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Step 8Wiring
This is my first wiring project (with the exception of installing light fixtures in houses). I'm not sure if this is all technically correct, but it works.
Cut a piece of 24 gauge wire that's about 3 feet long. Fold it in half. Hook the 'folded in half point' over the last prong of the LED at the furthest end from the batteries on the positive side. While being as gentle as possible, wind the wire in figure 8's between all of the prongs on that row of LEDs (only the positives). When you get to the end go back with the pliers and bend the prongs down onto the wire. The idea here is to get it all pushed as tightly together as possible.
Repeat this on the negative side.
There's an excellent chance you'll pop an LED out. If you do, push it back into place and finish the wiring. Mix up some more 2-part clear epoxy and use that to glue it back down. Make sure the glue seals it all the way around, otherwise black resin can seep in front of it and hide it.
At the end of the positive line cut the wires off 1 or 2 inches from the last LED. Twist those wires together with one wire of the resistor. If you've got enough wire left from what you just cut off twist it to the other side of the resistor. From here through to the battery be sure you allow enough wire to place the switch and battery exactly where you want them. Connect those wires to one side of the switch (the 'lead' side, if the package gives you a 'lead' and 'load' diagram.) Cut off any excess. Attach the trimmings (or new wire, if necessary) to the other side of the switch and then to the positive terminal of the battery holder. Twist it around the positive side a bunch of times, making sure there's lots of contact. Trim any excess wire. Any of this wire can be super glued in place to tack it while you're working. This may help keep the switch or batteries where you want them until the final cast.
Connect the negative LED line to the negative side of the battery pack. Again wrap the wire around the negative terminal a bunch, then trim the extra.
Carefully flip the switch to turn it on. Make sure the LEDs all light up. If they don't you can probably make them by adjusting wires and checking connections. Once you have it all just right mix up more of that 2-part epoxy and put a dollop of it on every LED. This will set the wires in place and protect the connections. Keep the light on while this sets up so that you can make any adjustments (sometimes epoxy will slide between the wires enough to take out a light, but you can get turn it back on by pushing on it with pliers or a toothpick). Keep making adjustments until everything is working and the epoxy sets up. Make sure it's really, really dry before the next step.
Cut a piece of 24 gauge wire that's about 3 feet long. Fold it in half. Hook the 'folded in half point' over the last prong of the LED at the furthest end from the batteries on the positive side. While being as gentle as possible, wind the wire in figure 8's between all of the prongs on that row of LEDs (only the positives). When you get to the end go back with the pliers and bend the prongs down onto the wire. The idea here is to get it all pushed as tightly together as possible.
Repeat this on the negative side.
There's an excellent chance you'll pop an LED out. If you do, push it back into place and finish the wiring. Mix up some more 2-part clear epoxy and use that to glue it back down. Make sure the glue seals it all the way around, otherwise black resin can seep in front of it and hide it.
At the end of the positive line cut the wires off 1 or 2 inches from the last LED. Twist those wires together with one wire of the resistor. If you've got enough wire left from what you just cut off twist it to the other side of the resistor. From here through to the battery be sure you allow enough wire to place the switch and battery exactly where you want them. Connect those wires to one side of the switch (the 'lead' side, if the package gives you a 'lead' and 'load' diagram.) Cut off any excess. Attach the trimmings (or new wire, if necessary) to the other side of the switch and then to the positive terminal of the battery holder. Twist it around the positive side a bunch of times, making sure there's lots of contact. Trim any excess wire. Any of this wire can be super glued in place to tack it while you're working. This may help keep the switch or batteries where you want them until the final cast.
Connect the negative LED line to the negative side of the battery pack. Again wrap the wire around the negative terminal a bunch, then trim the extra.
Carefully flip the switch to turn it on. Make sure the LEDs all light up. If they don't you can probably make them by adjusting wires and checking connections. Once you have it all just right mix up more of that 2-part epoxy and put a dollop of it on every LED. This will set the wires in place and protect the connections. Keep the light on while this sets up so that you can make any adjustments (sometimes epoxy will slide between the wires enough to take out a light, but you can get turn it back on by pushing on it with pliers or a toothpick). Keep making adjustments until everything is working and the epoxy sets up. Make sure it's really, really dry before the next step.
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