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"VIPER" modification walkthrough |
Please note: This walkthrough is more technical and requires a little more effort than the LS modification. For instance: the resistor that you choose is entirely up to you, also I have not yet found a reliable source for a switch so you'll have to either head out to radioshack or a local electronics store to buy one, or use one from something that you have lying around.
Also note that creating the "structure" out of the coat hanger may seem simple at first glance, but it can become VERY frustrating if you're working with a heavier gauge hanger, or if you don't measure correctly.
The Viper walkthrough is broken into 2 sections. In section 1 you will learn how to turn this LED keychain into an on/off light with a resistor. Then in section 2 you will learn how to create the support structure out of a clothes hanger :)
Here's what you will need:
- an LED squeeze flashlight available here
- a common wire coat hanger (I've found the plastic covered ones are easier to work with because they bend much easier than the heavier gauge plain metal ones)
- a soldering iron(preferrably low wattage, I used a 25watt) and solder
- some #0000 steel wool (other grades may be substituted)
- a micro switch(I used one from a scrapped LS, if you don't have one available try checking radioshack or a local electronics store)
- a resistor (I used a 10 ohm resistor, but the choice is totally up to you; if you want longer battery life go with a higher rated resistor, but if you want to have peak brightness stick to a lower rated one)
- an exacto knife
- a pair of medium sized needle nose pliers to bend the coat hanger with
- a few short pieces of wire(single strand copper phone wire works best)
- wire strippers
Section One - modifying the keychain light into an on/off light with a resistor
Step 1
Open up the keychain light by simply "popping" it apart at the seams and remove the batteries, LED, and center piece from the casing. step 1 image
Step 2
A: Cut 2 pieces of wire(remember, a single strand copper wire works best): make one 2cm long and the other 1.5cm long. B: bend the second wire 90 degrees to form a right angle at the .5cm mark step 2 image
Step 3
Now it's time to solder your resistor and the wires you cut in step 2 onto your switch.
Use the picture as a guide.
step 3 image
Step 4
Next, we'll cut the slot that will allow access to your switch. You will need to cut one half of the slot on the top half of the case, and the other half on the bottom half of the case. Note: depending on the size of the switch that you use, you may need to cut a larger or smaller slot than the one shown in the picture.
step 4 image
Step 5
We now need to cut away some of the inner casing/battery holder to allow it to accept your switch & resistor assembly.
step 5 image
Step 6
Sand the end of the LED with the #0000 steel wool. Note: this is to allow the light to be diffused, as an alternative (if you don't want to sand the LED), you can also substitute a piece of frosted scotch tape over the end of the LED once the light is re-assembled. step 6 image
Step 7
Slide the wire that is soldered onto the left pole of the switch into the tiny clear tube that is on the LED's lead. This allows contact to be made between the LED and the pole of the switch. We also bend the wire that will make contact with the top of the battery down in this step.step 7 image
Step 8
Fit the switch assembly into the battery holder, insert batteries and snap case back together.step 8 image
Section Two - turning a common clothes hanger into a support for the light unit
Step 1
Use the picture as a guide to make the first cut in the hanger step 1 image
Step 2
Now measure over 382mm from the left side of the hanger and make another cut. You should now have a straight piece of wire that is 382mm long. step 2 image
Step 3
The tricky part begins now. It is extremely important to use the exact measurements that I give when bending the wire into the support. We'll first measure in 7mm from each end and bend the ends up at a right angle.step 3 image
Step 4
Now, from the right angle on each side, measure in 14mm and make another upwards bend step 4 image
Step 5
Measure in 15mm from your last right angle bend, and then bend downwards
step 5 image
Step 6
Now bend the wire in half so that if viewed sideways, the bent parts resemble the letter "C" step 6 image
Step 7
Time to bend some angles. First, measure in 1cm from the top of the bend and bend it over at a 25° angle to the right (if holding the structure sideways, you want to bend towards the open end of the "C"). Then bend the structure backwards at a 100° angle. step 7 image
Step 8
The support structure should now be complete. The light fits directly on top of the structure as shown in the picture, and the whole thing clips onto the screw holes that are on either side of the cartridge slot. step 8 image
You may need to adjust the angle of the light slightly to get it positioned correctly, but as long as you have followed the walkthrough and measured everything exactly, you should have successful results :)
Note: Please sign the guestbook if you have success with the mod, Thank You!
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