Interactive LED Table - The Simple Way

Ok so how many of you have seen the interactive tables that can sell for over $150 a square foot? So you look around try to put together some figures on it then realize its just too expensive. If only there was a cheap simple way...  say something with 1000 LEDs maybe like a 24 x 48 table, yeah now thats nice, but how bout under $50 for the whole thing? Na thats gotta be impossible. . . or is it? Yes it is possible just by following this simpe instructable. If you can solder, use a hot glue gun, drill, and be smooth at your local drug store then it is very possible. So without further adue here it is.

P.S If you attempt this I am not responsible for any damages to your self or any of your property. THIS 'IBLE WILL INVOLVE HIGH ELECTRICTY, HOT MATERIALS, AND SEVERE MENTAL STRESS, ok maybe not the last one, but it is very dangerous if you attempt it without prior knowledge of electricity.

Videos: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWMUzBWRlDw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZREKQZrfSyA

Step 1 Gather Materials

Ok so first you will need some supplies.

1. Solder and soldering iron.
2. Hotglue and a hotglue gun.
3. leds of your choice, the color and count is up to you, but ordeing in 1000's is the cheapest, ebay is the best source.
4. A high voltage power supply, i.e. Disposable camera, if you visit your local drug store they will most likely give you used ones for free.
5. Peg board, homedepot is very good for this a 24 x 48 sheet is $6.
6. IR LEDs, order a certain quantity depending on how big you want you table to be. 4 per 12 x 12 square is usually good.
7. IR sensors, here is a link to digikey they have the best prices. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=475-1081-ND             We will discuss this later.

Optional

1. Electric tester capable of 300 volts.
2. A TIP31 Transistor.
3. A speaker set.
4. A heaphone splitter. i.e. 1 male to 2 female headphone plugs.

Comments

[BuffaloNickel]

I would not recommend wiring all of the LEDs in series, as the voltage required is much greater.Instead wire it in parallel. There is a way to do this quite easily with minimal extra wires, if the leads on the LEDs are long enough. this is explained in the picture. each LEDs lead is attached to the same polarity lead on the LED above it. the voltage needed is only the power of 1 LED, about 3 volts, depending on the type of LED.

[scottrevoman333]

Yes it does seem like a good idea to connect them in parallel, but if you connected 90 of them together like in the current configuration it would take 18 amps at 3 volts to power the entire thing which is actually much more dangerous than using 300 volts at 20ma. You could do it in parallel but it would be hard to find a cost effective power supply that provides 3 volts at 18+ amps. The 300 volts sounds deadly but I have been shocked by the main capacitor and the strobe circuit, which is of much higher voltage, and it wasn't deadly but it certainly was unpleasant.

[canida]

Looks cool, but a video would really help me visualize what's going on!

[scottrevoman333]

Ok I am currently trying to upload videos to youtube and will hope fully post them before the night is over, sorry for the delays on them.