Friday, November 30, 2012

TRON-ESQUE

Many Many moons ago, I came across a bike wheel lighting system called monkeylectric and I thought to myself- I should get me one of those... 
but I couldn't afford it.

I had this toy which would throw light on a coloured strip of paper and would make colour rings when spun.

That inspired me to buy some LEDs and batteries and created a spoke light which looked really good on my old bike.
It wasn't a very a very practical design, so I gave up soon. 

Then after two long years, I came across another DIY lighting system. I liked it and headed off to my local electrical shop where I discovered this: A self adhesive strip of tiny LEDs which are cut according to requirement. 

  


Just a matter of soldering the contacts with that battery connector thingy.

The self adhesive LED strip should then be fitted on the inside surface of the wheel. Valve to valve.






The 9 v battery should be taped to the spokes such that the battery wire connector can be attached to it. 

The battery connector acts like a switch.






The LED strip cost me a hundred bucks a metre. I bought two 2 m long strips, two 9 v batteries, two battery contacts and some black electrical tape.
I spent Rs 480 for the whole contraption.




Switch on the lights and take the bike out for a spin in the dark!









3 comments:

  1. Nice. You should make one round disc too that can go on the back of the rider. Full Tron!

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  2. Amazing work Meghana! :-)

    Question: did you try attaching this LED strip to just one of the spoke? It will make the whole wheel glow when it moves.

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  3. Thanks Somesh and Abhinav.

    I don't want a full bling wheel... Can't pull it off

    ReplyDelete