LED vest

[Machina]

It's crunch time. I have been busy this week...

[media]

Just got this "officially working" tonight. Need to create modes and patterns, add a button to switch between modes, and somehow sew the lining on (working precariously around the wires).

Do you think the TSA is gonna have a problem with the fact that it's, oh you know, a vest, with plentiful wiring inside of it?

[Elliot]

Yes.

[Machina]

Yes.

Hmmm.

Somehow I can't picture a happy and effective way to explain what it is to the TSA.

I wonder if I can courier it from Canada to my hotel in the U.S. It would still have to go through customs at the border though.

[Elliot]

Don't know how to solve it, but surely many other burners face the same issue. I'm guessing it can be cleared for takeoff, but I would definitely not just show up with it. Best of luck!

[Gazmatron]

In my experience TSA will be fine with the electronics. Just remember that if you are using LiPo batteries, they have to be carried in hand/cabin baggage (very important!). I've carried all sorts of electronics through customs with no problems. I always mention I have batteries (or whatever) to the security staff and ask if they would like them placing in separate baskets at the scanner. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't... but I figure it's best to be open about it.

[VultureChow]

I once asked the same thing of Junglesmacks who has created many wonderful blinkie clothing. At least I think it was him. He got it through security by explaining it to security as he's going through. DO NOT WEAR IT.

Just like you are supposed to do with all electronics, take it out of your bag and put in in a separate bin. You can explain as you go through you've got a light up costume going through. Be prepared to show them how it works. And to have your bag searched. Leave a little extra time. Be polite.

Or you can check it. I checked my el wire coat and though they opened and inspected it, there was no delay.

Or you can ship it.

[Machina]

In my experience TSA will be fine with the electronics. Just remember that if you are using LiPo batteries, they have to be carried in hand/cabin baggage (very important!). I've carried all sorts of electronics through customs with no problems. I always mention I have batteries (or whatever) to the security staff and ask if they would like them placing in separate baskets at the scanner. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't... but I figure it's best to be open about it.

THANKS for this little tidbit! This gives me hope.

I was definitely planning on checking it. My significant other suggested that we put all the electronics/LED costume stuff in one suitcase, check it, and just anticipate that they'll probably open and search it. There is nothing "bad" for them to find (other than the fact that a wired vest may look kinda bad on an x-ray) so hopefully they will make it through...

[Gazmatron]

Yeah, I'd would go with the checked option. Last year I brought an LED jacket from the UK with all sorts of extra bits for spares and repair, gas soldering iron (no gas in it obviously), multi-meters and so on. When I collected my checked bag it had a tag to say it had been searched, and when I opened it they had clearly gone through it very thoroughly. My only concern was they they might have damaged something during the search, but it was fine.

[kiss-o-matic]

Officially 100% awesome. I had some suspenders like this, and I learned a lot (the hard way) about velcro, battery packs, and gravity... I should make sure they work though and take them just in case. I was toying w/ various LED clothing options this year but decided I couldn't get them together in time.

For future reference, how tricky is it going to be to do the lining? What LEDs are you using, and do those "plugs" from strip to strip come with them or did you make them? One of my biggest woes for the LEDs on my bicycle in the default world is I had to solder the strips, and they eventually come undone.

[Machina]

The LEDs came in a strip from China (they are called "WS2812B" 5 volt); you could cut the strip to whatever lengths you want, so I did, and then soldered them back together. The plugs didn't come with them - they're from a local electronics store. I added them so that I can detached the controller/battery back. I want to sew a little pocket into the back of the vest to hold the battery pack/controller - velcro didn't work out well for me on the playa last year.

I am waiting on a button that my boyfriend ordered online for me before I finish it and sew the lining on, and I think the lining is probably going to be more than a bit tricky, i.e., I suspect I'll only be able to do so much with a sewing machine and the rest will have to be by hand. We'll see.

Less than two weeks to go... good thing the best work sometimes happens at the last minute, lol.

[kiss-o-matic]

I hear ya -- I've pulled out all kinds of kung-fu this last week.
I see Adafruit sells the pugs, that go w/ their strips of LEDs. Their LED strips have also come way down in cost... kind of matching what they'd cost from China (just doing the math quickly in my head).

Let us know how the lining comes out. I've got a couple of ideas and I'm hoping I find the initiative to jump in there and get started early next year. I need all the time I can get, considering how bad I suck at sewing.

EDIT: +1 for the pocket idea. The velcro just doesn't work that well once you get your boogie on.

[Machina]

If you can find a really basic vest pattern, it's fairly easy to sew. I found the pattern in a used patterns rack at the local second-hand store. I made a coat earlier this year (without lights), and it was insanity. The vest is simple!

I got the lights from a shop on Alibaba and I think they were about $15 total, so definitely check that out!

[kiss-o-matic]

Sounds like the strip I got last year. I used Alibaba...direct from China.

I've actually done 3 vests. One is skin tight so I'm sure all the dudes will love it. Haha. The other two, a bit better. All were w/o pattern... just followed some measuring guidelines, and did one practice run on cheap fabric (which was definitely worth doing). I will try to do the same thing w/ a coat... I have a goofy shaped body, and the few times I've tried things w/ a pattern, it is nowhere near the cut I want.

[Machina]

Sweet! Do you have pics of the finished products? I love seeing other peoples' projects - gives me inspiration.

My vest is nearly done. I'm just painstakingly hand-sewing the seams around the arms. I wasn't able to sew them with the machine.

[cherryblossom73]

Officially 100% awesome.

I have to wholeheartedly agree!! I love it!

I made a couple of super simple shrugs with faux fur and a few short strings of battery operated LED xmas lights. Not anything fancy, but it fit the bill for quick, easy, and bright.

I hope we run into each other out there...I'd love to see your creations in person!

[nixiebunny]

I wore this http://www.cathodecorner.com/videocoat/ into the Detroit airport after leaving the Maker Faire there two years ago. It was, shall we say, interesting. I was asked by an airport policeman to pack it and check it, and then my whole family got SSSS searched, but they were happy to let me bring my eight flammable, unprotected, easy-to-plug-into-each-other HobbyKing LiPo packs on board.

[Machina]

Officially 100% awesome.

I have to wholeheartedly agree!! I love it!

I made a couple of super simple shrugs with faux fur and a few short strings of battery operated LED xmas lights. Not anything fancy, but it fit the bill for quick, easy, and bright.

I hope we run into each other out there...I'd love to see your creations in person!

I will totally keep my eye open for a pink LED dress

[Machina]

I wore this http://www.cathodecorner.com/videocoat/ into the Detroit airport after leaving the Maker Faire there two years ago. It was, shall we say, interesting. I was asked by an airport policeman to pack it and check it, and then my whole family got SSSS searched, but they were happy to let me bring my eight flammable, unprotected, easy-to-plug-into-each-other HobbyKing LiPo packs on board.

Holy crap. You went ALL OUT. I think I can expect to get searched based on everything I've heard, but, as long as they don't actually TAKE anything from me or prevent me from entering the U.S., I'll be one happy burner!

[Machina]

ALMOST DONE. Just doing some hand finishing on the liner, because I'm nit-picky, and going to work with the bf to come up with a few more modes... but I think overall, it's better than I expected!

[media]

[strange love]

Looks awesome! Nice work (:

[kiss-o-matic]

Sweet! Do you have pics of the finished products?(

Kinda missed this thread.
I have a picture of the fur one on a working phone w/ a busted screen. So, that's kinda useless. I'll try to dig one up and show it... if not, I'll post a during-burn pic.

Pretty happy with them considering how many things I've done (almost none) and that they're actually wearable. Lots to learn though.

I love seeing other peoples' projects - gives me inspiration.

Most def! I didn't get LED friendly this year due to time constraints, but I think I'm going to have to go over the top next year. Will definitely be eye-balling this pic in the coming months.

Just doing some hand finishing on the liner, because I'm nit-picky, and going to work with the bf to come up with a few more modes... but I think overall, it's better than I expected!

Well, glad to hear that it was line-able. You should definitely be proud of it. It's dope. The modes can be annoying. I know a decent amount of C, but the lack of logging requires tons of trial and error.

[Machina]

It's all done, it has new modes (thanks to my boyfriend's programming skillz), and in a few hours, I'm flying with it... we'll see how this goes, lol. The bf made a vest, hat, and gauntlets, and they're all in the same suitcase... so I'm sure this is gonna be *FUN*!

[BBadger]

Sounds like the strip I got last year. I used Alibaba...direct from China.

Remember that when you cite buying something from Alibaba that you're buying from a seller on Alibaba. It's like buying from a particular eBay store. Transactions can go wrong in both cases, and it's helpful if you list exactly whom you dealt with.

[kiss-o-matic]

Sounds like the strip I got last year. I used Alibaba...direct from China.

Remember that when you cite buying something from Alibaba that you're buying from a seller on Alibaba. It's like buying from a particular eBay store. Transactions can go wrong in both cases, and it's helpful if you list exactly whom you dealt with.

Yep, I know... but there seems to be more "direct from the factory" deals... at least the few times I've looked (and it's indeed few).

[Machina]

Update: The boyfriend and I packed an entire suitcase full of LED costumes (two vests, a tutu, a hat, a tie, and gauntlets) with the intention of checking it. We showed up at the airport super early in anticipation of the full search (which we've received before - U.S. customs clearance in Edmonton takes place in Canada, strangely). We were through customs and security in like 12 minutes. I've NEVER been through so quickly before.

Luggage came through without a problem. When we opened it? Nothing, no sign it had even been touched. YAY!!!

[kiss-o-matic]

Congrats. Now, tell me about this LED Tutu.

I've decided I'm not going to dick around until July to get my clothes ready. There might even be an event or two here I can proto-type some stuff. I have a handful of ideas w/ LEDs but not sure if they're feasible once I get my groove on.

[FinBot]

Awesome.

I made one almost the same!

[Monkeystyle]

Awesome.

I made one almost the same!

not that I have any of the tech skills to pull these off, but for asking sake, how much did they cost to make?

[Gazmatron]

Awesome.

I made one almost the same!

Awesome work Finbot! How did you get the transitions to look so smooth - you got some sort of diffuser film in there?

[bluemiragemi]

ahhh that is SO COOL. What a beautiful vest! You should be uber proud