BraceLED 2.0

I worked hard to make the first BraceLED a cool project and a good Instructable... I really did! ...and yet, a few days after publishing, I got uncomfortable. Restless. Although I had plenty of other things to do, I couldn't get my mind off the BraceLED. It seemed to me that I had left something out that should be in.
Was this really the best I had to offer? Couldn't I think of any more improvements? Something extra? Something to make it just a little bit better, easier, funkier?

Well, you know... Of course I could! So here it is, BraceLED version 2.0. And here's the video...

BraceLED 1.0 has a few (non-critical) problems, that are more or less fixed in this version:
- The LED's are more secure connected to the circuit.
- The layout and design of v2.0 is much more straightforward
- Because of that, BraceLED 2.0 is (even more) easier to make
- In version 1.0, switching on the led's is a bit awkward, using a loose supermagnet. It serves it's purpose, but elegance is a different thing. Version 2.0 solves this handsomely.

I will keep BraceLED 1.0 online, because it has it specific charms that are different or altered in this new version (I like the gap underneath the leds in v1.0, for instance). Perhaps the best of the two versions can be combined in something new... If you have any ideas on that, please step forward!

Step 1: Stuff you need

Stuff you need:

• Ducttape in a color of your choice
• Double sided tape
• 6-10 LEDs (5 mm). Pick your color
• Copper foil or aluminium foil, 25 x 10 cm (10" x 4")
• 1 Button shaped battery. Bigger is better (in this particular case), so pick a model like 2032 or 2450
• 1 Super (neodymium) disc magnet. 20 mm diameter, 2 mm thick. Europeans: shop at www.supermagnete.de

Total costs: €8,- / US$ 10,- maximum when you use aluminium foil. Copperfoil is expensive.
I got the copperfoil a loooooooooong time ago at a metal-supplier in Rotterdam, NL. The foil is available in various thicknesses. Mine is 0.1 mm, I believe.

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UPDATE Oct 20th '10: Until yesterday, I was unaware of the existence of adhesive conducting foil. It is solderable, and even the adhesive layer is conductive! Now, that sounds GREAT for making a BraceLED!
3M makes it, and so does Laird. The stuff is horribly expensive, though. Farnell dares to ask €40,-/US$50,- for a roll of 16 meters...
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Tools you need:

• Cellotape (not critical, small strips of ducttape will do as well)
• Hobby knife
• Scissors
• Needle nose pliers
• Strip of paper to take the measure of a wrist
• Blunt stick / the backside of a pen

Comments

[ADLR0]

Great project! I'm planning on doing some of these with my friends, but I have a doubt about electricity. Shouldn't we think about the voltage, resistance and so on so LEDs don't break and have enough power? I would like to know about that topic before venturing with the project. Any advice? Thanks!

[ynze]

As long as you stick to 3V button cell batteries you'll be fine. I did this with high school students (15 yr old) two weeks ago. They made great braceleds! I used 3M coppertape instead of the copper foil that's described in the I'ble. The copper tape makes things much easier, so that would be a good tip. Have a look at the pics (I found pink and blue ducttape!!!! Wooowwwwww :-))

[Cament]

Brilliant! What a nice idea! added to my "to do list" c:

[ynze]

Thanks! Please post a pic when you made them.

Y.

[erodarte]

We are doing these for a library event for our teens! To make it a cheaper craft we used aluminum foil and velcro circles for clasps. We also covered the aluminum foil with more duct tape to make them sturdier :)

Thanks for an awesome idea!

[ynze]

I'm a bit late with this reply, but: FANTASTIC! Thanks for posting! I hope the "kids" (are teens kids??? :-)) had fun making.

Y.

[jochemspek]

and but also, you forgot to give the LED's their own rectangle.

[Elnxida]

I think he figured it was kinda obvious. However, I do agree, he should, for consistency's sake, give the LED's their own rectangle...

[Ganoderma]

great idea, might make one just because they are so easy sometime :) (and because I have ~ 30 spare red LEDs I bought in bulk sometime :P)

[gvan]

Great idea but my battery must be coated or something because the magnet will not stick to it.

[ynze]

Hmmm, that's funny. Is it a Lithium cell?

Y.

[gvan]

yes it is a lithium cell. But today I bought another brand and it sticks to the magnet now so prob solved. Thanks for your really fast response I appreciate it. Making this for a friend of my sons who has a band and he thought it would be cool.

[ynze]

So the braceLED goes rock 'n roll :D

[rocketman217]

Cool project, an idea i had was to make the band out of a flexible solarpanel so you dont need batterys.

[jochemspek]

i believe it is called a 'neodyninium' magnet.

[ynze]

Neodynamonium, you mean, obviously.

[jochemspek]

o jes, and but also can I vote for these braceLEDS ? where ? really funny you have the same backname by the street.

[ynze]

Sorry jochemspek, but voting was closed about last week ago.