Introduction: LittleBits 'Bread-bit' to Prototype Your Own Bit!
In this instructable, we will make a custom bread bit to allow prototyping of your own LittleBits modules.
Warning! make sure you never feed more than 5volts DC into a LittleBit module or bad things might happen. This is true of both the signal (orange) and VCC (red) connections.
Step 1: Ingredients
You will need the following:
- Wire cutters/strippers
- Soldering Iron and solder
- 1 x LittleBits Wire module
- 1 x each of Red, Orange and White breadboard jumper wires
- 1x piece of white card or plastic 50mm long and 35mm wide
- scissors
- double-sided adhesive tape
- about 8cm of small-guage heat-shrink tubing
Step 2: Cut the Wires in Half
Take the LittleBits Wire and cut it in half (buying some of the following from Sparkfun would let you avoid cutting your precious Wire Bit https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10358 )
Cut each of the jumper wires in half too.
Step 3: Strip the Wires
VERY CAREFULLY, strip the ends of all the wires.
Step 4: Add Heat-shrink Sleeve and Twist the Wires Together
Cut a short piece of heat-shrink and slip it onto each of the jumper wire sections then twist each jumper to its matching colour on the wire bit (half).
Step 5: Solder the Wires Together
Carefully solder each of the twisted pairs together then trim them with the wire cutters.
Step 6: Bend the Wires and Slip the Heat-shrink Over the Joint
Bend the soldered wires along the length of each jumper wire.
Slip the heat-shrink over the joint, making sure it is covered.
Step 7: Shrink the Heat-shrink
Using a hair-dryer (or a cigarette lighter), shrink the heatshrink until the joints are held tight.
Step 8: Cut Out the Base
Take some card or plastic and cut it to 50mm x 30mm.
Cut a notch about 6mm wide and 8mm deep to accommodate the connectors.
When I get a chance, I'll re-do this with a nice piece of acrylic or other plastic.
Step 9: Attach the Two Halves of the Wire Bit
Using double-sided tape, stick the bit connectors onto the card.
You might need to build it up a bit with tape so the connectors do not protrude too much.
Step 10: Tidy Up the Wires
Flip it over and cut grooves to feed the wires through to the top side side of the base.
Step 11: Attach the Breadboard
Stick the breadboard onto the base and you are ready to go!
- white = ground
- red = vcc (+ve power supply)
- orange = signal
Once again, don't feed more than 5v into a LittleBit or it might be damaged.
There are many possible variations of course. It might be more flexible to leave the wire bit parts un-attached.