Haloop

Creator: hfuller Status: v1 complete; v2 pending development Born On: 10:34, 6 September 2016 Last Updated: 20:24, 16 April 2017 (CDT)

Overview

haloop is my take on a programmable LED hula hoop. I made the first one for a good friend of mine who already owned another LED hoop, but would have liked a more easily controllable and customizable version. (Commercially-available hoops currently only allow selection of effect or color, but usually not both.)

This page is just about the physical hoop hardware. The software is called hoopla and is available on github.

Goals

The device should have the following features.

• Able to run full-color effects and animations at dozens of fps
• Bright
• Runtime of at least 45 minutes off of one rechargeable battery (or one set of rechargeable batteries)
• Control of effects from a smartphone or other device with Web browser
• Ability to download updates from the Internet or a computer
• Does not explode

Selected parts

The following parts were used in haloop v1:

• "Natural" Rock Candy Polypro tubing with 3/4" outer (5/8" inner) diameter
  • This was a hoop with 31" diameter.
  • This project would probably be a lot easier if the inner diameter was larger. (You could use a bigger battery, for one thing.)
• Push Button Small (Straight Leg)
  • I got the straight-leg buttons because the page said it would be easier to fit LED stuff with them, but I don't think it's really necessary.
  • If you have bigger-diameter tubing, you will need to get different buttons.
• Inserts for use in 3/4 inch OD polypro/HDPE hoop
  • The "Use In" spec is asking you what the outer diameter of your main-hoop-body tubing is. If you say you'll use it in a 3/4" OD hoop, you will get what amounts to a little section of 5/8" OD tubing.
  • If you have bigger-diameter tubing, you will need to get different inserts.
• 5 meter strip of APA102C ("DotStar") LEDs, 60/m density
  • I bought the kind in the silicone tube, but I had to remove it from the tube to get it to fit.
  • I used just under 2.5 meters for this project.
• ESP-01 module with 1MB of flash
  • 1MB is necessary for OTA. You can't OTA Arduino code with only 512kB of flash.
  • The ESP-01 with the black PCB usually has 1MB of flash.
• 5V "2A" boost converter
  • Might as well just assume it can actually source only 1A...
• UltraFire 14500-size Li-ion batteries
  • Get the protected ones! This is so you don't die in a fiery explosion.
  • This size battery will fit within 5/8" inner-diameter tubing.