USB Sensor Bar

This is how to make a sensor bar that can be used with a Wiimote and has a usb interface. It works fine with the Wii as well as the PC while using a program that allows to use the wiimote as a joystick (such as Glovepie) and is compatable with IR tracking.

Assembly is simple and can be done by anyone. For this instructable I used Legos to house the wires and LEDs, but anything that will fit them will work.

Step 1 Supplies

For this project you will need:

4 infrared LEDs
1 USB cable
Electrical tape (optional)
wire cutter
wire stripper (optional)
something to house the LEDs and connections
and you will also need wire and a soldering iron OR 5 alligator clips.

If you use alligator clips it makes making the connections easier, but it will be harder to place it in a compact case.

Comments

[Castelo Branco]

This is my version of the wii bar. I builded it using some aluminum bars (the leftover of my pedalboard hard case). Is also USB powered and looks good with my iMac.

[mariosmash55]

Did the USB - powered energy short out the LEDs' ???

I was testing mine and it killed the LED.

Do I need a resistor or more LEDs????

Nice instructable by the way =)

[nodoubtman]

Remember that usb can produce 5 V and 100 mA not more... so your resistor value should be : 5 V - Vled / A

let's say you have a led 1.4 V and 20 mA should do that :
5 - 1.4 V / 0.20 =180 - 220 Ohms resistor
see that page : http://ledcalc.com/#calc

thank you! :)
Have a great day! :)

[oniGamemaster]

No it didn't, not for mine anyway. I was reviewing this not too long ago and it would be better to add a resistor. How many LEDs did you use? I think it acts as a current source without a resistor which can provide up to 100m amps from the usb. Try adding a 100 Ohm resistor to the front of the circuit.

[hondaman900]

Nice instructable. Well laid out. There's a more developed version of this on Kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1621263610/the-megabar-free-your-wiitm Seems to be a more complete system. I like their father-son kit idea.

[account3r2]

if i have 4 2.8v leds, what amount of voltage would i need if i used batteries?

[oniGamemaster]

If you used 2.8v you could try only using two, one for each side, the range may be a little limited though.

[oniGamemaster]

What is the current rating? If you used batteries it should be 4x2.8 if the current rating is about right. That's right inbetween 7 and 8 AA batteries.
LEDs use current sources, It would probably drain the batteries pretty quick.

[account3r2]

im using these

[account3r2]

i might use a supercap instead because it is rechargeable then use a female usb plug and when i want to charge it i plug the cord it.

[account3r2]

what voltage leds do i use? please reply soon

[oniGamemaster]

1.4 V

[ryvie]

do u need resistor on the wire?? thx

[oniGamemaster]

you do not need a resistor if you use 4 LEDs. Other than that you would. If you want you can add a resistor you can, 100 Ohms should be fine, or you can go less for brighter leds, try playing around with a few.

[smrtcar]

Can I not just use a cordless wii sensor bar with batteries attached?

http://nintendo.about.com/od/accessories/fr/nyko_wireless_sensor_bar.htm

Just asking... :)

[oniGamemaster]

 sure you could, but where's the fun in that? It's also cost more.

But you could add a place for batteries instead of a usb cable.
This would take three of 'em for 4 LEDs, and possibly a resistor, but i'm not sure.

[dharc789]

What about if you wanted to use 4 AA batteries as well with the USB. Would the 100 Ohm resistor still work. I have been trying to figure this out. Using 4AA batteries (6V) calls for a 15 Ohm resister and for a USB (5V) it calls for a 2.2 Ohm. Could you use 100 Ohm resister to cover both??

[oniGamemaster]

Would it be as if you had a switch to switch from the usb to the AA power source? or both at once for more voltage and LEDs? I think I miss calculated when I thought a 100 Ohm would work, I was put it as if the diodes had resistance but they don't. So if the 6V calls for a 15 Ohm, it may cover both but it may make the Leds dim when plugged into a usb port. Depending on the skematic. Send me a pic of what you're thinking and I'm sure we'll get it.

[dharc789]

Here is a drawing I'm was thinking about. I think it would work. But wanted to confirm.

[oniGamemaster]

Looks like it could. I would not use that kind of switch, I would just use one that is fixed at the left end and toggles between the other two. The only thing that looks strange is the batteries are labeled AC when it is a DC source, and that they put more resistance on the lower voltage source, but that's probably because the USB has more current.

[Colonel88]

first of all, what does this sensor bar even do? does it connect ot the wii to receive wii remote signals or something? Because i don't understand what it is supposed to do. but if it is used to illuminate infrared camras, then it is awesome. Please reply

[oniGamemaster]

All that the sensor bar does is send out infrared light. That's it. This allows the wii remote to locate the sensor bar's position, and based on that the wii remote sends the information to wii which then shows the results on the screen. So in short it is the wii remote that tracks the sensor bar and not the other way around. The sensor bar is just light.

[l4nd0fc0nfu510n]

I can't get mine to work with GlovePIE. How do I make it detect that I have an IR sensor plugged in?

[oniGamemaster]

In order to get the sensor bar working with GlovePIE you need a script that enables IR movement.

Like this one that will allow mouse movement with the sensor bar http://www.wiili.org/index.php/Carl%27s_IR_Mouse

And here is one that is being worked on to provide good FPS play
http://www.wiili.org/forum/new-fps-ir-script-using-directinput-t1639.html

[l4nd0fc0nfu510n]

THANKS! Excellent instructable!!

[l4nd0fc0nfu510n]

(removed by author or community request)

[l4nd0fc0nfu510n]

Nevermind sorry, I bought a 4th. Instructable works great! Thanks!

[oniGamemaster]

glad you were able to get another :)

[ReCreate]

I always thought of making myself this,I planned to buy a sensorbar on ebay and mod it to connect to the usb port