Force FX Blade Repair

[THX]

Hello,

This forum has been quite useful in disassembling my Vader Force FX blade. Unfortunately my saber was in an accident and folded a few inches from the hilt. This effectively turned off the lights from the break up. I read the disassembly guide and sure enough, the LED ladded snapped at the fold. I attempted to repair by soldering 2 wires from each side of the LED at the break point but all this did was power up the additional LED.

I also tried soldering a lead to the little resistor to the right of the LED with no effect. The blade turns on still but only to the break.

Any ideas? I saw the kits on this site but for that price I can simply buy a new Force FX - plus I REALLY dig the LED blade.

Is this something I could fix fairly easily?

Thanks for your time and suggestions.

THX

[xwingband]

Where are you getting $45 new sabers? :P For never breaking again I think the conversion is worth it.

The "ladder" is multi-layered. That allows it to light up in banks. It lights up 8 banks of LEDs in sequence.

If it was bent in half then it's pretty much borked and unless you are a solder god it just won't work the same again, sorry.

[Firebird21]

If it was bent in half then it's pretty much borked and unless you are a solder god it just won't work the same again, sorry.

Another highly technical term.

[THX]

Well it was used but in great shape when I bought it for under $30. So I figured I'd just look around for another. Bummer too - the blade bent and I was able to Dremmel off the broken portion, re-drill the holes and shorten the blade (about 4 inches). Turned out really well. If only it lit up.

[Spencer_P]

You might be able to install a new LED strip. Try contacting UltraSWG (you can find him in the Memberlist); he'll probably have some spares.

[Jedi-Loreen]

But how would he intall a new LED strip if he's shortened the blade tube?

Did you forget about that part?

[Spencer_P]

Actually, no; I just figured THX could cut four inches off the top off the strip. Of course, if cutting off the top LEDs breaks the connection for the whole strip, then my idea is no good.

[Firebird21]

Actually, no; I just figured THX could cut four inches off the top off the strip. Of course, if cutting off the top LEDs breaks the connection for the whole strip, then my idea is no good.

I had the same thought... And the same reservations.

[Jedi-Loreen]

You can't usually just cut off part of a circuit board with out making a return path for the current and/or voltage.

If the strip just ends, then I don't think that would work.

[Firebird21]

I thought the LEDs did that...