Creative Switch
My original concept for this project was to create something playful, that would be easy to make, and easy for children to use. So I installed the LEDs to appear like little fireflies caught in a mason jar, an image that children can recognize and relate to. I made this by using the following materials: copper tape, a small mason jar shot glass, a 3volt button battery, electrical tape, 3 small LEDs, 2 large LEDs, a spring, solder, and a soldering iron.
1.) First, if there is any, you must scrape off the plastic that is located on the inside of the metal lid, or else the current from the battery won’t be able to travel through the lid.
2.) Next, when all the plastic is scraped off, use the electrical tape to attach the negative side of the battery to the bottom of the lid. Make sure that you don’t cover the center of the battery with the tape.
3.) Then, you will start to apply multiple strips of copper tape around the rim of the jar.
4.) Then you will use a spring, cut depending how long you need it, and solder the positive ends of the LEDs around the spring. Then solder the negative ends to the copper tape around the rim of the jar, so that the spring is in the center. Add a piece of copper tape to the end of the spring.
5.) Now in order for the to light to activate you have to twist the lid on to the jar until it lights. It will light because the copper tape touching the lid will give the LEDs the negative charge, but what will actually cause them to light will be when the positive side of the battery touches the spring giving off the positive charge to the LEDs.
