Safer Turn Signals

by CacophonousCreations in Circuits > Sensors

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Safer Turn Signals

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WARNING: This is my first Instructable. If you have tips on how to make it better, I'd love to read them.


This will tell you how to connect Aniomagic's Sparkle kit with a push switch to help you make more visible turn signals. The push switch allows for the circuit to only close when it's pressed (thereby preventing me from wrecking due to being distracted by blinky lights while riding)

Supplies:
Sparkle kit from Aniomagic
Push switch from Aniomagic
Conductive thread
Pre-owned bike glove
Needle
Scissors
1216 battery (if you're ordering it from Aniomagic, it's the 'small' battery)
on/off switch battery holder from Aniomagic
Fray check

Optional (and not pictured):
Wire glue from ThinkGeek. I used it on the top of the glove to help make up for my longer than they should have been stitches between components.
Fabric paint to help prolong the wear of the conductive thread on the inside of the glove.

Connect the Sequins

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Decide what pattern you want your sequins to be in.

Notes:
The sequins are alternating silver-> gold -> positive component connection on the sparkle board. This allows you to access the sparkle pattern.

Smaller stitches work better on stretchable fabric, and help prevent variances in resistance of the conductive thread that can cause things not to work so well.

To ensure your knot stays tied, put a dot of Fray Check on it before cutting the excess thread.

Connect 2 sequins in the alternating fashion on each side of the Sparkle board, and the Chooser on the right side.
-The 3rd sequin on the right of the Sparkle board was replaced later with the Chooser.

For more information on why to alternate the sequins and how to create different light patterns, visit Aniomagic's site.


Connect the Push Switch & Battery Holder

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Connect the negative hole on the Sparkle board to the top bit of conductive fabric from the push switch.

The negative hole on the battery holder connects to the bottom strip of conductive fabric on the push switch.

The positive hole on the battery holder is connected to the positive hole on the Sparkle board.

Finished!

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When all is said and done, you should have something like this: