Dear fellows FastLed users!!!
I have a new project to deal with. Bassically I want to make something like a light leather jacket. I need some advice about which is the best option in terms type of LEDs, controller and batteries. I have no experience at all and I want to make something cool. Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Well I think it depends on what you want to do exactly. Are you talking a fully covered leather jacket with LEDs or a strip down the arms? Highlights around the collar? The number of LEDs will dictate a lot in the construction. Also you have to consider how you’re going to attach the LEDs to leather. I would assume some form of glue because sewing leather is really difficult. How long will the LEDs to lit? Do you want the LEDs to all do the same thing or do you want some to do one pattern while others do something else? Just some questions to get you considering how to move forward.
Eventually, all clothing needs to be cleaned… so I wouldn’t permanently attach any LEDs or wiring if at all possible. Personally, at this point in my experience, if I was going to do a leather jacket I’d find a piece of leather that matches the color of the jacket and use that to create a panel for the back and two panels for the front (left and right). Then I’d get some metal snaps on the jacket and panels so they could be put on and removed. This will also make it far easier to build in the first place, and repair later if needed.
You could then use some nice grommets to make clean rip-free holes for wires.
To begin with, you could probably keep the battery in one pocket and the controller in another. If you like what you have, you can later sew pouches in the jacket to hold the battery and controller.
Your batterty choice will depend on how many LEDs you want to use, how bright you want to display them, and how long they need to be on between charges.
@Tim_Lukasik Strips bassically
@allanGEE Thanks for your advice, it seems like you have a huge experience
@Jose_Manuel I’ve put regular LEDs in clothing/hats, but not any RGB addressable LEDs (yet!). I just remember thinking as I spent hours putting wires and LEDs in place, that they wouldn’t last seconds in the laundry. Everyone sweats and everyone spills! Most of my FastLED projects have been modular. For example, (rigid) wearable panels that strap on top of whatever I’m wearing. I’m even installing my current exterior house lights in sections that can be removed – in case I need to repair them in the future.
For the back of a jacket, you also have to consider if you’ll be sitting down and leaning back on it. That would put a lot of pressure on the strips. If you want a lot of flexibility and durability, you might want to go through the extra work (LOTS of extra work) of using individual LEDs, and connecting them with stranded wire (instead of solid core). That way the wire can do all the flexing.
Ive made a few ties using WS2812B strips. I used the silicon sheathing and sealed both ends to waterproof them. Also went ahead and covered all the components on my custom PCB to prevent corrosion so if i need to clean my ties all i need to do is unplug the battery and not have to worry about my precious components corroding. But i put everything inside the tie so nothing shows outside unless the lights are on. Hope this helps.
@allanGEE
Thanks a lot my friend!!. Very useful advice
@Cristian_Martinez
Thanks a lot. I’ll keep you all informed about my progress