Introduction: Super Easy USB Powered Halloween Jack O' Lantern
This Is a pretty quick project. If you desperately need an LED-lit, USB powered pumpkin, that is.
Step 1: Get the Stuff.
you need:
-USB cable, from piece-of-crap old mouse or somesuch.
-LEDs; orange, I should think.
-A resistor.
-Tools.
-Sass.
-Flair. (optional)
Now carve that B up, yo!
Step 2: Electricals.
'You need to know the voltage and current requirements of your LEDs.
In the case of most ordinary red or orange LEDs, that will be ~2 volts, and no more than 20mA.
those crazy newfangled blue and white LEDs will take 3 volts.
Your USB port can supply up to 5 volts at 500mA, so you're gonna need a resistor.
I used 2 orange LEDs in series. That means I am drawing 4 volts total with 20mA of current. Using ohms law (or one of those handy internet calculators.)
5v - 4v = 1v.
1v / 20ma = 50ohms
So that's what I used.
USB power comes over the black(-) and red(+) wires in the cable. the other two are data lines. Just cut them off.
Step 3: Finale!
The Playstation's always on, so I connected my 'punkin to that. enjoy!
6 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
5 v for usb but 100 mA max!
14 years ago on Introduction
Could you do the same thing,but with one of those small button batteries?
15 years ago on Introduction
very good!!! u used a resistor
15 years ago on Introduction
Nice! I just so happen to love USB powered LED stuff (see my tree!), so great job!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
put up a pic of your tree muffinator ;) and awsome instructable
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
I've got an entire Instructable on it! Just check out my persona.