Build your LED Cycling Vest: Safety & Visibility

Cycling has become a popular form of transportation and exercise in modern cities. With this, the importance of guaranteeing the visibility and safety of cyclists has become more relevant. This is where LED cycling vests come into play.

These vests, beyond being simple vests with LED lights , offer a unique combination of technology and design that benefits those who wear them. Let's see some of its most outstanding features:

Characteristics of vests with LED lights for cyclists

1. Reflective vest with LED lights: More than just lights, these vests incorporate highly reflective materials that, in combination with the LED lights, ensure that the cyclist is seen from any angle.
2. Safety vest with LED lights: Some models integrate advanced functions, such as braking alerts and direction signals, thus acting as true security systems in motion.
3. Vest with directional LED lights and remote control for cyclists: Innovation does not stop. Now there are vests that allow the cyclist to signal their movements by means of a remote control, indicating whether they are going to turn or stop.

But what if you wanted to make one yourself? Here's how you can create your own homemade reflective vest with LED lights .

HOW I BUILD AN LED VEST FOR CYCLISTS: A STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL!

Starting a project to build your own LED vest can be a rewarding and educational experience. The basic components include high-brightness LEDs, a power source (such as rechargeable batteries), and of course, a reflective vest to which to attach the lights.

COMPONENT SELECTION

Before we dive into the build, it's crucial to choose the right components. If you are new to this, don't worry, here is a table with the components I used, their function and the reason for their choice:

CIRCUIT DESIGN

Beginner's Tip: Before connecting anything, always read the instructions or guides for the components. Sometimes a simple mistake can cause a component to burn.

1. Defining the behavior of LEDs: For newbies, there are specific online tutorials on how to program an Arduino to control LEDs. Search for "basic Arduino LED tutorial" in your favorite search engine.

2. Current Flow: If you have never worked with electronics, imagine that current is like water flowing in a river. Too much current (water) can damage your components (flood the ground).

3. Wireless communication: There are modules that come with code examples, which makes it much easier to implement.

4. Breadboard and PCB: If it's your first time, the breadboard will be your best friend. It allows you to connect components without soldering, which is ideal for experimenting and learning.

INTEGRATION WITH THE VEST

The integration of the circuit with the vest is a crucial step that determines not only the functionality but also the aesthetics and comfort of the final product. Here's a more detailed breakdown of how I did it:

1. Positioning the LEDs: Before you fix anything, it's important to decide where you want the LEDs to go. To maximize visibility, it is recommended to place them on both the front and back of the vest.

2. Fixing the LEDs: Once the positioning has been decided, you can start fixing the LEDs. If you know how to sew, you can sew them directly to the vest. For those without sewing skills, using adhesive slipcovers or fabric glue may be an alternative.

3. Connections and wiring: It is essential that the cables are neat and secure. You can sew little sleeves or use tape to keep the cables attached to the vest.

4. Integration of the battery and the wireless module: These two components must be easily accessible. The battery, being heavier, it is better to place it in a low part of the vest to maintain balance.

5. Comfort and mobility: After integrating all the components, try the vest on. Move your arms, lean over, simulate the position you adopt when riding your bike.

COSTS AND TIME INVESTED

Creating a custom LED vest can vary in cost and time depending on where you source your materials and your experience building circuitry. Let's see what we would spend...

1. Costs of Materials: The initial investment for the components can be between $50 and $100 dollars, depending on the quality and the brand you choose.

2. Tools: If you already have basic electronic tools such as a soldering iron, breadboard and cables, you are ready to start. If not, consider an additional $20 to $50 for a basic kit.

3. Time: If you are a beginner, I would recommend taking a weekend to complete this project. The first day to design and solder the circuit, and the second day to integrate it into the vest and carry out tests.

DETAILED COSTS OF COMPONENTS

One of the most common questions when thinking about building a led light vest for cyclists is how much it is going to cost. Here is a detailed list of the components and their respective prices, based on a general estimate of the market:

1. Arduino : Approximately $25. He's the brains behind the whole vest. Although there are cheaper versions, I would recommend going with a good quality one to ensure optimum performance.
2. LEDs : A pack of 50 LEDs can cost around $10. These are essential to ensure the visibility of the vest.
3. Resistors : A variety pack typically retails for $5. It is vital to control the flow of current to the LEDs.
4. Rechargeable battery : Depending on the capacity and the brand, the price can vary between $15 and $30. It is important to choose one that offers a good duration.
5. Wireless Module : These modules have a fairly wide price range, but a decent model can cost around $20. It is essential if you are thinking of a vest with directional led lights and remote control for cyclists.

Estimated Total : Between $75 and $90.

It is important to mention that these prices may vary depending on the country, the store and the offers available. Also, if you decide to go with higher quality components or additional features, the total cost could increase.

TESTS AND ADJUSTMENTS

Proper testing is essential to ensure that your LED vest is not only working properly, but is also safe and durable.

1. LED Intensity: Once the vest was assembled, I adjusted the intensity of the LEDs to make sure they were bright enough to be seen at night, but not so bright that they would dazzle other drivers or pedestrians.
2. Water Resistance Testing: Since riders are likely to deal with rain or morning dew, I sprayed the vest with water to ensure that the electronics were well protected and that the vest would continue to function properly after getting wet.
3. Durability and wear test: I used the vest on several bike rides to test the durability of the connections and the resistance of the LEDs. This also helped me identify if components were coming loose with movement and if connections were holding tight during heavy use.
4. Battery Life Assessment: I measured how long the battery lasted with the LEDs on at full power, then ran tests at different intensity levels to determine the best setting to balance visibility and battery life.
5. Comfort and Fit: I invited riding friends to try the vest on to get feedback on how it felt to wear. This helped me make adjustments to the placement of the battery and other components to maximize comfort.

CONCLUSION

Getting my hands on a functional LED vest and knowing that it could improve the safety of cyclists filled me with satisfaction. This project reaffirms the importance of innovation for the safety of those who decide to move on two wheels.

Are you young and would you like to try making one yourself? Don't wait any longer, get to work! And if you need more guidance or advice, search for tutorials online or join electronics hobbyist forums.

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