Saber Forum

Well I like to tinker with things, and over the last months Lord Canterbury and I have been chatting about this and that, and during those chats this idea came up . . . . What if we could use a component in a Bluetooth enabled LED product thats available out there and adapt it for use in an LED saber . . . . could be an idea ?

I looked around and stumbled across this image on eBay . . . had me intrigued
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/RGB%20LED%20Bluetooth%20Lightglobe_zpsaisj6t0t.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/RGB%20LED%20Bluetooth%20Lightglobe_zpsaisj6t0t.jpg.html)

If by some fluke we could take out the Bluetooth board of this LED light globe and use it in an LED saber . . . ? ? ?

So I ordered this one just for fun (http://r.ebay.com/K5GyjA) . . . here’s what I found when I dismantled it . . .

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/E672266B-F969-4D65-A452-509CAC0C3753_zps20mut9tx.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/E672266B-F969-4D65-A452-509CAC0C3753_zps20mut9tx.jpg.html)

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/A8E8E2A0-4F91-4312-A62C-990AA3312197_zpsahtmqprw.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/A8E8E2A0-4F91-4312-A62C-990AA3312197_zpsahtmqprw.jpg.html)

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/A0152DF9-D166-42A9-B46F-ED5D4DF95B62_zpscdpudgsn.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/A0152DF9-D166-42A9-B46F-ED5D4DF95B62_zpscdpudgsn.jpg.html)

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/88716153-D5D2-404D-B0BD-29B1216E4359_zps3twjbauq.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/88716153-D5D2-404D-B0BD-29B1216E4359_zps3twjbauq.jpg.html)

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/E690639D-397C-448B-9014-74553948B5E8_zpsiwvplvr9.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/E690639D-397C-448B-9014-74553948B5E8_zpsiwvplvr9.jpg.html)

A small / thin board with 2 VIN wires, an antenna wire, and it was even labeled for the RGBW + & - connections . . . It’s soldered to its own LED plate, so first I just connected up 7.4v Li-Ion & 1000ma BuckPuck, and it all worked . . . The app worked fine and it controlled all the LED colours from my phone over Bluetooth . . . great . . . next step, connect an RGBW LED module from US, so I cut the LED plate away and just tested 1 diode on the US module, and it dimmed when using the app . . .

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/B93D62FC-96F5-49FD-84E1-836C89383FCA_zpswrhi5qiv.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/B93D62FC-96F5-49FD-84E1-836C89383FCA_zpswrhi5qiv.jpg.html)

Soldered connectors to each pin for RGBW and connected up to an US RGBW LED module, everything worked . . . .

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/F595F80D-6D41-4831-9D90-B1E89C9ECEFD_zpsx5i4icxd.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/F595F80D-6D41-4831-9D90-B1E89C9ECEFD_zpsx5i4icxd.jpg.html)

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/904FBF02-B067-48F3-9C9D-A3F714E8AB1A_zpsnfyiexal.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/904FBF02-B067-48F3-9C9D-A3F714E8AB1A_zpsnfyiexal.jpg.html)

(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/JediXIX/B099717B-10AC-4E65-B97D-817659FE5B76_zpst445tdee.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/JediXIX/media/B099717B-10AC-4E65-B97D-817659FE5B76_zpst445tdee.jpg.html)

Quickly (a bit messy) installed it in a hilt and this is what we’ve got . . . (video using my phone, so installed the app on an iPad)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj_UNQo-DVI


I found this works best when using a vented pommel, and my iPad / phone connected when near the hilt (up to about 30cm), the Bluetooth did still connect with a solid pommel but it was intermittent . . . This Apprentice hilt has a momentary av switch with m/l converter, 7.4v Li-Ion & BuckPuck . . . I’ve been playing with this for a few weeks now and there’s been no problems with it, but I’m still experimenting with this . . .

So for around $22 off eBay, a little soldering and an US RGBW LED module I can select any colour from the app via Bluetooth to change up the blade colour . . . This app version doesn’t have preset colours, so you have to slide the wheel to change, but It’s a lot of fun so far  :)

I’m not sure if any other Bluetooth LED light globes will work like this, but so far the board from this particular model is working great . . . . cheers  :)

This is awesome!

That is AWESOME! And as always, your blade colors are always so pretty-looking.

How does the brightness compare to regular US LEDs?

As they say in the UK, that's the dog's bollocks (meaning excellent - the absolute apex!)
Your brain must run at 100 km's per hour, with all these different ideas you have!

My mind=Blown! Great work!

This looks awesome! Gotta love it when a moment of 'I wonder' pays off.

Question for you, what is the name of those white Quick-disconnects for the wire? I recognize the red JSTs but the white ones I'm not familiar with, I like how compact they are.

Dood. This is amazing.

Mad scientist Clever !  Very intriguing. Nothing better than seeing an idea evolve and become reality. +1 for ya's both

WOW.  You should approach US with this.  No idea what they'd say but this was one of my suggestions for new features too.  Amazing that you guys were able to make it a reality!

Curuous how a LumiLeds Luxeon Hue bulb would do -  though I imagine its board would be optimized for a RedOrange/Lime/RoyalBlue star. Good fortune landing on an RGBW bulb.

I just bought a light alot like this that has a built in speaker. Ive thought about doing this as well, and im glad to see it funtions well. If I end up doing it ill reply and post my own.

Wow. I sense a summer project coming.

Thank you everyone . . .  :)



I'm using US Li-Ion 7.4v / BuckPuck as power source and an US RGBW LED module, and the brightness is pretty much the same as US blade colours . . . This Bluetooth driver board is just in between, mixing the colours . . .



They are white Micro JST 1.25 connectors used in RC Hobby . . . I buy them thru eBay (http://r.ebay.com/KKy7IS), and they come pre wired with 28AWG wire, and available in 2, 3 & 4 pins . . . They're working great for my projects, and I like how compact they are too . . .





I have no idea if any other Bluetooth LED light globes would work, I only ordered this one because of that pic showing the Bluetooth module attached to the LED plate separate to the other electronics that I assumed handled the 110/240 voltage . . . Fluked it big time, I was actually shocked that this experiment worked during each test, lol, but its working great . . . I have ordered another cheaper LED globe so when that comes in I'll share what I find inside, lol . . .




When I first got this working, my mind was racing and dreaming of what could be . . . Part of this experiment was just to see if a Bluetooth signal could work, when, as Lord C pointed out, the aluminium hilt could be acting as a "Faraday cage" to block a Bluetooth signal . . . So far, this is working best with a vented pommel and the antenna wire close to the vents . . . When I put a solid pommel on, the connection was not consistent . . .

But yes DJ, my mind was racing on what would be the perfect in-hilt setup . . . Many have imagined just that . . . A small component to handle colour LED mixing and sound with a wireless connection to make changes on a smartphone etc . . . would be very cool  8)


This is a lot of fun, but a bit quirky . . . It saves the last colour selected, but when turned on quickly flashes white, then a pale version of the selected colour, then settles on the colour . . . You can only select colours on the wheel, and this app has no preset colours (that would be great) . . . the primary colours of red, blue & green are a little fiddly to get right because the wheel is sensitive and wants to mix to the next colour, but not too hard . . . and it's also funny, has a party mode (all colours flashing), alert mode (red & blue flashing), even a candle mode, hehe . . .

This has nothing on the AWESOMENESS of an Emerald driver, no pulse mode, no FoC, no fine colour mixing, etc, and I have no idea how this would stand up with heavy duelling . . . but it is fun . . . and someday perhaps US could have a board that had Emerald, Obsidian & Bluetooth . . . . that would be very very cool . . .  8)




I'm more than happy to share anything I've learnt with this experiment . . . just let me know . . .  cheers  :)

It doesn't matter what it " can't " currently do this this is a Huge Leap to me, This is exactly how all prototypes  of anything start out. You got my respect on tthis. Ya Never know , with more readily resources at hand might be something of the future if it can maintain a cost effectiveness, and stand up to dueling. + a few , but its Lord Canterbury's turn  ;D

Ha - I'm busy with family stuff, Bulvoy, but if you send me a prototype for a "greeblie" antenna to mount on the outside I'll get right on it!  ;)

Holy freak'n moly, Jed!!  That's so insanely cool!!  

How's a young gun sith alchemist ever supposed to take down his masters when you guys just keep getting more and more aweome with every post?!  ;)   This experiment is unreal/ off the charts cool.  

I wish me, you and LC were like neighbours or something lol, n we could sit around in someone's garage every Saturday and get our geek on over a pint or two :).  Actually I was just talking about that with Dauntless the other day, so I got out an old globe, put one finger on my little corner of southwestern Ontario, Canada- put another on Australia.  Turns out we pretty much couldn't be any further away from eachother unless one of us left earth lol.  Point :).

Jed that is just awesome.  You and Lord C have been scheming again.  Haz and I as pathetically skilled in this area as we are, may have to challenge you.  We have Rev as our secret... well not anymore, key to our great success and will bring you down.  Jeez... you already live in the land down under so I have to rethink the specifics.   :P

Rev... you always make me laugh and I'll met you at the after school detention class.  Really a person is missing ?!   ;)

Points to all three of you fine saber alchemists.   ;D

Hahaha!  Well, if you were looking to meet me after school, you know that would've been where to find me :( lol!  Until they change the rules on smoking in the bathroom and stuffing people in lockers that is lol ;). 

This is insane, Jed! As cool an idea this is, I would've never thought the board from one of those would work in an US. Many kudos for conceiving this and making it come to fruition! The ability to control it through Bluetooth is a huge step forward. Many points coming your way  ;)

I actually have one of these lights (different brand) in my room and love it.

Thanks you 3 . . .  ;D


You know Rev, if one day, somehow, I could buy a ticket to board a ship and actually leave our atmosphere . . . . OMG, that would be my ultimate thing in my life I would love to be able to experience . . .  8)   It would indeed be cool if many of us here could hang out one day, maybe have a lil drink, and saber chat, lol . . . . you never know what the future holds, maybe one day when we're 80, we could all take that ship, and meet up on an orbiting space "Garage", hehe . . .  :)

Back to the Bluetooth board, I did give it a quick try with 4xAAA NiMH 1.2v batteries (4.8v) and a 2ohm resistor and it seemed to work ok, it was only a quick test tho . . . I'm thinking of connecting up a 5v power bank like you've used, if it's flat, the board might fit next to it in hilt . . . I would like to experiment with that too . . . What are the dimensions of the 5v pack you used ?

Sweet!  The space garage lol, I like that :).  O, then we could float our saber parts all around in a cloud like the Jedi construction ceremony!  Actually space always fascinates me too- got NASA as one of my homepages lol. 

Nice!  That'd be quite the convenient saber :).  USB recharge and remote colour changing- geez! 
The bank I used is slightly rectangular, Basiclsly one inch by 7/8", getting 0.99 and 0.87 on micrometer- pretty tight in my sentinel, I actually had to just ever so slightly sand the edges of corners, very slightly, but that's just at the corners, there's plenty of gap in the center so to speak, where the hilt inner wall is furthest away from bank, plus the beauty of these bank's is you can open their plastic casing up pretty easy- so I bet you could open the shell, and actually cut that casing to house the little board right in it! You could get it to sit in place tucked right into surface of bank :). 

One thing to watch for- might wanna find one that's got actual batteries inside it- 18650's seem pretty much to be the standard, but some banks use those little lithium polymer sacks (like in a phone/ iPad etc.)- might not hold up to dueling? Dunno

Phenomenal!  Thanks SO much for sharing!