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6761 Views 13 Replies Latest reply: Dec 30, 2011 9:23 AM by SatansFosterSon

Cabe Atwell

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Jul 23, 2010 3:06 PM

LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

For those who don't know, an LED Stickie is just some LED taped to a watch battery and a magnet. The magnet acts as a way to STICK the LED to some metal object.

Often enough, used by graffiti artists, regular artists, and gorilla marketers.

After the battery wears out all that is left is electrical waste. Depending on the intensity of the LED, the device lasts about 2 weeks, and at approximately $1.00 a piece, it seems like a waste. Is the thrower's mission accomplished after two weeks? Perhaps, but I'm sure they would like them to last longer. I propose a simple solution to the issue, on site rechargeable throwies.

A solar cell, a small super capacitor, and a charging circuit.

But, do you think it could be made for less than $1.00 each? Let's see if we can do it.

Cabe

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Tags: led, lighting, leds, technologies, led_lighting

mberman

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1. Jul 23, 2010 3:42 PM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

Cabe,
This would require changing to a rechargable battery with a solar cell that could only charge the battery if enough daylight was provided. These addtional components along with the LED and resistors will destroy your $1.00/pc budget. More importantly, these units will be adding "annoyances" for a longer period of time, and in the end, more toxic waste. Yes, it can be done, but would this be for the better good of others in our society?
Mel

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enrico.migchels

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2. Jul 23, 2010 3:49 PM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

Hi Cabe,

I would say 'mission impossible'... I have some flexible LED-strings on the lab which can be used for nice lighting experiments. I was stunned on the light output versus input power. I investigated a system to light an object via LED's, rechargeable battery and PV cell and it is very expensive and has several critical parameters.

The best designs are the most simple designs.. like the Throwie.. :-)

Best regards, E. Migchels

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Cabe Atwell

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3. Jul 26, 2010 1:19 PM (in response to mberman)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

When the LED throwie is out of power, the battery is complete waste. But, a rechargeable one or, in particular, a super capacitor can be reused for a long period of time. Hence, this whole system can be recollected, which is more my goal to begin with. I think overcoming this challenge will be a decent achievement. Right away, I can see this rechargeable system being a Christmas Tree lighting alternative.

Perhaps skipping solar recharging and moving to heat or vibration conversion charging is a better option.

I also think that bumping the Throwie price to even $3.00 is ok, if it's reusable.

Cabe

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SatansFosterSon

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4. Sep 17, 2011 7:57 PM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

I really like the idea of using a super cap. maybe knock out a opensource design for a dirty charger. i know if i walked past some 'artwork' i would give it a power bump

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Cabe Atwell

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5. Oct 10, 2011 1:51 PM (in response to SatansFosterSon)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

A dirty charger?

Do you have examples?

Cabe

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SatansFosterSon

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6. Oct 10, 2011 4:50 PM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

When I was back at college (way before throwies) we used to hook up peizo buzzers to caps and chuck them in classrooms, we 'dirty' charged them. As in directly with either a 9v battery or the same with a simple regulator circuit. The term dirty came about because they where in some cases dangerous (lots of burns, lol) and very ugly. But the rule was if you saw one, pick it up, charge it and chuck it. lol

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Cabe Atwell

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7. Oct 27, 2011 7:07 PM (in response to SatansFosterSon)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

Interesting...

However, the graffiti artists I know that use thowies, tend to throw the lights out of reach. So, I was looking for a way to charge without a physical connection.

IE: solar, vibration, laser, etc. All of which add substantial cost.

Cabe

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SatansFosterSon

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8. Oct 10, 2011 5:06 PM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

well this crazy guy call tesla had this idea once... anyway ambient power or directed

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Cabe Atwell

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9. Oct 27, 2011 7:37 PM (in response to SatansFosterSon)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

Here is an idea:

Use a supercapacitor charged by a solar cell to power the throwie LED.

Not values are ser yet, but here is the "Version 0" circuit: I call it the "Solar Throwie" for the lack of a better name.

Let's expand on the idea.

Also, I need a source for solar cells, like what is in a solar calculator.

Cabe
http://twitter.com/Cabe_e14

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prilinger

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10. Dec 13, 2011 5:24 PM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

This is the same idea used by handheld keychain lights. They usually use a CR2032 CR2032 Lithium coin cell
The coincell has a high internal resistance so no series resistor is used to keep cost down. The led
is basically put directly across the coin cell and the impedance of the battery limits the current through the led.

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eokerblom

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11. Dec 29, 2011 9:18 AM (in response to mberman)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

Slightly OT, but a couple years back, one of the cable networks here in the US had a guerilla marketing campaign for one of their animated TV shows where they placed "Sticky" devices in the shape of one of the show's characters all across a major US city. The problem was that people thought they were bombs and called the cops. IIRC, the DHS got involved.

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Cabe Atwell

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12. Dec 29, 2011 3:03 PM (in response to eokerblom)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

Eokerblom,

It is true that the Aqua Teen Hunger Force "bomb scare" may have put a kink in the urban marketing craze, I feel that the throwie is more for personal use. Every year people decorate their houses with thousands of Christmas light strings. Imagine not having to worry about running cables along the house. Instead, place solar throwies everywhere.

Hopefully, I can find some help in this project.

I am still looking for small solar cells (cheap if possible.) Any thoughts anyone?

Cabe
http://twitter.com/Cabe_e14

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SatansFosterSon

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13. Dec 30, 2011 9:23 AM (in response to Cabe Atwell)
Re: LED Throwies, extend their life, annoyance

Also, I need a source for solar cells, like what is in a solar calculator.
You could probably buy bulk lots of calculators and harvest them, I did find these cells, they are 3v@12mA but sadly they are out of stock.

One idea I did have is, why use an electronic solution? Why not a chemical one?

-Al

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