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The S.A.B.E.R. GUILD: Saber Manufacturers => Plecter Labs => Topic started by: Novastar on August 04, 2008, 05:09:15 PM
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CRYSTAL FOCUS VIDEO WIRING GUIDE (by Novastar)
For those interested in wiring up Crystal Focus LED sabers... whether you are planning to get a board, already have one that is waiting to be wired up, or whatever... here are some links to a Crystal Focus Detailed Video Wiring Guide that I have put together along with the help of Gundamaniac from TCSS.
* Four parts, each about ten minutes each
* All solders and actions shown
* Recharge port covered
* Kill pin shown
* Li-Ion "extra": wiring up a PCB for Li-Ions
* Motor "extra": short clip showing a vibration motor
For those who need a "newbie" wiring guide--it's there!
PART I:
PART II:
PART III:
PART IV:
Special thanks to Gundamaniac on TCSS for making the video a success by doing the wiring with his CF board while I did the camera work!
If you don't have a Crystal Focus board... never fear... keep your eyes open here in August and September!
Take care, and have fun with your lightsabers... ;)
--N-Star
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This is great. Good job bringing this to us Novastar. I have stickied this.
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Thanks Lando! I mean Grayven... I mean Robodragon... I mean... OHHHH, have fun with your light sabers, heheh
As it is, it's funny... I *JUST* recommended YOUR SW616 DIY tutorials to someone on TF.N. Now THOSE are some in-depth tutorials, heheh.
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I need to take a note from you on heatshrink. I'm very generous when it use it. I think that's why I always run out so fast. ::)
P.S. Love the other switch. ;D
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;D
wow thanks nova star!!I've wired one up before;but,I can always learn something new!! ;D
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Thanks Nova! This is actually very helpful for even just basic soldering. I sorta knew how to solder stuff before but I didn't know I had to pre-solder (I guess from what you said in the video) the wires before actually joining them. Boy that sure makes a lot more sense and see why it's more useful. I would always wonder why when ever I soldered something it would come apart. :-\
At least now with this video if I ever do a conversion of my own this will be helpful. Saving to my favorites. :)
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Cool very sweet Nova. Again you are a great help with the CF. Mine is already together but nice to watch one go together. Now I know I did mine properly. ;D Nice to know the Gremlins are not in the wiring.
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Thank You Nova for the videos, I thought that We would see the Master wearing a jedi costume, what happened with that(LOL). Again excellent work :o.
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Great guide, but may I make a suggestion?
It is advisable to not solder while the SD card is in the socket. It's not that it is a major issue, but for people that are not comfortable with an Iron it is better to be safe than sorry. ;)
You don't want to slip up and melt the SD card on accident. ;D
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Thank You Nova for the videos, I thought that We would see the Master wearing a jedi costume, what happened with that(LOL).
Actually I was completely naked for most of the video, which motivated Brian to complete everything with HASTE. :) The last part when you see me come in front of the camera is when I finally donned some digs... I figured I'd tortured Brian enough at that point. ... ... ... the lawsuit is pending, but the mental damage is done. :D
Totally kidding.
Oh, and as to having the SD card in--it has absolutely no relevance whatsoever during soldering. Especially with a 15w to 25w iron. Unless you are holding the iron in place on the board for 5+ seconds. Which would just be stupid... whether or not the SD card WAS in! :)
Also, everyone should note that the batteries were not connected until the 11th hour. No current, no worries.
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Actually I was completely naked for most of the video, which motivated Brian to complete everything with HASTE.
Oh is that why his hands where so shaky? ::)
Lando
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Actually I was completely naked for most of the video, which motivated Brian to complete everything with HASTE.
Oh is that why his hands where so shaky? ::)
Lando
Wouldn't yours be? :D
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NO
I would be in the fetal position on the floor crying for mommy. The shaking would be later during therapy. ;D
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I have yet to get a CF Board. :( Eventually I will get one. :-\ Most of my sabers have MR. Boards. :)
I hear nothing but rave reviews and I hope to aquire one soon. ::)
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Lord D., it appears your wish may come true very soon... you never know, but hopefully it won't take a Djinni ina boddle.
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First, is this thread stickied, second... is this for the CF4 or any CF boards??
EDIT: Renig first question! lol
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God, why am I so SLOW to respond on FX-Sabers?? I don't know. Everyone: please forgive.
Shaak, the wiring guide is pretty much going to work for most ANY version of CF. Certainly v3 and v4. :) Good question though.
You'll notice we don't mention nor use the "clash on flash" setup (because Gundamaniac wasn't using that)... but we do show a bit about wiring indicator LEDs and even a small vibration motor to go "along with" the Luxeon LED (or high-current LED... since Seoul P4s are starting to become more popular, etc. etc.).
The most simple way to wire a CF (ignoring most all of the "extras" or goodies), would be EXTREMELY close to how an Ultrasound would get wired up... only you'd have the auxillary (AUX) switch as well.
So:
ULTRA'S (any version):
* LED + and -
* Battery + and -
* SPK contacts (2)
* On/Off Switch contacts (2)
CRYSTAL FOCUS (any version):
* LED + and -
* Battery + and -
* SPK contacts (2)
* On/Off Switch contacts (2)
* Auxillary Switch contacts (2)
A DIRECT DRIVE / RESISTOR SABER:
* LED + and -
* Battery + and -
* On/Off Switch ... a latching switch that just bridges the gap over EITHER + *OR* -
So... good question, Shaak. But one thing is for certain--the theoretical wiring is easy... it's the ACTUAL job of figuring which wires will bridge where and how you'll organize wiring/quick-disconnects that becomes the hard work... as seen in the four-part video.
Not to mention, once you start adding extras to CF... you start getting into a lot of bloody wires! :D Four LED indicators (or more!!), a motor, a small LED "mimicking" the Luxeon current, a recharge port + kill switch setup... uh, yeah--it starts to get wack trying to stuff all that into a 10" sink tube of 1.25" OD. :D
It's like trying to stick your saber in a cheerio. :P
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Thanks...for FINALLY answering! ::) :D
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For those of you who are receiving your CF boards... PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE use this tutorial prior to asking a ton of questions!
Not only does Erv's .pdf for v4 (and all his CF versions for that matter) explain things in GENEROUS detail... the four-part video that Gundam and I did should really troubleshoot about 90% of the things that might come up.
This isn't to say that specialty wiring (such as wiring a motor to mimic the Luxeon current) can't become a good question, but... it's mostly all answered in the video tutorial and/or past threads/forums.
Good luck... enjoy... and don't forget to post some videos of what you've done--hopefully as responses to this video:
You might even shoot some footage "as you go" to help others in need as well for later on. Or maybe show a specialty wiring example (such as crystal chambers, or motors or... whatever!)
THANKS!!!
Take care, and have fun with your lightsabers!
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Good day saber-enthusiasts,
Thanks at first for your video guide - It was very helpful for me in the past.
After some time i decided to order a CF 6.5 (I was lucky to get one of the last 6 pieces) inorder to build a new Luke ROTJ lightsaber with a triple cree (Green-Green-White).
So before I am setting up everything I was about to ask for help especially in case of the wiring of the activation-, aux-button and GND. Especially in the CF 6 generation the solderspots for activation-, aux-button and GND have been placed different? There is no 1-3-5 solder spot coordination like mentioned in your video - right?
(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi45.tinypic.com%2F2vbtq9e.png&hash=a7a74fa339407d183ce252584e9b5fcd0724cfe3) - As I never learned the basics of electrotechnics I am asking regarding the meaning of this wiring diagram (the shown vertical line @ act. switch stands for the switch itself i assume? And I also found a wiring diagram in a german forum where the wiring diagram of these three spots is illustrated different - Look what I mean --(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi49.tinypic.com%2F18iu81.jpg&hash=976e37b47efb355570a9e8c9e1fc7965cc17a006) -- the setup of the switches is also connected to recharge port minus which goes to battery minus ?! I am a bit confused ^^ because you never did this in your video.
Regarding the wiring of a triple Cree with to the onboard FOC of the CF i am also having some general questions -
I found this graphic in Erv´s description - (https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi50.tinypic.com%2F2aikfux.png&hash=4d1d5f98a38965596a27b5a1de7be1cff7cb8780) -
Could anyone edit this picture and replace it with a triple cree - I would be very thankful If someone would take this time in order to clear my concerns of my new project :) As I am a noob in case of electrical calculation of batterie for the systeme and the general need for resistors I am also asking for my battery setup - In my last project I used a (2xTrustfire 14500 900mAh, 3.7V Li-ion) Setup - would that be also sufficient for my
CF 6.5 - Triple Cree - onboard white FOC project? :)
I am glad that this forum exists! Thanks for everyone how reads this and also for your feedback.
Best wishes
Mathias
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The video features a C.F. 3, which was the latest version at the time of the video's release. There has been a substantial change in many features of the CF since that time.
The manual ought to have exactly what you need to answer your wiring questions as well.
Good luck!