Waterproof wearable wiring

Community Projects
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Hi! First post, I’m excited to see where this goes.

I have a wearable project I’m planning out, already have purchases most of the LilyPad components, but two issues have me stumped, relating to the LED lighting. I have 0 experience sewing, and only a bit of electronics experience, so I’ll need some guidance. I hope this is the right place.

The project is for LEDs (like https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12664) mounted onto a commuter backpack. The backpack is currently quite water-resistant with a lining and cordura.

PROBLEM 1: If I want all the electronics to be located INSIDE the backpack, how do I let the LEDs poke through without losing the waterproof quality of the backpack? What are my options? I’m open to learning any skill I might need, but I’ll need some guidance to figure out the best approach.

PROBLEM 2: From what I’ve learned, the LilyPad operates from around 3.7V to a max of 5.5 V 150mA. I"m not sure if this is enough power to draw the kind of luminosity I’m hoping to achieve. If I need to use a secondary power source to power the lights, while controlling them using the LilyPad arduino, what’s the simplest circuit that I could use to achieve this? And are there any considerations (such as resistance or other things I barely comprehend) that I should know about or educate myself on?

Sorry, I know experts hate these vague “I’m totally lost” questions, but ya gotta start somewhere, and here I am.

Thanks to all those who take the time to share their knowledge!

Tom

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I would suggest you head over to https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials and read every article on wearables. After that, you can check out the same stuff at the Adafruit site. You’ll get a lot more information a lot faster that way. Then, come back here with your remaining questions.

For problem 1, you’re going to have to poke holes in the backpack.

For problem 2, Neopixels will work fine when powered by a 3.7V LiPoly cell. There are dozens of example projects on the Adafruit site that demonstrate that. Be sure to read https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neo … e?view=all

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Thanks Darell, though I daresay your response is somewhat short of the warm introduction for a newbie I was hoping to receive, though I see your point. RTFM and all that.

Regarding your answers:

  1. Of course. The question becomes one of: how do I prevent water from getting IN the backpack through the holes?

  2. You’re right, neopixels will work powered by 3.7V, but HOW MANY before the luminosity becomes an issue? I intend to have a fair amount and high visibility is a concern, hence my thought that a higher voltage would help.

Thank you,

Tom