NeoPixel Tie

[Hackentosher]

So, this project has been in the works for a few weeks now, but I've finally gotten to a point where I feel it acceptable to share it with the forum. Partly inspired by this, partly inspired by computex 2016, I wanted to make a tie that flashes through all of the colors of the rainbow like a Corsair keyboard demo. So, with my limited Arduino knowledge, I picked up a bunch of parts, and tried prototyping my code. It's not finished and I still need help as I have not a damn clue what I'm doing, but the Adafruit Neopixel guides have been some help. Before we get started, some tags that I feel necessary: @iamdarkyoshi @Clanscorpia @themctipers @TheGhzGuy and what the hell, @straight_stewie will probably enjoy this. But anyway, on to the pictures!

 

I started with a cheap slim black tie that I had in my closet, tied it around my neck as normal, loosened, and took it off so I would have the length consistent for my neck. This is never to be untied as the electronics are all layed out based on how the tie fits on me.

 

Next, I flipped it over, and plopped the Adafruit Gemma onto the back of the tip and stitched it in place on the ground, D1, and Vout pins. I tried soldering the thread in place, but I learned that stainless steel thread and solder don't particularly like each other that much. So, I guess I just have to hope that my crap stitches and knots hold up alright. I think I'll use some black thread to hold the battery in place, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. 

 

So here's the rough layout or the rest of the pixels, as you can see, I did not have quite enough to carry the pattern of three across all the way, but whatever, the tie gets kinda narrow up there anyway so I think it's fine. Now to "wire" (is it really wire if it's thread?) them up. This gon take awhile.

[themctipers]

Now make one for underwear 

@givingtnt

[iamdarkyoshi]

I like it. Let me handle the lithium.

[Clanscorpia]

This looks sick, gunna add this to my list /s . It does look super sick though

[Hackentosher]

Just now, iamdarkyoshi said:

I like it. Let me handle the lithium.

Lol, 18650 cells are too high profile for this one. I'm using a single cell 2000mah pack from adafruit that happens to use the same connector that's already one the Gemma.

[Hackentosher]

Just now, CUDA_Cores said:

now run it off my 1.45KWh ebike battery. You probably would be able to power the tie for like, forever. 

Yeah by my rough calculations (not including the 10 ohm per foot or inch, not sure, of the wiring) I should be able to get like 40 hours of on time with the pixels and board pulling from that single battery which is about the same capacity of your average 18650, so yeah, 1.74 eternities on your monster.

[iamdarkyoshi]

10 minutes ago, CUDA_Cores said:

now run it off my 1.45KWh ebike battery. You probably would be able to power the tie for like, forever. 

See if you can beat my lithium collection in a couple weeks...

[Hackentosher]

Just now, CUDA_Cores said:

wait a minute, what lithium collection? Are you getting you hands on a bunch of 18650s also or something? 

Where have you been for the past 3~ weeks, it's all he talks about.

[iamdarkyoshi]

28 minutes ago, CUDA_Cores said:

wait a minute, what lithium collection? Are you getting you hands on a bunch of 18650s also or something? 

Oh you bet I am

[NinjaJc01]

Awesome project!

[Hackentosher]

If nothing else, this project will teach me how to judge where something is on the other side of a tie  Currently wiring up the + side of all the Neopixels, hopefully I'll have all of the wiring done by next Monday.