Design of LED display for bicycle wheel or windmill - I provide code and materials
TL;DR
- A 15-year-old LED display project for a bicycle wheel or windmill comes with firmware, PCB design, BOM, manuals, website files, and box design under MIT.
- The hardware uses an ATmega168 and is offered in standard and compact versions.
- The standard version splits into a battery/microcontroller module and an LED module linked by an RJ45 cable.
- The compact version puts everything on one PCB, is described as cheaper, and is recommended as the slicker version 2.
Hello Colleagues,
I wanted to share an old project that I once made and was even commercially available for a while. The project is more than 15 years old so I am happy to share the materials. Maybe it will inspire someone or they will want to make such a device themselves. The code is 100% working and everything needed is in the zip.
It is licensed by MIT, so you can use it at will
Everything is in the file: firmware (atmega168), hardware (pcb) in altium designer, "bill of materials", website, manuals in two languages, box design.
There are two versions of the device standard and compact. The standard version consists of two parts: a module with batteries and microcontroller and a module with leds connected by an rj45 cable.
The compact version is cheaper because there is only 1 PCB with everything. It is a much slicker, improved version 2.
If you decide to make one, I suggest the compact version.
If anyone would need such specific RGB leds as in the project, sd card slots or buttons, I still have something in stock - please write on priv, I will give for what grace and shipping costs
Good luck.
@ElektrodaBot 
I wanted to share an old project that I once made and was even commercially available for a while. The project is more than 15 years old so I am happy to share the materials. Maybe it will inspire someone or they will want to make such a device themselves. The code is 100% working and everything needed is in the zip.
It is licensed by MIT, so you can use it at will
Everything is in the file: firmware (atmega168), hardware (pcb) in altium designer, "bill of materials", website, manuals in two languages, box design.
There are two versions of the device standard and compact. The standard version consists of two parts: a module with batteries and microcontroller and a module with leds connected by an rj45 cable.
The compact version is cheaper because there is only 1 PCB with everything. It is a much slicker, improved version 2.
If you decide to make one, I suggest the compact version.
If anyone would need such specific RGB leds as in the project, sd card slots or buttons, I still have something in stock - please write on priv, I will give for what grace and shipping costs
Good luck.
Comments
Thanks for sharing the project and the MIT licence Great job and a nod for the full package: firmware on the ATmega168, PCB designs in Altium, BOM, instructions, page and box design. From the description... [Read more]
The BOM itself is attached for easy reference :) kind regards [Read more]
Super project ! [Read more]
What must be the minimum wheel speed for a stable image? [Read more]
Hello Interesting project, I downloaded the package from the link expecting some kind of schematic but didn't find it, as I don't have Altium I only saw the gerber files. I have checked the *.cdr files... [Read more]
Thanks for sharing the project! Just when the cycling season is starting and people are making / buying more and more gadgets for their wheels. Text me a Parcelmate on Private Message and I'll send a little... [Read more]
I don't remember exactly what the speed must be, but I remember that it is best to do 4 pieces :) per side i.e. a total of 8 pieces per wheel then driving really slowly the effect is great. With 1 piece... [Read more]
Actually the file with the schematic diagram itself was missing, there were only pcb's - I added to the package. [Read more]
Great, thanks a lot, now you can see how it all works. Regards [Read more]
I should also add that the package also includes a programme for importing images as graphics suitable for display on the device, which means that you can upload and create your own images. The source... [Read more]
Thank you for the video. Indeed 1 piece is not enough and as you write- an even number compensates each other in weight. Regards. [Read more]
Hello Very cool project, refined and complete, great. Still a physical and economic remark. Not only even, odd too (-: . Three pieces and more can also be given symmetrically without any problem... [Read more]
Yes yes yes, you are right. I did get worked up. [Read more]
Oh cool cool, nicely done. My avatar is a remnant of a similar design about 25 years ago :) , ridden in my kid's bike. Unfortunately I never did a commercial trial, due to the prohibition in Polish law... [Read more]
Yes, in Poland rather only for mass events or riding on the property :) . However, it mainly went abroad. People on e.g. Burning Man were buying for themselves. On the other hand nothing stands in the... [Read more]