Lat week I received an invitation to walk in the Grandin Village Holiday Parade on Saturday November 23 at 11am, down through Downtown Grandin Village.
According to Google maps it is 0.8 of a mile to walk.
So I decided to create a small float with a mounted chair, in the event that I get too winded during the parade.
My devoted pit crew will walk with me to pull the decorated float/wagon, and adorn newly accessorized official uniform.
Upgrades
The entire belt never wore comfortably so I came up with an idea to create a cloth lined foam pad under belt assembly.
Using foam material from camping pad roll bought at Walmart.
Also re-spraying the side belt pieces, cover up scrapes and scuff marks.
Thank you to "Sci-Fi Photo Guys Digital Photo" who offered me a rendition photo background at the Roanoke Valley Comicon event.
They took my photo with a green screen and they asked me what
background, so I said use your best judgement.
I am very pleased with
their choice.
This week I started a new job at Advance Auto Parts just in time for Halloween.
So I suited up on Thursday and won 1st place for "best original costume".
This was also the first official test run with the working LED lights.
Both 9 volt batteries lasted all day (4 hours total time suited up).
Finished installing the LED lights.
Runs off two 9volt batteries.
Two switches: one for the headlights and taillights, the other for the red/blue flashers, one LED on each taillight flashes with the red/blue also.
Considering a future upgrade that will involve a siren with flasher LED's.
Finished helmet fan installation with 9 volt battery and on/off switch.
Soldered wires together and coated connections with glue gun.
Battery can be replaced by removing top plastic cover again.
Came up with a new way to attach face mask to helmet rather than having an elastic band around my head which was too tight.
I riveted plastic tabs on the top of mask that insert inside helmet slots, and then use a short piece of elastic looped onto screws to hold mask in place.
This way the mask stays attached to helmet and slightly tilt to adorn helmet and mask in one piece.
This new way of attaching mask also allowed for the helmet fan to blow air onto eyes to reduce fogging up.
Glued LED's into headlight sockets and shaped the red/blue plastic covers on front grill.
Originally was going to glue-gun the red/blue plastic covers into place, but decided to go with screw mounts in case the LED needs to be changed out.
Also ordered more wire-to-wire connectors and 22AWG wire.
Received the lights kit package in mail today.
Hooked up a 9 volt to verify all LED's work, very bright.
The kit came with a total of 16 LED lights, 8 white and 8 red, a 9 volt connector, on/off switch, and flasher strobe resistor.
Now to find some cheap crimp connectors and maybe some heat shrink tubing, and get started on installing lights for Halloween.
Removed the old battery pack from back of helmet and covered with a white plastic plate.
The battery pack was pushing against the back of my head.
By doing this I gain about 3/8 of an inch more room inside helmet for my fat head with foam padding.
During the Charticon convention I had minor complications with breathing under the mask and the eye lenses fogging up.
After watching some YouTube videos and reading forum searches, I got a few ideas to install a small cooling fan inside of the helmet.
Found a perfect mini-fan and 9volt battery connectors at Radio Shack.
The helmet I used originally came with a on/off switch, that still works and would fit on back of helmet.
I drilled vent holes on top of helmet ridge cap for air intake, and a hole below the fan for airflow into helmet.
During installing of switch, I had to re-glue a plastic piece that came separated.
The Charticon event was amazing, and I had an awesome time.
I took first place in the cosplay costume contest.
The other contestants that participated had great costumes also.
Many Charticon convention attendee's were excited to get photo's with all of us in costume.
I have a few tweaks to adjust on Prowl and then will work on some upgrade ideas like working head-lights and red/blue police lights.
