Twinkle Zodiac Constellation

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Contributors: Feldi
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Understanding Your Circuit

Before we put our parts to fabric, let's take a look at the LEDs and battery holder. Notice that the silver sew tabs are labeled either positive or negative. Many electronic components like these have polarity, meaning electric current can only flow through them in one direction.

LED Polarity

If hooked up incorrectly, they will not light up. Batteries are also polarized; they have a positive and negative side. Always check the labels on LilyPad pieces to make sure they are correctly oriented before sewing together a circuit.

LED Constellation

The following diagram illustrates the circuit you will be following for your constellation hoop. Notice how the LEDs have been grouped into 3 sets. No matter how many LEDs are included in your design, you will want to divide them into three groups as shown. The '-' tab of every single LED in your constellation connects to the rest with conductive thread, as well as the '-' tab on the LilyPad Tiny and the '-' tab on the battery holder.

The '+' tabs will be treated differently. For each group of LEDs, you will connect all the '+' tabs inside that group with conductive thread, and then connect them to either pins 0, 1, or 3. We are not using pin 2 as the animation is not ideal for this design. This configuration is an example of LEDs in a parallel circuit. For power, you will also need to connect the '+' tab of the battery to the '+' tab of the LilyTiny.

Also, notice that the battery holder and LilyTiny are dulled out in our circuit diagram. That is because they will lie on the backside of your fabric with the LEDs on the top side.

Zodia LilyPad