Electronics Overview

The major electronics network (everything except the gauntlets) is a massive full-body system comprised of 1,415 Neopixel RGB LEDs, controlled by two Arduino controllers (Adafruit ItsyBitsy 32u4 5V 16 MHz) and powered by two 20k mAh power banks. Two controllers were necessary to balance out the memory load of this many Neopixels, and the two power banks are wired balance the current load across each of their four outputs (maximum load per USB output is 2.4 A, and max per battery is 4.8 A). A comprehensive wiring diagram is included at the end of this section.

Programmed Effects

The controllers are programmed to run an ambient purple “liquid pulse” through the tubes and bell in its default state. This simulates Moira’s slow fluid flow in the character model when idle. The rest of the lights are on a static purple glow in default. Upon button-press, the entire body of lights simultaneously change to yellow, transitioning smoothly through white. When settled on yellow the liquid pulse returns faster and moving in the opposite direction. This simulates Moira’s healing abilities, which reverse the fluid flow direction in-game. Repeating the button-press returns the whole body to purple, again through a smooth white transition and resumes the ambient slow pulse. Upon a different button-press, the “Coalescence” effect triggers, mimicking her “Ultimate” attack from the game. The whole body pulses smoothly between yellow and purple for several cycles before returning to the ambient animation. The video below shows a sample of each of these effects in the reactor.


Connectivity

This build is designed to be modular and easy to disassemble, and so each of the separable sections have their LEDs attached to three-pin JST connectors at both input and output. Each individual armor piece, the tubes, pants, sleeves, and the major reactor sections have JST connectors installed. Additionally, there is a large 7-pin JST connector that connects the battery packs to the reactor. The batteries were installed underneath the tassets at the hip. There is also a 5-pin JST connector that connects the button signals from where they are installed in the torso armor, back up to the controllers in the reactor. The buttons and are installed just under the lower front edge of the EVA portion of the torso armor, within easy reach.

Lastly, I’ve included a wiring diagram below to illustrate the details. For a higher-res photo to zoom in, click here.

JST Connectors for Shoulder Armor

Large JST Connectors for power and signal between body and reactor

Trigger buttons installed and hidden beneath tasset area on EVA foam corset armor


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Undersuit