Motion Sensitive LED Throwies

Intro: Motion Sensitive LED Throwies

Designed to be placed/thrown on moving targets, these throwies utilize a crude motion sensor.

STEP 1: Put the Batteries Together

Instead of using the cr2032 batteries, I use 2 button cell batteries. 1Put the batteries together (- to +) roll the two small batteries up in duct tape and trim the tape from each end.

STEP 2: Cut a Piece of Guitar String

2 Cut a piece of the guitarstring (approx. 4") and roll up one end of the strig with your needle nose pliers. This hopefully will proctect eyes if in the event someone gets jabbed there.

STEP 3: Tape the Other End

3 Tape the other end (unrolled) to the + end of the rolled up batteries.

STEP 4: Roll the = Side of the LED

4 Roll the + side of the LED with the tip of your needle nose pliers.

STEP 5:

5 Place the - end of the LED on the - end of the batteries and tape securely.

STEP 6: Thread the Guitar String Thru the Hole

6. Thread the guitar string thru the hole you the made by rolling up the + side of the LED. The sensitivity of the guitar string can be tweaked by placing a bit of tin foil on the end of the string.

STEP 7: Adjusting Motion Sensitivity

7 Sensitivity can be adjusted by placing a small bit of tin foil on the rolled end of the guitar wire.

Comments

[Clayton H.]

What would happen if you would trim the guitar string so it woulden't be so big?

[rockyt]

it becomes less sensitive. The longer the string the more weight on the end thereby making it more bouncy.

[akimbo m]

Or you could just add a weight at the end of the shorten wire. OR You can curl the wire into a wheel instead, making the end still heavier than simply cutting the wire. Same effect.

[dean-101]

wat other metal would be easier to get around the house instead of gutair string

[colin]

Cool idea! How well does the motion sensing work in practice? I assume that you're relying on the momentum of the wire to bend over and close the connection between the battery and the LED, and that by adding the tinfoil you can increase the mass of the wire and make it easier to close the connection? It reminds me of the super-cheap spring based impact sensors that you find in all of the LED light up shoes.

[richelton]

When I first saw those little LED 'light show display' fans I wondered how they got power across the motor shaft to the LEDs spinning on the fan disk (brushes?) but thought it clever that the LED module had its own power and this simple 'ballistic sensor' to turn it on only when the fan was spinning.

[Blockman]

The same strings I use.:P

[smidge147]

yep i am 100 percent serious , whats a throwy?

[Savage_Insight]

A throwie is a relic of the 80s. Cyber punks and all that used LEDs, magnets and batteries to make handfuls of hi-tech graffiti. What you'd do is make hundreds to thousands of these little guys and you and your buddies with sneak around at night and chuck handfuls of them at metal parts of buildings, subway trains, etc. covering them in lights. Some would take their time and "sign" or "write" by putting the throwies into shapes and patterns. Over time, they either phased out or got more sophisticated. Its rare these days to see an actual "glamour bomb" team walk around with pocketfuls of throwies anymore. These days, it's usually some wistful oldschooler reliving a simple pleasure. So in short, it's graffiti with lights.

[locofocos]

You put an L.E.D. around a flat battery (small size= better) so it shines and tape a strong magnet to it (rare earth magnets work best). Then you just throw it up on a metal surface and it will last for a week or two (shining).

[rockyt]

do a search on this site for throwey. All is, is an LED, battery, and a magnet.

[smidge147]

wats a throwey?

[rockyt]

you serious?

[finfan7]

nicely done dude but tecnically shouldn't they be called air resistance switches? neway its still cool. later

[rockyt]

thank you. Have you made any?

[clint eastwood]

u should sell these things

[rockyt]

want to buy some? :)

[cedel]

Nice:) Just one idea (not tested): I've seen these sheet self adhesive magnets designed to be cut (with scissors) into shape and glued on back of images (photos). Just imagine using one CR2032 (or simmilar) battery, then taping the LED to it with the magnet (or one side LED, other side piano wire). That should make for an easy to make compact throwie, but I am not sure about the price or strength of the glue (and magnet).

[austin]

if you use a light enough wire or attach a little flag these work well in large amounts to show the wind across a surface.

[rockyt]

Awesome! I'm creating an istallation piece along those same lines.