FX-Sabers.com

The S.A.B.E.R. GUILD: Saber Manufacturers => Plecter Labs => Topic started by: Novastar on August 04, 2008, 05:09:15 PM

Title: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Novastar on August 04, 2008, 05:09:15 PM
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
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: LANDO CALRISSIAN on August 04, 2008, 05:14:16 PM
This is great. Good job bringing this to us Novastar. I have stickied this.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Novastar on August 04, 2008, 05:17:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: LANDO CALRISSIAN on August 04, 2008, 05:24:31 PM
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
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: BEN KENOBI on August 04, 2008, 06:04:49 PM
 ;D

wow thanks nova star!!I've wired one up before;but,I can always learn something new!! ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Vosk on August 04, 2008, 07:07:53 PM
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. :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Luke S. on August 05, 2008, 03:35:05 AM
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. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: HallowMan on August 06, 2008, 10:38:19 AM
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.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: darthmorbius on August 06, 2008, 11:13:18 AM
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
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Novastar on August 07, 2008, 03:52:21 PM
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.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: LANDO CALRISSIAN on August 07, 2008, 03:54:29 PM
Quote
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
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: darthmorbius on August 08, 2008, 08:17:54 AM
Quote
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
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: LANDO CALRISSIAN on August 08, 2008, 03:48:30 PM
NO



I would be in the fetal position on the floor crying for mommy. The shaking would be later during therapy. ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Lord Dracus on August 08, 2008, 07:58:38 PM
   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. ::)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Novastar on October 10, 2008, 12:04:47 AM
Lord D., it appears your wish may come true very soon... you never know, but hopefully it won't take a Djinni ina boddle.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: LadySythe on October 10, 2008, 12:20:40 AM
First, is this thread stickied, second... is this for the CF4 or any CF boards??

EDIT: Renig first question! lol
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Novastar on October 26, 2008, 02:49:36 PM
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
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: LadySythe on October 26, 2008, 03:42:38 PM
Thanks...for FINALLY answering!  ::)  :D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Novastar on January 13, 2009, 05:16:04 AM
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!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Matzzn on April 02, 2013, 10:25:03 AM
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
Title: Re: Crystal Focus VIDEO Wiring Guide!!!
Post by: Caine on April 02, 2013, 11:48:58 AM
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!