Fake Quick Glowstick!
This instructable will show you how to make an electronic glow stick. If you are smart, you will probably figure out how to do it by the first step. keep in mind you can make it more elaborate if you want (switches, battery cases, solder, more LED's, etc.)
This instructable is now featured in Popular Science magazine! February 2010, page 79. Look for "originally posted by Shane Dulong on instructables.com"
This instructable is now featured in Popular Science magazine! February 2010, page 79. Look for "originally posted by Shane Dulong on instructables.com"
Supplies
Needed:
- Battery (3 volts or bigger, within reason)
- 1 LED of your choice (4 shown)
- 1 Bic pen with translucent (partially see-through) case
- Battery (3 volts or bigger, within reason)
- 1 LED of your choice (4 shown)
- 1 Bic pen with translucent (partially see-through) case
Take Apart Pen
This is the easy part. Title says it all!
Light!
Attach the Led to the battery. You could solder, or do what I did and hold it on the battery. You can add wires and switches too. If you use a 3v button cell battery, this is VERY easy. Just match the polarity and slide it on!
Note: The long lead (wire) is the positive. The negative has a small notch above it on the plastic.
Note: The long lead (wire) is the positive. The negative has a small notch above it on the plastic.
Make a Glowstick!
Simply put the LED in the long pen tube. You can use the cap too.
Update: Unless you have a big LED, I don't recommend a 9v battery. A 3v button cell is fine. The 9v actually burnt out some of my small LED's and heated up the leads on the big ones!
Update: Unless you have a big LED, I don't recommend a 9v battery. A 3v button cell is fine. The 9v actually burnt out some of my small LED's and heated up the leads on the big ones!