Electronics help!

[Mr. Nagata]

Okay, I made a stupid mistake in a recent build. I wired a Forbidden Planet blaster to light a single light bulb with the push of a button. So the bulb is connected to the power source, and there's a momentary push button wired in between. Pretty simple. But I accidently used a "normally closed" button instead of a "normally open" one. So when the batteries are installed, the lights are always on except when the button is pressed, instead of the other way around. The problem is, the button is already sealed inside the handle and I don't really want to break is out and repaint the whole thing.

Is there any sort of circuit I can create that will solve this problem? To clarify, I need a light bulb to light when a button is pushed, but the button is "normally closed."

 

[stapleton13]

I am sorry to say this, but the only way to fix this will be to replace your button. I am sure a circuit could be set up using a micro controller, but it would take a lot of effort.

 

[Mr.Engineer]

That's a bummer, man but stapleton13 is right. A microcontroller is a good idea. If you want to, that is.

 

[exoray]

Well it can be done, but on the negative side it will draw current all the time while it monitors the switch... Not a huge problem if you simply want it to work once in a while and add in an on/off power switch, but not something that can sit on the shelf ready to go...

 

[Mr. Nagata]

Thanks for the help. I think I have a solution that will work. I'm going to keep the original button inside the handle, but I'm going to glue a tiny surface mount pushbutton on top of it. I can wire the electronics to the new button and cover the whole assembly with a faux button/trigger. Should work fine, in theory.