I wanted to add the blue light in the shoulders and knees for my Son's costume. Of course, bright blue LEDs were a given, but how to give a diffused glow was the question. This tut will show how to get this effect for about $20.
Here's the finished effect in the cardboard shoulder (before fiberglassing it):
The components were found at a local electronics warehouse.
9V plug, 9V battery, rocker switch, spade plugs, 330ohm resisters, blue LED finger lights and a length of a small diameter hot glue stick (not pictured). The finger lights were 65 cents each compared to $1.95 each for just the LED to buy them separately.
First, take the finger lights apart by removing the front ring and pulling the two halves apart.
Next, using an ice pick or an awl, poke a hole into the end of the hot glue in the direct center.
Carefully hold the hot glue near the end and using a slow speed drill into the end of the hot glue. It may take a couple of tries to keep the drill straight and centered. Make sure to go slowly and wear a glove so if you do happen to rip out the side you don't cut yourself. Go in deep enough to fully insert the LED up to the ridge. Use a drill bit that will allow a snug fit for the LEDs.
The 330ohm resisters were soldered to the positive lead of the LED (long lead). The free ends of both resisters were then connected to a wire that gets a spade connector to the switch. Both of the negative LED leads (shorter lead -or- the LED will have a flat spot on the ridge adjacent to the lead) were connected to the 9V plug's black wire. The posive (red) lead from the plug is connected to the switch via a spade connector.
Insert the LEDs and you are ready for a test.
Install the rocker switch into an inconspicous location, carefully hot glue the light and wires into the costume and you are ready to glow, I mean, go.
Here's the finished effect in the cardboard shoulder (before fiberglassing it):
The components were found at a local electronics warehouse.
9V plug, 9V battery, rocker switch, spade plugs, 330ohm resisters, blue LED finger lights and a length of a small diameter hot glue stick (not pictured). The finger lights were 65 cents each compared to $1.95 each for just the LED to buy them separately.
First, take the finger lights apart by removing the front ring and pulling the two halves apart.
Next, using an ice pick or an awl, poke a hole into the end of the hot glue in the direct center.
Carefully hold the hot glue near the end and using a slow speed drill into the end of the hot glue. It may take a couple of tries to keep the drill straight and centered. Make sure to go slowly and wear a glove so if you do happen to rip out the side you don't cut yourself. Go in deep enough to fully insert the LED up to the ridge. Use a drill bit that will allow a snug fit for the LEDs.
The 330ohm resisters were soldered to the positive lead of the LED (long lead). The free ends of both resisters were then connected to a wire that gets a spade connector to the switch. Both of the negative LED leads (shorter lead -or- the LED will have a flat spot on the ridge adjacent to the lead) were connected to the 9V plug's black wire. The posive (red) lead from the plug is connected to the switch via a spade connector.
Insert the LEDs and you are ready for a test.
Install the rocker switch into an inconspicous location, carefully hot glue the light and wires into the costume and you are ready to glow, I mean, go.
