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Vorpal Vase Dazzler

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Revision as of 13:25, 19 January 2018 by Vorpalwiki (talk | contribs) (Bill of Materials (BOM))

What is the Vase Dazzler?

The Vorpal Vase Dazzler consists of a 3D-printed base and electronics that can light up a 3D printed vase with color LEDs. The LEDs are individually addressable, meaning each one can be a different color when driven appropriately from a microcontroller. The kit includes a potentiometer dial and pushbutton to allow you to change the brightness and light pattern. The Vase Dazzler software provides ten different light patterns, including:

  • fades between different hues
  • twirling and blinking effects
  • a "flame flicker" effect

The entire project is open source so you can easily add your own custom effects using the Arduino IDE.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

VorpalVaseDazzlerElectronics.jpg
Nano-CH340.JPG
  • 1 x Arduino Nano
  • 1 x 12 RGB LED light ring. These are addressable LEDs such as WS2812B or similar.
  • 1 x 10k ohm linear rotary panel potentiometer with 6mm shaft, nut, and dial cap
  • 1 x 12mm diameter panel mount pushbutton
  • 1 x Unregulated 9v electrical system which includes a 9x13mm rectangular on/off switch, 9v battery clip, and Dupont jumpers for output of the battery ground and +9v. For people sourcing their own parts see the [Unregulated Electrical System Diagram].

Assembly Instructions

  • STEP 1: Flash the Arduino Nano using the latest Vorpal Vase Dazzler control program. It is hosted on github here: Vorpal Vase Dazzler Github Project
  • STEP 2: Place the LED Ring on the top part of the Dazzler case. Feed the wires through the rectangular hole. You will need to carefully angle the wires downward a little. There are three small nubs around the circular hole you placed the LED Ring into, you will angle the LED Ring under two of them, then snap the LED Ring past the third one. It should hold securely with no glue or other means of retention.
  • STEP 3: Make connections as shown on the diagram. Test the unit now before putting everything in the case by attaching a 9v battery and turning it on. Pressing the pushbutton should cycle through different lighting patterns and the potentiometer should adjust brightness of the LEDs.
  • STEP 4: Put the potentiometer into the hole near the center of the back of control panel and secure with included nut. Push the dial cap onto the shaft. You need to carefully bend the connections to the potentiometer so they are at a 90 degree angle with respect to the face of the control panel. This makes room for the Nano to be inserted later.
  • STEP 5: Put the pushbutton into the hole on the right side of the control panel. You do not need the nut on the pushbutton, it should hold well just due to insertion force.
  • STEP 6: Angle the nano into the area on the left where the rectangular hole is for the USB port. The USB port side should go in first. You will need to insert the Nano so that the black wire on the side that faces the bottom of the Dazzler case is underneath the wires sticking out of the potentiometer. You may need to wiggle the Nano into place so it sits in the small slots along the floor of the Dazzler case.
  • STEP 7: Push the on/off switch into the rectangular hole near the top of the control panel.
  • STEP 8: Place the top on the base of the Dazzler case and secure with a screw in the center of the case.

You may now place a suitable vase on top of the Vase Dazzler and let the awesome begin!

Supplying Power Using USB

On maximum brightness a 280 mAh NIMH rechargeable 9v battery will last only about one hour. On a more moderate brightness level it will last several hours. If you wish to have this project lighted without batteries, you can do that by attaching a USB A to mini cable to the Nano's USB port (which is conveniently exposed on the back of the case). A standard cell phone wall charger that has a USB A jack in it can be used to power this project indefinitely.

The only downside to this is that the on/off switch will not turn off the unit when it is powered through the USB port.

Operating Instructions

Extending the Control Program