Skateboard Under-glow

by jnajmy

12K13518

Intro: Skateboard Under-glow

I made this a couple weeks ago, the idea came to me after i was hit by a truck and broke my both my top and bottom jaws, my eye socket, both my cheek bones (i have metal plates now), my nose was broken and i broke my collar bone. I was in acoma for a week and had 5 surgeries since. This happened to me a little more than a year ago and i have racked up more than $100,000 in debt and have lost feeling in both my lips and most of my cheeks and i have loss all taste. Luckily, insurance paid for most of the bills.
After having a long time recovering i came up with the idea that will give more visibility to a skateboard. I fixed 28 LEDs onto the bottom of my skateboard deck. 
FIrst, I had to drill 28 holes one inch in and spread out an inch. Then, I inserted all 28 LEDs into the holes and wired all the LEDs together in a parallel circuit then i connected two AA batteries and put grip tape over all the hardware then i was cruising with lights!
I think this helped me get better visibility and i plan on making and selling these RIght now i am in the process of making a multi color flashing LEDs with a remote control.

thanks for viewing my skateboard with under-glow hope you enjoy it!! 

17 Comments

eximmer 9 years ago

Awesome idea dude! Really sorry about the accident tho :/

ebren22 10 years ago

did you use 5mm LEDs or 8mm, or any resistors? Sweet, simple project man!

jchilds4 10 years ago

awesome project dude.

Ravirar 10 years ago

This is amazing! Now I just need a drill... LOL That sucks that an @$***** truck dude hit you. This Is a cool ible pls tell me if you sell these so I can buy one

teach me cool stuff 11 years ago

Very creative idea! I am thniking of making my own longboard and now i think i will involve this LED idea! Also, did you make that battery pack yourself? Can i get some more information on the batteries? I was planning on making an instructable with my longboard, would it be ok if i linked this one for the LED steps?

whatthewaffle 11 years ago

i think that hot glue would work well if you don't want to start drilling holes in your new $100 board

Allureglow 11 years ago

We have Photoluminescent Paint (Glow in the Dark) that will do the same thing and no holes required. www.allureglowusa.com

ISPairsoft 11 years ago

I would buy one! Especially knowing that it is going to someone in need, not just a rich person, living in a mansion in Italy...

ISPairsoft 11 years ago

I thought this was a great idea... but is there any way you can make any instructable of how to add them, and not just the idea... i dont wanna ruin my long board... 5 Stars anyway - ISPairsoft

axeman911 11 years ago

when u drill the hole does it goes all the way through to the other side, making the led leads go on the grip tape or what?cuz i dont see how u ran the wiring?

tuggs124 11 years ago

This is an awesome effect, and i love how it's so easily concealed by the grip tape! It's a good idea for skateboarders who ride at night. Nice Job!!!

Parrhesia 11 years ago

I don't often see safety features on anything that add major points to the awesome factor - I can't even skate anymore and I had to click on this to check it out :) Very nicely done! I'm also glad to hear that you're healing in both body and mind. Good on you, love :)

wilgubeast 11 years ago

Good for you for getting back on the board after an accident like that. I wouldn't feel safe in anything short of a tank after being hit by a truck. Or a Vespa, really. But at least you're visible now.

jnajmy 11 years ago

It was a very hard challenge but i was able to over comb my fear with the help of my friends and family, with out them i would be no where near a skateboard

Thanks for the comment!!

tomtortoise 11 years ago

I really like the idea of this and it gives a really cool effect, but what happens if your batteries runout, maby you could add reflectors to the wheels in case that happens. Just a thought for added safety.

jnajmy 11 years ago

I am making a new board that will easily be able to plug into a wall outlet for easy recharge. I thought of the idea of reflectors but i am going for a more sleek design that is not very noticeable during the day but very bright at night. Right now for the batteries i just have to take the battery cover off and replace the 2 rechargeable batteries.

Thanks for the feed back!!