LilyPad LED Set (Seven Colors): Essential Lighting for E-Textiles
The LilyPad LED Set provides a versatile collection of individual, sewable light-emitting diodes, offering foundational components for any e-textile project. This pack includes a variety of vibrant colors—White, Red, Yellow, Green, Pure Green, Yellow, Blue, and Orange—allowing creators to add simple yet effective visual feedback to their fabric-based designs.
Designed as part of the innovative LilyPad system, these small, robust circuit boards feature large connection pads specifically optimized for secure attachment using conductive thread. They are perfect for beginners learning basic circuit construction and ideal for businesses prototyping fashion technology where durability and low profile are essential.
Key Features
- Vibrant Color Variety: Includes seven distinct LED colors for diverse design requirements (White, Red, Yellow, Green, Pure Green, Blue, and Orange).
- E-Textile Optimized: Large, rounded sewing pads make integration into fabric safe, easy, and reliable using conductive thread.
- Low Profile Design: Each LED board is extremely thin and lightweight, ensuring minimal bulk when sewn into clothing or accessories.
- Durable & Washable: Built to withstand the flexible nature of textile projects and designed for careful hand-washing (battery removed).
- Simple Polarity Marking: Each board is clearly marked with ‘+’ (positive) and ‘-‘ (negative/ground) indicators to prevent incorrect wiring.
- Beginner Friendly: Ideal components for learning basic series and parallel circuits within the e-textile domain.
Technical Parameters (Specifications)
| Parameter |
Value |
| Component Type |
Single LED on LilyPad PCB |
| Colors Included |
White, Red, Yellow, Green, Pure Green, Blue, Orange |
| Operating Voltage |
3V to 5V DC (Optimal 3.3V – 4.2V for most colors) |
| Forward Current |
10mA – 20mA (typical operating current per LED) |
| Dimensions |
Approx. 5mm – 8mm diameter per board (depending on specific revision) |
| Connection Method |
Two sewable pads (+ and -) for conductive thread |
| Polarity |
Marked with ‘+’ and ‘-‘ indicators |
Usage Instructions
Using the LilyPad LEDs is straightforward. They function exactly like standard LEDs but are tailored for sewing into fabric.
Step-by-Step Integration:
- Plan Circuit Layout: Decide where each color LED will be placed on your fabric project.
- Connect Power: Sew from the positive (+) terminal of your power source (e.g., a 3V coin cell battery holder) to the + pad of the first LED using conductive thread.
- Create Circuit Path: Continue sewing the positive line to all other LEDs in your circuit in parallel (connecting all ‘+’ pads together).
- Connect Ground: Sew from the negative (-) pad of your first LED to the negative (-) terminal of your battery holder.
- Complete the Ground Loop: Connect all other – pads back to the battery holder’s negative terminal.
- Power On: Insert your battery. The LEDs should illuminate.
- Important Note: Always ensure conductive thread lines do not cross over each other without insulation (e.g., fabric glue or a piece of felt) to prevent short circuits.
Q: Do these LEDs need a resistor?
When powered by a 3V coin cell battery (CR2032), a resistor is typically not needed because the battery’s internal resistance limits the current. If using a high-current 5V source (like an Arduino 5V pin), a small resistor (around 100 Ohms) in the circuit might be necessary for specific LED colors (especially blue and white) to protect them from burning out prematurely.
Q: What is the best power source to use with these?
A 3V coin cell battery holder or a single 3.7V Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery holder are the most common and effective power sources for LilyPad components.
Q: Can I use these with the LilyPad Pixel Board WS2812 LEDs?
Yes, but they are programmed differently. These single-color LEDs are simple analog components that are either ON or OFF based on power flow, whereas the Pixel Boards are digital and require data signals from a microcontroller.
Q: Can I mix different colors in the same circuit?
Yes, you can mix colors. Note that different colors have slightly different voltage requirements (e.g., blue/white require slightly more voltage than red/yellow), so a 3V source might make red look brighter than blue. A 3.7V or 5V source provides more uniform brightness across all colors.
Q: I am a business/educator. Do you offer bulk class packs?
Yes, please
contact our sales team to discuss educational pricing, bulk order minimums (MOQ), and customized kit options for classroom use.
