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Step 10Making a Firefly LED String - Part 4 of 4
Twist the wires and test -
Once both wires have been attached to the LED it's time to twist the wires. Twisting the wires results in a cleaner look, greatly adds durability to the LED string, and also reduces the number of delicate free-flying wires you have to deal with when working with the board later.
To twist the wires, begin by mounting a microclip in your helping-hands and clip it to the two wires right beneath the LED. Now, using another microclip (I have it mounted on a nail to make this process easier), grab the other end of the string about 1.5 inches from the end. Gently twist the microclip while applying just enough tension to keep the wires straight until the wires are sufficiently twisted together. I tend to prefer a somewhat tight twist as this results in a string that's easier to keep straight.
Once the string has been twisted, strip about 2-3mm from the free end of the wires and test by putting 3 volts through a 100 Ohm resistor and into the ends of the wires. I've found it very difficult to make a good connection by pressing probes into the bare ends of the magnet wire so I clip microclips onto the ends and touch those with the probes instead. You don't have to get a good solid "ON" from the LED for the string to pass the test, since even with the clips its hard to get a good connection. Even a few flickers are enough to pass. When soldered, the connection will be much better.
Set the LED string aside in a safe place.
Repeat this process for each of the 6 strings.
Once both wires have been attached to the LED it's time to twist the wires. Twisting the wires results in a cleaner look, greatly adds durability to the LED string, and also reduces the number of delicate free-flying wires you have to deal with when working with the board later.
To twist the wires, begin by mounting a microclip in your helping-hands and clip it to the two wires right beneath the LED. Now, using another microclip (I have it mounted on a nail to make this process easier), grab the other end of the string about 1.5 inches from the end. Gently twist the microclip while applying just enough tension to keep the wires straight until the wires are sufficiently twisted together. I tend to prefer a somewhat tight twist as this results in a string that's easier to keep straight.
Once the string has been twisted, strip about 2-3mm from the free end of the wires and test by putting 3 volts through a 100 Ohm resistor and into the ends of the wires. I've found it very difficult to make a good connection by pressing probes into the bare ends of the magnet wire so I clip microclips onto the ends and touch those with the probes instead. You don't have to get a good solid "ON" from the LED for the string to pass the test, since even with the clips its hard to get a good connection. Even a few flickers are enough to pass. When soldered, the connection will be much better.
Set the LED string aside in a safe place.
Repeat this process for each of the 6 strings.
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