/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>9781271
List of concerns:
I'm making the assumption most of this was not pre-assembled.

Surface pad IC
Unsure if the pad mounted IC in #1 is mounted to all connections properly since they're pretty difficult to get right, even with experience. They're also very easy to damage without using proper technique. You can youtube SMD package soldering and decide which method is easiest for you to use.

DIP sockets
Unless it came already mounted in #2, or if space was of a concern, the 24 pin should have been mounted in a DIP socket. Generally anything other than 6-pin IC's you should socket, since it can save you massive headaches later and prevents damaging the IC's if you're inexperienced. It's more preference than necessity, but also makes DIY easier to troubleshoot.

Through hole wiring technique
There are best practices for how the wiring should be done in #3, and you may want to use a 5 cable ribbon if possible. If how the boards end up fitting into the helmet is rather complex, I'd recommend you look into right angle wire-to-board connectors. Wire stress would greatly concern me during the final mounting into the helmet.

LED spacing
Not sure how the LED's are being assembled but you can use a printed sheet and a hole puncher on posterboard to get complex shapes and curves for mounting sets of LED's together.

There are a bunch of people on /diy/ that would be willing to give (better) advice too.

Also I'm not trying to hate, just making the observation your technique in general looks rather poor. There's plenty of help and information out there though. Best of luck anon, sorry it's being a big PITA for you.