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Author Topic: My IR pen looks awesome!- now with pics  (Read 7513 times)

Offline Sunshine

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on: February 28, 2008, 11:12:07 AM
I stumbled upon this idea when another teacher told me about it and I'm amazed.  I spent Monday and Tuesday doing research and Wednesday night I made my pen.  It looks awesome.  With the help of my husband's craftiness (and his need to make it look professional and clean), we came up with our prototype.  I will upload a picture here in a bit.

My only problem my momentary switch isn't working.  Can the solder from one side touch the other?  If not, how is everyone careful not to let them touch?

I will get pictures to post when I return from lunch.  I think this school teacher did a great job.  I am planning to present it to our principal on Monday.  We were getting ready to drop $1300 for a smartboard for my classroom.

ETA pictures:

Unlike the other highlighter pen picture posted, with mine, I didn't cut the top off and I drilled two holes in the side of my pen:  one larger than the other to stick the momentary switch through and the other (smaller) just large enough to fit the tip of the momentary switch.  It worked out nicely. 

These are cell phone pics so excuse the quality.




This is the side with the open hole.  I need to fill it in.

Top open (I pulled the top off with my husband's leatherman tool)

Top closed.


The top of the highlighter (the part that normally covers the highlighter part) fits back on nicely, too.
« Last Edit: February 28, 2008, 01:16:59 PM by Sunshine »


Offline Iceman1979

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Reply #1 on: February 28, 2008, 05:14:30 PM
The solder can't touch both terminals. If it does then it just defeats the purpose of the switch. The switch is either connected to the positive side or negative side and basically breaks the flow untill you press the button (unless its a normaly closed button then it does the oposite).

You have to just be careful not to allow it to touch and not use to much solder. A small tip solder pen works best.

As to why its not working you would need to post some pics of how you have it wired up. That might explain it a little better.



Offline AntAcid

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Reply #2 on: February 29, 2008, 01:53:14 AM
That's very clean.  I like!



Offline atomriot

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Reply #3 on: February 29, 2008, 09:18:01 AM
that is what my next one will look like. I was in such a hurry to make my second pen, i just used a standard clunky radio shack battery holder on the end. my next one was going to be all internal, plus i was going to make another big one.

as for the switch not working, i have had sorted results with them working the same way. I always bend my terminals out a little bit so the solder will not touch, then i use a dab of hot glue to ensure that even more so. also. make sure the LED isnt wired up backwards, that can be a problem. I burned through 2 led's before i realized they had a pos and neg terminal, oops.

another thing i do when i make a pen is have a camera ready. after every step and every solder i check its status. like solder the wire to one side of the led, then check to make sure it lights up, solder the other side, make sure it lights up...etc. all the way until the pen is completely assembled.

looks great though! my only other suggestion is to put something on the tip of the led (hot glue dab then before it really hardens touch it to make it a little rougher so it doesnt just pass the light through) or some sort of plastic end cap. you can see what i am talking about
here
or
here

Details, details. Things to do. Things to get done. Don't bother me with details, just tell me when they're done.
--
James Lionel Price


Offline Sunshine

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Reply #4 on: March 02, 2008, 11:43:32 AM
Thanks to everyone!  My second pen works soo well!  I bought a smaller tip soldering pen and it works so much better.

Now I just need to get a new IR LED light that's stronger.  It works like a charm, though!  I did put some hot glue on the end and it works even better.  My principal is ordering me a projector for my classroom to use.  My kids and I set it up on my computer and it works well.  My lines aren't straight when I draw but I chalked that up to being a crappy IR LED light. 

My kids were trying to figure out how I was using a highlighter on my computer until I showed them all the stuff inside.


Offline Iceman1979

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Reply #5 on: March 02, 2008, 12:01:43 PM
Good Job, Glad to see you got it working.


Offline Schwin97

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Reply #6 on: March 02, 2008, 11:16:25 PM
Wanted to thank you for putting the pictures of your IR pen online.  I just finished putting mine together using a similar design.  The only real difference is that I used a Sanford Markette, and didn't need to drill the hole in the back side of the marker.  Not sure if I am going to be abl to change the battery (wire probably isn't long enough).  Oh well - the pen works and is VERY clean!

Thanks!


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