Make your own studded choker with an LED twist! Use these instructions with our kit of parts that comes with all the materials you'll need for a punk style LED collar, or use materials you may already have! Ten juicy diffused red LEDs adorn a high-quality black leather collar that fits necks 12-15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters). Attach the included battery holder and potentiometer, used to adjust the brightness of the LEDs. The simple circuit is powered by a single CR2032 battery. Build one yourself and be the star of your next party or parade! ![]() ![]() ![]() Tools & Suppliesby Becky Stern ![]() The Punk LED Collar Kit contains (buy the kit or gather your own supplies):
Circuit Diagramby Becky Stern ![]() Ten LEDs are wired in parallel with a coincell battery and potentiometer. Wire all the (shorter) negative leads to the center lead of the potentiometer, then wire all the (longer) positive LED leads to the positive side of the battery holder. Wire the negative side of the battery holder to the leftmost lead of the potentiometer. The rightmost pin of the potentiometer is not used. Install LEDsby Becky Stern ![]() Put the collar on and decide where you want the LEDs to be in relation to the buckle (your placement may vary depending on your neck size). Start by measuring and marking the locations for the 10 LEDs along the collar (make marks on the inside surface). Use a ruler and space them just a little less than one inch apart. Use a sharp utility or craft knife on a cutting-safe surface and slice small vertical slits for the LED legs to pierce through. ![]() Make one extra slit at the end of the row, where the potentiometer will go. Solder Components by Becky Stern Solder the last positive LED lead to a piece of wire, then solder the wire to the positive terminal of the battery holder.
Use a little double stick tape or E6000 glue to affix the battery holder in place after soldering. ![]() Test & Finish by Becky Stern ![]() Check your connections using the circuit diagram as a reference, then insert the battery and turn the knob to test the circuit. It will need to be turned all the way on one direction to light up. If your LEDs don't turn on, your battery holder may be connected backwards! Hint: Make sure to have extra fabric or leather that can help you cover up wiring and soldering. After a few days some of the soldering came off. You might want to handle the collar with care as soldered parts can easily be broken apart. Once you've verified everything's working properly, apply an even layer of E6000 or similar craft glue (not all fabric glues will bond to leather) to the inside surface of the collar where the faux suede will protect and insulate the circuit from your neck. Do not attempt to lay your collar flat when not in use! The LED leads are soldered in a circle, and unnecessarily bending the collar could break your connections. Treat with care and store the collar buckled!
Wear it! by Becky Stern ![]() Buckle up and show off your new electro-punk fashion! To clean it, simply remove the battery and wipe with a damp cloth, allowing to dry before re-inserting the battery. Since the battery is exposed, we don't recommend wearing your collar out in the rain unless you take further action to make it water-resistant. The faux suede is made from polyester and so shouldn't hold too much moisture if you're sweating, but take the collar off if you are really sweaty to avoid quickly draining the battery. Treat your new creation with care! Store it in the round, buckled, and take caution not to bend or flatten it, as these actions could break your LED connections! At this time we recommend making this project with RED LEDs only! Blue LEDs have too high of a forward voltage for a single coincell to power them all brightly, but try other colors at your own risk. We must thank to Adafruit Industries for providing amazing projects and supplies to STEMSOS Engineering curriculum. Fore more: https://learn.adafruit.com/led-punk-collar |