Ironman Arc Reactor Replica

I am always fascinated by Ironman. There is just something cool about it that makes me want to build things related to Ironman.

I have seen a few design in Instructables, and I don't want to 3D print or buy more things, so here is the sustainable version of Ironman Arc Reactor. All materials are recycled with the exception of the LEDs, which I already have lying around.

• Pringle can (for the middle plate)
• Plastic bottle
• Air freshener case
• Wires
• CPU heatsink
• Leds (I used Blue LEDs because they look cooler)
• Recycled button battery from RSA token

From various build, and pictures from the movie and internet, I sketched out the rough Arc reactor that I am going to build. I choose the Mach1, because it looks retro and fit with the recycling theme.

Initially I am going to use a coke can, but I don't drink much of coke, and I found that I have a CPU heatsink, that I no longer use which is made of copper, this is perfect.

Transfer the design to Pringles can butt. Make sure you finished the chips first :)

Drill the holes, to make the process easier. Note that the pringles can butt is quite fragile, so you have to work with care, otherwise it will get bend quite easily.

I then cut the edges using acto knife, be careful, it is quite sharp. The whole process required a bit of patience.

I am using the butt of ASEA bottle as a diffuser. After stripping the blue jacket, you will end up with a white strong plastic bottle, perfect for this project. I just cut the bottom out with acto knife and leave the ring around the bottom as you can see in the second picture.

For the fins, I am recycling the CPU heatsink and cutting the fins which is made from copper. I cut the copper strip into the shape and joining them in the center with another copper ring cut from the same heat sink fins.

Note of cautious, the fin is quite sharp so you should take care by wearing gloves and be extra cautious.

Start connecting the fins using solder, you might want to use the solder flux to make it easier and make sure you clean the fins using sand paper to remove the grease or excess oxidation that might have formed in the copper.

Space the fins evenly to make space for ten set of particle accelerator.

The coil consist of copper wire that I have harvest from a fluorescent light ballast (Transformer). You can get this from any transformer if you have any dead power supply lying around.

Wind the copper on each particle accelerator. I then let the end and soldered them to the fins as well.

When it is all done, it had a very solid weight.

Now it is time to add the LED lights. For this I choose the blue LEDs because it looks cooler. Flip over the arc reactor, and connect all the ground LED legs (the longer one) to the copper strip. This will be the ground, because all of them are connected together. Then wired the other legs in parallel.

I found the base from an air freshener container. I can't remember what is the brand, but the bottom fits directly into my arc reactor. The top of the air freshener is also removable and fits to the bottom part so that you can clip it to your clothes. What a perfect combination.

Now it is time to make the finishing touches. Connect the middle plate from the Pringles can to the center of the arc reactor and connect the CR2032 button cell to the LEDs, and let there be light.

It is quite satisfying to see the results and especially when it is dark. You can attach this to your thirst easily to impress your friends at the costume party.