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Best device(s) for this cosplay

Amethyst

I'm assuming many of us here are gamers, and I don't have a better clue where I'd put this. I plan to make a Samus cosplay, from Metroid. Not dedicated to one yet, but thinking Varia suit. 

I have honestly been planning this for many years, but funding left me lacking. On that note, I'm thinking of a Patreon or something, but not sure what rewards would be. Off-topic from the site, but feel free to give ideas!

For the main topic, I'd previously planned to use a mini RasPi and maybe a PICAxe, but an restarting my design with a clearer head:  but I fell behind on tech and don't know what's available. Here's the list I'd like to try to include if you have clever ideas to add, I'm all ears!

-An intake and exhaust fan in the helmet, like RasPi mini fans (5v), for temperature and breathing. I plan to fit these in the "ears" of the helmet that the hoses attach to.

-Some kind of screen in the helmet that can tell me information from the board. Looking at battery level, temperature, and possibly proximity sensor information.

I'm not sure how I can implement this though. I was previously thinking of an oLED display in the past, but they were expensive. I'm wondering if it's possible to create a reflection display off the helmet "glass" (acrylic) over the face? I've seen it work on car windshields, but what am I looking for?

-Some kind of "life form" detection I can use, eg infrared or other ideas? I would feed that input into my display.

Arm Blaster:

-Ice Beam using compressed air, unless there's a good electronic alternative? 

-Ping pong or Airsoft pellets. Which would be cheaper to build? Doesn't need to be high pressure, of course. 

-Fireballs by flash paper and cotton with a glow plug. Suggestions on safest way to control it? Not sure I want a 12v stepper in my arm cannon, not sure if a lower voltage would do the job?

Overall, what electronics do you think are the best ideas to try for something like this that's generally low power, but collectively can be demanding?

The suit is planned to be built with overlapping panels, eg outer thigh strapping over inner thigh armor. I will probably hot glue the wires on the outside of the lower layers and use connectors for LED wiring and any possible sensors I may use (eg motion sensor for behind me). Looking for what your experience is on best budget connectors for that.

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  • I'd consider making things modular to keep the battery size down and interconnections minimal. Button batteries can be used where power consumption isnt high. 

    I'd leave the fans on continuously to simplify things, maybe have a OFF switch when its not being worn. Get some slow itty bitty ones unless you are planning to have fight scenes with John Wick. 

    The trim could use WS2812 LED strings. They do hog power, but have the best flexibility, you can do rainbow effects or have the colors change, or variable flashing and dimming. 

  • in reply to robogary

    Thanks for the feedback! I'll definitely look into the LEDs! For the interconnections, I actually have multiple reasons for this method that you may find clever!

    First, I'm AuDHD, and will not constantly be looking to see if certain lights or on (that's just a mental drain). I don't want to risk a photo with someone that one leg died without us noticing, or them being nice. I also don't want to have to access these compartments to change them, or carry multiple batteries in case. 

    In fact, I plan to run all of these from a single battery in my back: I'm undecided if one of my large 5V packs I used for robotics, or a higher voltage battery. I grew up in karate exercising with a medicine ball, and used to section hike the Appalachian Trail with 60lbs in my pack. I def appreciate the alternative, but my bigger concern is how I would want to safely attach one to my back. That's leaning me towards my huge 5V USB battery, but I've not calculated if I'm going over 2.1A yet.

    The helmet power, I agree with just keeping it on: The Kiss Method. I plan to have it connect to the battery as well, so it's only on while connected.

  • in reply to Amethyst

    ROFL - I had built a robot costume out of cardboard awhile ago. It was Transformer-ish with big lower legs, I used a SWAT utility belt to mount the batteries on my waist.........qty 2 scooter batteries, 12V 7000mAhr each. 

    I wore the costume at a science museum haunted halloween night. The exhibit included a scary dark room withlittle things that go bump in the night. I couldn't see well while wearing my robot helmet with tinted visor, so turned on all the lights on the costume at once. It lit the room up way better than with its normal lighting. The legs had 2 foot long white LED strips meant for automotive applications.  That really agitated the guy running the dark room, exposing all the nooks and hiding places :-)  

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  • in reply to Amethyst

    ROFL - I had built a robot costume out of cardboard awhile ago. It was Transformer-ish with big lower legs, I used a SWAT utility belt to mount the batteries on my waist.........qty 2 scooter batteries, 12V 7000mAhr each. 

    I wore the costume at a science museum haunted halloween night. The exhibit included a scary dark room withlittle things that go bump in the night. I couldn't see well while wearing my robot helmet with tinted visor, so turned on all the lights on the costume at once. It lit the room up way better than with its normal lighting. The legs had 2 foot long white LED strips meant for automotive applications.  That really agitated the guy running the dark room, exposing all the nooks and hiding places :-)  

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