I'm gonna make a DeLorean.....dress. (LilyPad help?)

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I’m a cosplayer and I’m somewhat known in my social circle for wearing numerous different outfits inspired by the TARDIS from Doctor Who. In keeping with this “Tori cosplays vehicles” theme, my boyfriend and I thought it would be amazing to go to a con this summer as Marty McFly and the trusty(?) DeLorean time machine.

Making a kick-ass, shiny, silver, 80’s-inspired dress I can handle. It’s installing the GAZILLION lights that is proving to be more daunting. I am really, really intrigued by the idea of e-textiles but I’m a writer, crafter, and seamstress by trade…computer programming is not really in my skillset, even if I do like do consider myself moderately tech savvy.

Basically I want to have numerous strings (10 or more lights, most likely) of blue LEDs running along various areas of the garment like the skirt hem, the sleeves (which will be constructed to suggest the distinct doors), etc. Since I want these lights to be steady, I’m thinking that means I probably don’t need to hook them up to a LilyPad board (since they aren’t DOING)…but how would I connect and power them all? What kind of power source should I use? How many can I put in a string before the circuit doesn’t work? I know almost nothing about how electrical circuits work. D:

And then, of course, there’s the really complicated bit…I have to build a flux capacitor into this thing, of course. I’m going to build it into the front bodice of the dress and my thought is to use clear plastic tubing and hardware supplies for the aesthetics (not hard) and running white LEDs through the tubing…and I would love to be able to get those lights to cycle like the actual prop. But what kind of LEDs would work there? could I use the LilyPad LEDs or would that look all wrong? If other lights would work better how would I hook them up to a LilyPad so I can program them to cycle in the right pattern? How would I even do that programming? Is there a way I could get away with using one of the LilyTiny boards since I think the full LilyPad is a little over my head right now?

Sorry that I’m a total dunce about all of this…I’m really eager to learn though! :smiley:

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For the static lights any string of LEDs will do. Choose what is easiest to work with. LEDs require about 2 to 3 volts and about 10 to 20 mA depending on the particular LED chosen. You can share the volts by wiring them all in parallel but that’s a lot of wires. Or you can share the current (mA) by wiring them all in series but then you need a higher voltage source. If you share the volts then the currents sum and you need a battery with that capacity. If you share the current, then the voltages sum. Be careful as the voltages get higher! Some mix of parallel and series is probably a good compromise. Something like parallel strings of six or eight LEDs. There is no one right answer here because it’s all trade offs.

For the flux capacitor take a look at the addressable LED strings. There are tutorials that describe how to wire them up. You should be able to achieve the effect you are looking for. Some are already in plastic tubing.

Sounds like a fun project. Good luck with it.

  • Chip

PS. Post pictures or it never happened! :wink:

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Agreed on all points made by uChip. You could get addressable LED strings so you can make the LEDs exactly like the real movie prop. Also, the flux capacitor box would be a great place to store all you’re electronics and batteries. With all the LEDs, you will need a pretty good sized battery, probably needs to be a LiPo. Thinking in the 3S or 4S would probably be better. Prototype all your electronics and determine what current you need and choose your battery accordingly.

I would also search Google as I have seen the Flux cap. built many times.