Homemade turn indicator attachment!

Ever wanted to convey you intentions to someone behind you?
Now you can! I just spent the last two days building it, and other than a little more velcro it is perfect!
I made a youtube video of it an took some pictures. But it is all way to complicated for me to explain lol... Plus it was pretty expensive... Well only for the micro controller. But other than that it was pretty cheap. Its made out of a hobby box from Radio shack, a seat post mounting (Schwinn) carrier at Wal-Mart, some shelf rails, Lights, 2 6v batteries, and a Parallax Boe Bot (130$).. I only have the boe bot cuz they made us buy it for college classes... It just sits around most of the time. But watch my youtube video and comment please. Criticism is always welcome if constructive!

*And i just rode it and other than a double A falling out, it was great!*

You are completely right!

Here it is; YouTube - Bike Turn Indecators.MOV
Enjoy!

donutguy said:

That's pretty cool....also looks like a lot of work went into it!

My only suggestion...maybe shorten up those indicator arms- they'd be pretty easy to tear off in a tight squeeze or perhaps injures closeby pedestrians.

Something like that is *way* beyond my skill level-so hat's off to your ingenuity!

-George

PS- How much did something like that cost in parts?

Click to expand...

Well, i can see why you would shorten them, but i took that into account. The arms only petrude an inch on the right and left of their respective pedals. And if i had my way i would make them longer... The reason being, if i am riding at night i would like cars to give me the same respect as motorcycles. If they see something with short little blinking lights they might pass it off and come even faster at my hide...


Second part, Cost.
Boe-Bot microcontroller = 130$
Seat carrier deal = 18$
Two rear lights (Together) = 11$
Black hobby box = 10$
Bolts = 5$
2 6v battery packs (Radioshack Clearance) = 1.00$
Double A's = 3$
RTV Silicone = 4$
JB Kwik = 3$
Electrical Connectors = 4$
Dowel Rod = 1$
Electrical tape = 1$
Wire Hider = 4$
Zip Ties =3$
20 gauge wire = 8$
3 Relays = 6$
Drill bits and Socket set = 15$
3 Rocker switches = 13$

Total = 240$

Stuff I already had:
Boe Bot microcontroller = 130$
Most bolts
More electrical tape
Wire
Usb cable
Dremel
Resistors
Programming skills = Invaluable

A little know how...

It only cost me close to 100$ (Which is not bad)



In closing: It was not that had to make it, but i ran into a lot of speed bumps.. Like not finding my drill motor and having to use my dremel... But other than programmin it, it was not that bad and it was and still is alot of fun. And the micro controller can be used for alot of other things like gps or light control or even for make shift ABS (which i might experiment with...) The only thing i wish i had were better batteries... Hope you like it! Ill make another video soon and put it up.

donutguy said:

I have my bike torn apart right at the moment, but here's a video of my rear light set-up

Yeah, it looks like a nuclear meltdown but people slow way down when they pass me

-George

Click to expand...

How did you make them Flash?

donutguy said:

That is the result of several blinkies mounte on the rear, the frame and handlebar ends all running at the same time. I also have a blinkie mounted on my helmet and wear a reflective vest at night.

If someone hits me, it ain't because they didn't see me.

Click to expand...

I resorted to making my own because i didnt know where to get the blinky circuits... Did you just buy them from Wal-Mart?

lolitsdaelan said:

Cool build, but OMG $240!?!?!?

Seriously???

You can buy Atmel micros for 2 bucks a piece, if not cheaper. Or if you want a dev board, the Arduino kits are only $30 for the simpler boards.

Click to expand...

I probably could but i already had the Boe-Bot, so it only cost me hardware.....
and i can put a GPS chip and all kinds of sensors on it as well....

wbelyeu said:

i am new to this forum this actually my first post. i like your rear light set up. you obviously have some knowledge of lighting and system componets. the bike you see as my pic is my new baby. i have only had her about 1 month fresh build all new parts. i really want a light set on it so i have been playing around with some ideas. could you give some feed back on my idea? i found a couple 6v flashers so i wired them with toggle switches on the ground wires. each side is indipendant from the other. they run from a nicad rechargeable battery to the toggle switch to the 6v light mounted in a motorcycle carbon fiber turn signal housing. its pretty low tech but on a full charge the battery seems to last a few hours with them on all the time. i figured with this set up i could use one system for signals and a whole nother set up for brake and head light just with a higher volt set up. do you think i will have many problems out of this set up.

Click to expand...

Actually, you sound like you have the right idea.. I am using relays for mine so i can combine my 2 6v packs to one 12v source. But i have an LED brake light that runs off of 6v, so i used a relay to connect to one pack instead of 2.. But other than that it sounds like you know what you are doing. Im also using a car headlight on mine but i think i am going to change it out (Draws too much current). But good luck and def. post a youtube video when you get the chance or take some pictures. Good luck!

I was not very familiar with C++ so i could not use an adruino, but by now, i have found out that there are circuits that make this flashing. A flex sensor is a great idea even if you can get a small pressure sensor and put it on the handle itself... That way, even if you have your hand on the brake, the lights show up

It took quite a while to build... Just be careful if you use relays like i did, for they tend to chatter and make a sporadic connection which makes your lights crazy. I also agree with the black. But if i were to do it again, i would put on my smaller shelf arms... I kept bumping it when I would dismount. and they were a bit wide... Twas nice though...

I just wanted to build something original and multipurposed using what I learned in College, although for something that cheap, you cant beat it... I MAY just buy one.....