Roly Poly LED

Roll a metal ball around a plastic container, make the electrical connections and watch as the LEDs light up in succession!! OoooOoo

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Step 1: Get Parts!

When I came up with this project I was cleaning out my desk and found a little clear plastic container. I knew it could be of some use, so I thought a little bit and came up with this.

With a little creativity I'm sure you can substitute a lot of these parts for something similar.

You need:

2 AA Batteries
A holder for these batteries (see picture)
A small plastic container
A small steel ball or another ball that conducts electricity
12 LEDs
Aluminum Foil
Soldering Iron
Scotch Tape

Eddbot says: May 17, 2007. 7:13 PM

what is that plastic case for?

DYLEGO in reply to EddbotDec 31, 2008. 11:34 AM

it is like a plate with a top cover

lesward says: Aug 5, 2007. 7:24 PM

With a little imagination, this could be be used a lot of places. How about leveling a table.

zea says: Jul 11, 2007. 2:56 AM

it's amazing

whiteoakart says: Jun 22, 2007. 11:21 AM

That's great! I can think of a perfect application without changing anything: Teaching This is so easy and fun, a bunch of elementary school kids would love it! And they would learn about electricity, physics, and recycling without any boring textbooks! You're the best, Kyri!!!

phoebus says: Jun 20, 2007. 4:14 PM

hehe, try attaching it to the rims of your car : )

hg341 says: Jun 2, 2007. 10:05 PM

wow i can all most tell how to make this by look at the 1st pic very good

CameronSS says: May 2, 2007. 10:45 PM

I'm trying to think of a practical application for this. None come to mind, but it's really cool, anyway. Instead of capacitors, what if you used James' idea of aluminum foil, but put a coating so that the resistance of the foil changed from the center to the edge. That way, when the ball was right by the LED, it would get full power and be bright, but as it rolled away, there would be less power and the LED would gradually dim.

curlyfry562 in reply to CameronSSMay 15, 2007. 8:20 PM

Practical application = a bomb detonator
"Don't pick that up!"
"Why not..." BOOOM!!!

Not that I am saying anyone should do it just letting you know. You could also use it as an alarm with modifications. By the way great instructable, what about high powered LEDs?

Dzwiedziu says: Apr 7, 2007. 5:37 AM

It woud be nice to add a capacitor for each of the diodes to make it fade out slower.

royalestel in reply to DzwiedziuApr 17, 2007. 8:23 AM

Oh yeah--super idea there. How did you come up with this? This is great!

Dzwiedziu in reply to royalestelApr 17, 2007. 12:44 PM

Basic electronics knowlege ^_

royalestel in reply to DzwiedziuApr 17, 2007. 1:38 PM

Oh, I guess I meant, I think adding a capacitor is a super idea and 2)Kyri-how did you come up with this? Anyhoo . . .

James (pseudo-geek) in reply to royalestelApr 25, 2007. 8:49 AM

lol. To add capacitors you need a more powerful battery so it will charge faster, otherwise you wouldnt get much effect. You could also just widen the contacts on the LEDs with aluminum foil tabs.

royalestel in reply to James (pseudo-geek)Apr 26, 2007. 12:26 PM

Duh! That's a great idea, too!

James (pseudo-geek) in reply to royalestelApr 26, 2007. 3:30 PM

thats what I specialize in :)

James (pseudo-geek) in reply to James (pseudo-geek)Apr 26, 2007. 3:31 PM

(great ideas that is)

phenoptix says: Apr 16, 2007. 5:45 PM

Keeping it simple, I like your style!

sdallesasse says: Apr 8, 2007. 12:35 PM

You know with a little more development you could use this as a tool for say something like a drill. It could indicate if you need to raise the bit or lower it when drilling horizontally. Or in a drill press to obtain a plumb setup.

ongissim says: Apr 7, 2007. 12:14 PM

Nice Instructable! This also could be transformed into a super-duper tilt sensor!

jeffreyf says: Apr 6, 2007. 5:22 PM

This is a great idea! I can easily see how it could be incorporated into a pet (or children's) toy.

Silas in reply to jeffreyfApr 7, 2007. 12:07 PM

Or.. dare i say it?.. a Trip toy.. Not that I do drugs or anything..

technick29 says: Apr 7, 2007. 11:35 AM

Awesome job! Very clear, fun, and, most importantly, easy! Keep up the good work.

rob cruickshank says: Apr 7, 2007. 11:03 AM

This looks really fun! You should add a 50 ohm resistor in series with the battery to limit current to the leds to 20Ma- that way you won't burn them out.

Kyri (author) in reply to rob cruickshankApr 7, 2007. 11:33 AM

Yeah, i thought about that ...haha, I guess I figured the ball would only be touching it for a short while so it wouldn't matter, but it might be a good idea.,

T3h_Muffinator says: Apr 7, 2007. 9:13 AM

Agreed with Jeff. This really has potential! Adding a capacitor to the LEDs for a "fading" effect would make the illumination of each led more noticeable Also, try and make it USB powered! Every thing's better with USB ;P Nice Job!