DIY: EXTREME Power saving wireless mouse mod

A modified wireless optical mouse. Though rechargeable, eventually the NiMH cells WILL have to be replaced, I have had to recharge every day, and even though I make that as quick as can be (using an Energizer 15min charger) like I said, the batteries eventually will need replacing. Now this Compaq mouse did not come with an ON/OFF switch nor' does it even have the eventual sleep/auto off on idle feature. However, it wouldn't ever get to do the 'auto off' even if it could, seeing as to it's always gravitating towards me on the sofa which I (we) mainly reside. & I know for a fact that an ON/OFF switch wouldn't EVER get used by me, and definitely not as much that it would have noticeable effects in regaurds to power saving.

So like the 'auto off' or 'off while idle' feature that some mice provide, I thought of making it only powered when I'm actually using it, but to improve on the concept, instead of it waiting a predetermined amount of time while not being 'moved' to shut off, and once 'moved turning on again (like I said, with me, it'sa always getting sat on, pushed aside, sliding in towards me on the cushion when I sit, etc..)
FAST>>FORWARD

These Pictures show the VERY SIMPLE process of my successful mod that makes it so ONLY when you have ur hand placed on the mouse like when ur using it (NOT WHEN ITS JUST MOVED)

Step 1 Aquire the essentials for the mod

I salvaged as many different micro contact switches from various electronics I have strewn about my room. I decided to go with the switch that is the closest one to the bottom of the picture of switches. I then placed my hand on the mouse and held it in just about every workable position I would ever hold it in, and found the best spot possible to mount the switch where it would always get pushed down when I am using the mouse.

Comments

[acer73]

Wow, just get a new mouse I have a logitec wireless invisible optic. It has a Reset, On/off buttons plus auto-off. I have had the mouse for over a year an only replaced batterys 3 times

[kgee]

same

[jkinrade]

That's not really the point of instructables. It's more fun to mod something than it is to just buy a new thing and adding the old one to the ever-increasing amount of trash in this country.

[batman96]

My Wireless mouse has been running on one AA battery for six months!
Also, those speed chargers wear them out faster, you want to charge the batteries slower.

[MAC guyver]

hmmm, U did all this cuz you were too lazy to turn your mouse off? I'd have held out for complete freedom. Self-charging mouse anyone?

[looneygiorgio07]

well some mice (logitech's EX100 for example) don't have a switch to turn the mouse off. Instead they have a built in auto-standby thingy which to be exact doesn't work very well.

[DDRBoxman]

Wouldn't this work better if you rigged up a photo resistor so that your hand does not have to actually trigger the switch? It might be more comfortable.

[FireSnake]

Awesome, usable, intelligent mod. Thanks! :)

[Jesus10555]

yea, i have that same 15 minute charger..... its awesome.... the only flaw that they dont tell you is that, although it may charge in 15 minutes, you probably shouldnt put it in any electrical device while the batteries are that hot, damn they are hot..... i bought them for my camera, and there is no way im risking anything melting and whatnot, ya know what i mean

[Andrew546]

This is sweet. I put this on my mouse and it works excellent. The only difference is i mounted it on the side so the my ring finger will press the button when i hold the mouse. I ended up scavaging the switch from a portable CD player. I just used the switch thats used to cut power to the motor when you open the lid. Now that i look at the picture again, its the exact same kind as you used. I also added a hinged paperboard flap on the side so i could put my finger anywhere on the side instead of hanging to press a very specific point. It works fantastically. Excellent instructable!

[Neodudeman]

Why don't you just put the switch between the power and laser, so that it wouldn't need to keep reconnecting, but the laser would turn off, and save some power?

[aquax]

I have a bluetooth mouse without an on/off switch. I usually end up taking the batteries out. I don't think if this system will do exactly what I need, because the bluetooth would have to reconnect every time I touched the mouse, but I could probably wire in a small switch somewhere...

[fungus amungus]

Nice. I eventually went back to wired mice so I wouldn't have to deal with taking care of more batteries, but this would be a good fix.

[joedog86]

Me too - I might look into modding my wirless one now though...

[FrenchCrawler]

Great Idea, I may or may not try this.
So far my mouse has kept up with me, even during the long days where I have forgotten to put it back in the cradle. Perhaps the M28WC
( http://www.acesuppliers.com/company/information.asp?pid=9395 ) has a better charging system, but I wouldn't really know. It's the only one I've had. If it starts to die out on me, I may do this though. Thanks for the idea.