Speaker Unit Assembly

Step 1

Remover the 2 charging status led

Step 2

Connect wires for 2 led +ve terminals is common , and one -ve for red and -ve on blue

Step 3

Connect the led wires to the BMS

Step 4

Push down the BMS and LED through the 3d print using a nose plier. Don't damage the led 

Step 5

We need to wire up the battery to the BMS, connect the +ve terminal of the battery to the B+ of BMS and -Ve to the B-, soldering place the battery on a 3d printed slot 

Step 6

Solder two wires to the power switch, push in the power switch to the 3d printed slot

Step 7

Connect the BMS OUT+ to the VIN+ of MT3608 and VIN- to the second terminal of the power switch , you can insert MT3608 into the 3d printed slot

Step 8

Pre-soldered the wires for the xiao with an appropriate length of the wire 

Step 9

Strip down 20mm of wire from the 5-core wire

Step 10

Run the wire through the hole in the main body 

Step 11

Connect the 5 core wire to GND, D0,D1,D2,D3 pins of the xiao

Step 12

Push down the wire and xiao into the 3d printed slot and glue the 5-core wire and xiao with a hot glue gun 

Step 13

Connect the VUSB and GND of Xiao to the +VOUT and -VOUT  of MT3068 respectively. After that, we can connect Xiao and MP3-TF-16P. Xiao D6 and D7 to RX and TX pin of MP3-TF-16P, xiao VUSB, and GND to the VCC and GND of MP3-TF-16P. Also, solder two wires from MP3-TF-16P for the speakers.

Step 14 

After completing the wiring we can glue the MP3-TF-16P to the 3D-printed slot 

Step 15

Connect the speaker 

Step 16 

Place the speaker inside the main body and align the screw holes 

Step 17

Insert the speaker grill into the front cover

Step 18

Screw in the front cover to the main body with M3*12mm

Step 19

Insert a m3 nut into the slot in the mounting point 

Step 20

Put the bicycle mount to the main speaker body and tighten it with M3*20mm screws 

Step 21 

Insert the m3 nut into the mount 

We just completed assembly of main speaker unit

STEP 8: Button Pad Assembly

Step 1 

Insert the four push buttons to the slot in the 3d printed button support 

Step 2

Push down all four button caps

Step 3

Follow this wiring diagram 

Connect all ground of buttons 

Step 4

Push down the button assembly to the main body,run the cable through the hole in the main body, and cut the 5 core wire at the length of 25cm from the main speaker unit .solder all wires to the respective buttons,

Step 5

Insert an m3 nut into the hole in the button mount 

Step 6 

Close down button assembly with two M3*16mm screws 

STEP 9: How to Program the Sounds

Step 1

Connect SD card to a computer with card reader and   format your sd card 

Step 2

You can copy any MP3 or WAV audio to the Micro SD card ( NO TIME LIMITATION), i just copied about 4 audio files that I downloaded from the internet. 

if you need to find a new sound you like,

1. Just search the sound effects in the YouTube 
2. Copy the video URL
3. Find a YouTube to MP3 online converter  
4. Past the URL
5. Convert it to MP3 and download it 
6. Copy it to a Micro SD card 

Step 3

Insert the micro SD card into the SD card slot, each track will be assigned to 4 buttons 

STEP 10: How to Mount It to the Bicycle

Watch the video that I made. It looks cinematic right ?😂 ,I used two M3*20mm Scews 

STEP 11: Final Thoughts

Well, we made it, it looks cool and unique, you can use it for more purposes than a horn, and you can record your voice to play in this. if you need to sell ice cream or some things in your bicycle/vehicle, you can play advertisement sounds in it. the possibilities are endless.

Let me go for a ride with it, hope nobody will steal it this time 🕵🏽 😂

Comments

[zoblo1]

This has been a fun project but I discovered that the case is not deep enough for the 2 inch speakers that I have. Would you provide a link to the speakers that you used for this project. thanks.

[zoblo1]

Been fun making this but ran into a problem with the speakers. The case isn't deep enough for the 2 inch speakers that I have. Would you post the source of the speakers that you used? thanks.

[zoblo1]

this had been fun to work on but the speakers I bought were to thick; i.e. the case was not deep enough. Would you tell me what the source was for your speakers. thx.

[andy_k]

Great project - thanks for sharing.

Only thing: Would it be possible to add lower diameter cycle mounts? Woom bikes (for kids) have a diameter of 19mm

This would be so cool

[kanazir]

Better put the power switch to the "plus" line. It is bad practice to put it on the "minus" line.

[DavidL509]

Excellent project and well documented. I would add one more component - an Apple AirTag with the speaker removed (how to instructions found on YouTube). Mount inside box.

[gokux]

grait idea

[MakerStudioTed]

nice sharing with all details, I like it. BTW, do you mind tell me what software or tools you use to create step 6 wiring diagram?

[gokux]

I used Inkscape for this. it is a graphic design software , i spend too much time drawing it 🥲

[OwenM54]

Your first picture in button assembly step 3 appears to have an error. the green wire is connected to switch 1 not 3.

[gokux]

Sorry thanks for pointing that out, just updated it

[Piyush_ROBOTICS]

Did you make 2 of these, Like 1 before to see what you need and other things and 1 after which you use for the instructable

[gokux]

Hi Piyush
No only one. I always have an idea of what it will look like at the end of the project. I will test my circuit and code on the breadboard first. if that works 60% of the work is done.
then I will start modeling on Fusion 360. during the modeling, I will plan where I can pace components and make the project as small as possible. and i will 3d print it then the assembly and step-by-step documentation ( photos, writing) will be done in parallel.
thanks,
gokul

[amaze1]

Nice realization!
The DFRobot MP3 module is still amazing, using just 3 resistors you can avoid even the processor, check datasheet for ADKEYS pins use.

[gokux]

thanks for your suggestion

[Ham-made]

Hey gokux!
Great use of Fusion and clever design! Love the layout of your steps, never thought of doing it that way. Makes everything super clear and easier to follow.
Cheers!
Mr. Ham

[gokux]

Thanks, Mr. Ham all the best for your entry to

[TheMadScientist314]

Amazing instructable! Every picture was crystal clear and your instructions are so easy to follow! And by the way how did you make that video? It looks awesome!

[gokux]

thanks for your comment, I use a DIY video light that I built, also I have a Blackmagic pocket cinema camera 4k for video and still. I am also a filmmaker so i allredy have an idea about how to light someting

[ericdmast]

Looks really fun to use. I'd love to see a louder version of this. Great instructable!!!