10-min. Star Trek Phaser flashing LED mod

I was thinking of my friend Andy when I modded a Playmates Classic Star Trek Phaser. It was surprisingly quick and easy to do. I wanted something that showed up a little better and was not as dangerous as the Blu-Ray laser phaser mod (not that the Blu-Ray mod isn't very cool).

Step 1 Parts list

You will need:

1. A classic Star Trek phaser - around$25 on eBay.
2. A BlinkM smart LED - made by ThinkM and available from many sources. I got mine from the Maker Shed Store for $12.95
3. An Arduino controller if you do not have one to program the BlinkM. I got the Arduino Diecimila from the Maker Shed Store for $40.

Additional items:

A 2-pin wire connector with leads, like you would find on a PC fan power lead.
Hot glue gun
Soldering Iron
Rosin-core solder
Shrink tubing or electrical tape

Comments

[who1buffy]

You can get blinking LEDs for a buck or so.

[spudtech]

Yes, they are cheap and simple. Yoo wouldn't be able to adjust the colors used or the rate of the color cycling.

[legless]

It looks good but spending $53 to make a flashing LED on a $25 toy seems a bit excessive. Couldn't it have been done using a 555 chip in dual astable multivibrator mode??

[spudtech]

Part of the cost comes from the Arduino to program the BlinkM. the BlinkM itself only runs $14 at Makershed.com. Also, this fits entirely in the head of the phaser. A 555 and associated wiring could be done, but you would be locked into the blink rate that you program the 555 to do and the choice of LEDs you use.

[naruto the ninja13]

now make one you can switch from blue to red!(from stun to kill!!!!!!)

[spudtech]

Nice idea! I could modify one of the hatches and extend the pin headers to allow Arduino reprogramming....