An elegant weapon for a more civilized age. Hello!! N00B List

Hello there.. My name is Mike and I live in Florida by way of Chicago. I've recently have had some serious family health issues which has required me to stay close to home nowadays.. It's been stressful and a pretty hard adjustment from my normal way of life. So, I decided to make my first customish lightsaber.. That should be fairly relaxing and easy right!??! wink wink!!

Like many of the new guys I've been reading the forums, making shopping lists and deleting them dozens of times..

Below is my list of parts.. If its way off, try not to laugh to much..:confused: I appreciate any help I can get before I place my order.. Thank you for taking the time to check it out. Here goes nothing----


Hilt-
QTY 1- Hilt Style 5 (7" Fluted double female threaded) With Machine recessed AV switch hole http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Hi...ctor-P406.aspx
QTY 1- .75" Male / Female extension http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/75...sion-P776.aspx
QTY 1- Screw on LED blade holder style 20 http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Sc...e-20-P633.aspx
QTY 1- MHS "new style" Heat Sink V2 http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...k-V2-P763.aspx
QTY 1- Machined button for Covertec clip http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Ma...clip-P161.aspx
QTY 1- MPS Pommel style 2 http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MP...yle-2-P89.aspx
QTY 1- 8-32 x 1/2" thumb screw http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/8-...rew--P111.aspx
QTY 1- MPS Insert style 6 http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MP...le-6-P263.aspx
QTY 1- 16mm Anti Vandal Latching White Ring Switch (Does this come with washer and nut to hold in place)? http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/16...itch-P706.aspx

LED-
QTY 1 - Luxeon Rebel Star (CYAN) http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Lu...Star-P523.aspx
QTY 1 - Collimator Lens 8.7 deg viewing angle http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Co...ngle-P537.aspx
QTY 1 - Luxeon Rebel Lens Holder http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Lu...lder-P536.aspx
The Star thermal tape pad is out of stock can I use an alternitive?

BATT. POWER-
QTY 1 - 4AA Battery holder http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/4A...der--P134.aspx


Wires & Resistor-
QTY 4 - 24 gauge wire (sold by the foot Ordered Red, Black, Blue, White) http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/24...foot-P735.aspx
QTY 3 - 1/8" Adhesive lined heatshrink tubing http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/18...ubing-P32.aspx
QTY 2 - 220ohm 1/4w resistor http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/22...istor-P25.aspx

You'll want an MPS Clip http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MPS-Clip-P72.aspx to hold the pommel insert in place.

The resistor you have selected is a little high for your AV switch (assuming a 6v power supply). You'll also need a resistor for your main LED. There's a calculator in my sig that can help.

Switch comes with a nut and washer. It's hard to find a good replacement for the thermal pad tape. You may just want to wait for it to come back in stock. Tim restocks quickly, so no worries there.

Good luck with your build.

Thank you Silver Serpent for your reply..

I planned on using the 4AA 6v battery pack.. I wasn't sure about the electronics but it seemed like a "first attempted" choice.. :confused:

Few questions please..

For the latching AV Switch the calculator says I should use a 150ohms 1/8W resistor.. The store doesn't carry that particular one.. The description for the AV switch states that I could use a 150ohms 1/4 resistor? I assume that is a fine replacement? I just want to make sure.

Please forgive my ignorance..

For the Cyan LED which runs at 122lm @ 700mA 3.4v - Run at 1000mA - I would use a 2.7ohm10w resistor? The description on the web site says that this LED CYAN is a Bin 2.. What does the "Bin 2" mean?

If I was going to use a White Luxeon Rebel Star 320lm @ 1000mA 3.1v - Run at 1000mA.. I would use a 1.2ohm3w resistor?

Thanks again for your help. I'm sure these are supremely noob questions.. Thanks Mike

Resistor calculations are a pain in the beginning. You'll get the hang of them after a bit.

Recommended wattage is a minimum. You can always use a higher wattage resistor and it won't affect brightness. Keep in mind that the higher wattage resistors are physically larger, and take up more room, so don't go overboard. The 150ohm 1/4w resistor is fine.

You could use the 2.7ohm 10w resistor, or a 5w version if you can find one. "Bin 2" refers to a specific shade of cyan that is generally considered closest to the on-screen color. Different bins of LEDs have varying shades of color.

With the white running at 1000mA @ 3.1v, you'd want the 3.3ohm 5w resistor.

Ah I see.. Ok I think I understand it now… Great- thanks again!! Parts have been ordered now trying to sit calmly..

Can I ask questions about wiring or should I just wait till everything gets here?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Malo241

Ah I see.. Ok I think I understand it now… Great- thanks again!! Parts have been ordered now trying to sit calmly..

Can I ask questions about wiring or should I just wait till everything gets here?

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You can ask questions, but I strongly recommend you look around while you wait and READ, READ and READ some more. We have probably covered most of what you were planning to ask.

Agreed. If you look around, you'll likely find a wiring diagram that matches what you're trying to do.

Reading, Videos, Reading and reading some more.. I think I'm ready to give it a shot. Most of my parts got here today still waiting on a resistor. So before that gets here would someone please take a look at my wiring set up. Forgive the picture issues I'm not so good at making schematics etc...

Thanks to the folks that have gotten me this far so far!! Mucho appreciated..

I think the resistors should be swapped.. New picture.

[IMG]http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5c7f2318.jpg[/IMG]

Switch comes with a nut and washer. It's hard to find a good replacement for the thermal pad tape. You may just want to wait for it to come back in stock. Tim restocks quickly, so no worries there.