Electronics question.

[jason1976]

I have no training in electronics. I have done some simple cercuts. You know, a 3v LED, or two, with a switch, and 2 1.5v AA, or AAA batteries. That sort of thing.

I found some really cool little, metal, x-mas balls, that separate in to, two parts. I thought they would make great custom Thermal Detonators. I removed the patter on them, weathered them up, and so far they look great, but I wanted to add some kind of activation switch. After looking all over, I finally found some really cool, low profile, pop in, red, light up, Rocker switches. (I wanted Push button, but these were way cheaper, brighter, and take lower voltage then any of the push buttons I could find.)

Ok, so the problem I need help with. The switches need twelve Volt s, to work, and I need to know how to get it. I have very limited space in the ornaments for batteries, wiring, and such. I also have limited skill, and budget.

In short, I need the easiest, cheapest, smallest, way of getting a 12v power source.

I thought about using 2 9v batteries, to get 18v, and nocingk that down with resistors, but there all rated by watts, and ohms, and I can't figure all that stuff out.

I thought, about using one of those small 12v batteries for remotes, and pagers, but those are usually expensive, and I have 7 TD to do. plus, I couldn't find a holder for those kinds of batters to mount inside the orniments, and would have know good way of making one. (that I can think of.

I looked at a electrical instruction book I have, but it all went way over my head.

So, I'm pretty stumped here. Any, help at all would be much appreciated.

 

[feide]

Not 100% positive but the switch should work with lower voltages. I think the 12v is the highest the switch is rated for. It is really just making electrical contacts and I'm pretty sure you won't have a problem if you use lower power source for youe LEDs

FWIW
Mike

 

[Mr.Engineer]

I think he means the switch needs 12v to light up the LED inside. Sometimes, some plastic rocker switches can be "carefully" opened and you might be able to:

1) change a 12v bulb in there and replace it with a LED (but the resistor would have to be outside)

2) change the resistor of the LEDs. (Heck this is only theory as I did the first one and accidentally stabbed my thumb with the LED legs)

But if your rocker switch is all metal......... oops

 

[Darth Lars]

Have you tried running the bulb on 9V? Chances are that it will light up, but just be a little bit dimmer.

I think it is likely that the switch can be opened up to replace the bulb. It is not impossible that a replacement bulb exists on the market - of the same size but runs on a lower voltage. If it is one of the really smallest types of bulbs (the size of a LED), then replacing it could require soldering.

 

[jason1976]

Well I just ordered the switches a couple of days ago, and there not here yet. I'll know more when they get here, I just though I would get a few ideas before they arrive. Lot's of good ideas though gang. Even though I like a really bright light, I think I'll try the suggestion of just hooking up a 9v first. That's only a 3v difference. Oo, I don't know about mixing batteries, but what if I added two 1.5 AAAs to the 9v, to get 12v. Or, they make those 3v camera batteries, I could use one of those with the 9v. OO, lots of options, now I can't wait for the switch to get here.

BTW, is there any easy/cheap way to hook up a beepy thingy to these? I thought it might be cool if when I switch them on, it not only lights up, but had a steady beep coming out of it.

 

[exoray]

but what if I added two 1.5 AAAs to the 9v, to get 12v. Or, they make those 3v camera batteries, I could use one of those with the 9v. OO, lots of options,

In short, NO...

Stick with the 9 volt and give it a try, chances are it will work just fine...

 

[jason1976]

Yeah, I kind of figured. I'm not sure but I think the charge would go out of the batteries fine, but on the return it seems like it would be going back into the batteries all wrong, and that could be very bad.

I'll try the 9v by it's self before I try anything else. Though, I would still like to add the beepy thingy some how.

 

[robn1]

Why not use lithium batteries? Stack four 3v button cells together.
Or you could use this http://www.batteriesplus.com/pc-28134-28134-MN21B2PK.aspx
it's a 12v alkaline that's smaller than a AAA. But it doesn't last very long.

Rob

 

[Mr.Engineer]

Well, I am not sure if this is the switch you're talking about but here is the idea for you to go on:

Switch

 

[jason1976]

Ok, got the switches a few days ago. They have 3 prongs + - and ground, unfortunately they weren't marked at such. So, it took a bit of playing to get them to work. It looks like the two end ones are + and -, and the middle is ground. But it must be a bulb rather then an LED because it doesn't seem to mater witch end of the batter I hook up to witch wire. (in other words, I can hook up the + or the - end of the battery to what I think is the + post, and it still lights up. )

anyway's I tried the 9V and it was very dim, so I went over to meijer and got some 12v camera batterys. (got them on clearance for $1.88 for 2 so not bad, I just wish I had got more then one pack, because there gone now. ) I originally didn't want to use this kind of battery because I thought I would need a holder, and I didn't kow were to get one, for a battery that small. However, I juust stripped the ends of my + and - wires and taped them on really good with a bunch of electrical tape. :lol Hey, it works, quite well actually. I'm going to drill the wholes for the switchs in my props, latter to day, and go from there.

Still I would really like to know an easy way of adding a beeping sound to them. it would be cool to turn them on, and have a BEEP!.... BEEP!.....BEEP! etc, etc. coming out of them, to go with the lights. Any thoughts?

 

[KitSmasher]

As far as the batteries, they make itty bitty 12v batteries for car alarm remotes. I bought a bunch of them at Fry's Electronics a while back. You might try a car stereo store where they do alarm installations.

Or I can send you one of the ones I got if I can dig them out. I won't be back at my place till Monday, though.

 

[jason1976]

Thanks, but you don't need to go to all the trouble, I have a car stereo, and accessory place down the block from me, and I have a discount battery place not fare away I'm going to check out next week. (they sell nothing but batteries, so they soul have quite a few to chews from. )

I'm more concerned with what to use to get a beeping sound out of this project.

 

[exoray]

I'm more concerned with what to use to get a beeping sound out of this project.

I suggest ripping a beeper out of an existing toy, as it's almost always the easiest and most effective method for simple stuff...

Short of that, I would suggest something along these lines...

http://www.electronic-circuits-diagrams.com/alarmsimages/alarmsckt18.shtml