Hi! It's Noob-With-Stupid-Questions time! =)
I'm working on a group costume project that involves chasing lights in a 3-on 1-off marquis, and I just recently learned about e-textiles, soft circuitry, and the Arduino LilyPad -- pretty awesome, exciting stuff! Except that I have only basic electronics experience, and the more I try to think about this, the more my head just wants to explode =( I could use advice on... just about everything.
To start with, for a simple one-color marquis, I figured the LilyPad Simple Board would work? LilyPad Arduino Simple Board - DEV-10274 - SparkFun Electronics
Better yet, I suppose the old one would work just as well? LilyPad Arduino Simple Board (Old-School) - DEV-09725 - SparkFun Electronics
Then, to connect it to my computer so that I can program it, I use this cable? FTDI Cable 5V - DEV-09718 - SparkFun Electronics Or do I need a breakout board? This part is the most confusing to me, I am unclear whether one REPLACES the other or if they are used together.
Then obviously there's the lights themselves. Since the circuit is simple, I was thinking of just sewing a circuit with conductive thread ( Conductive Thread (Thin) - 50' - DEV-10118 - SparkFun Electronics or Conductive Thread (Thick) - 50' - DEV-10120 - SparkFun Electronics ? ) and individually sewing on LEDs. The problem is, the lights will be reaching all the way to our hands and feet -- I'm estimating 200 LEDs for my own costume. (?!?!) I have someone who can help me with working transistors into my design, but I dread the size of the battery pack that may be required. I might mention that we will be DANCING in these costumes (only 3 min)! There are also places where it would be nice to be able to "plug" a piece of the costume into the rest of the circuit -- for example, I have a belt that goes on top of my outfit. I thought about using snaps, but that seems rather clumsy... is there a better way?
Are there further complications I have not yet realized?... or an easier way to do this?? (some kind of string lights that don't cost an arm and a leg...?)
People keep asking me, "Why don't you use chasing Christmas lights?" Is there a way to even do that?? I have never bought any let alone tried taking them apart, so I have no idea how they're wired or if that would work somehow... anyone know offhand? =x
Thank you for your attention! .... I really don't know what I'm doing :~