Prep Wires
For this project we'll need 5 wires. Start off by measuring 8cm of length and cut 5 pieces of 26AWG wires. I recommend using Silicone-coated stranded wires. Remove about 4mm of insulation from the tips of each wire using wire strippers. Then, apply solder to the tips so they don't fray - this makes it easier to connect to the components as well.
Slide Switch
The slide switch comes with three legs, remove one of them using snips (we only need two). Trim the remaining two short (about half the length).Then, apply solder to them. Secure the switch to pair of Helping Third Hands to assist you. Get two of the five wires you made and solder them to the two legs of the slide switch. Add pieces of heat shrink tubing to insulate the exposed connections.
NeoPixel Wires
The remaining three wires will be used to connet the 24 x NeoPixel ring to the Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE.
Connect Wires to NeoPixel
Secure the NeoPixel ring PCB to a pair of Helping Third Hands. Apply solder to the Pwr 5V+, GND, GND and Data Input pins. Then, solder the three wires into them.
Connect Wires to Feather
Secure the Adafruit Feather to the Helping Third Hands and apply solder to the EN, GND, 3V and #6 pins. Now we can solder up the following connections.
- Pwr 5V+ from NeoPixel to 3V on Feather
- GND from NeoPixel to GND on Feather
- Data Input from NeoPixel to #6
Connected Switch to NeoPixel
Solder one of the two wires from the slide switch to the remaining GND pin on the NeoPixel ring. Then, solder the remaining wire from the Slide Switch to the EN pin on the Adafruit Feather.
Test Circuit
Now all of our wires and components are connected. It's a good idea to test out circuit before mounting things to the enclosure. Plug in the JST connector from the 500mAh battery into the JST port on the Adafruit Feather board. Flip the slide switch on and you should see red LED's flashing on the Adafruit Feather.
Install Mounting Screws
Grab the two #4-40 3/8 machine screws and tap the two mounting holes near the microUSB port of the Adafruit Feather. Do this very slowly and try to fasten them in as straight as possible. Fasten the two screws until they slightly protrude the bottom of the PCB.
Install Feather to Case
Insert the Adafruit Feather board into the case with the microUSB port facing the cutout. Adjust the Feather board so the machine screws are seated into the holes of the two standoffs. Hold the PCB onto the case and fasten the screws so they go into the case - You only need about 3-4 turns. Don't try to fasten them all the way through or you could poke through the bottom of the case.
Install Switch
Carefully insert the slide switch into the cutout on the opposite end of the microUSB cutout. Press it through the opening until the switch slightly sticks out the other side.
Install Slide Switch
The slide switch should hold in place with friction, but if you find it loose, you can use adhesives to permanently mount in place.
Install Battery and NeoPixel
Next up, place the 500mAh battery over the Feather board. Route the wire from the battery through the cavity and press it down so it's nested inside. Then, adjust the wires so the NeoPixel ring can sit on the circular mount. Make sure not to kink any of the wires.
Screw Top
Lay the top part over the case and start twisting it until the threads meet and fasten the two parts together.
Finished Assembly
And thats it! Now you have a pretty cool looking lamp shade. If you've made one, we'd love to see and share about it on the blog! You can post a "make" on the Thingiverse project page.
Trouble Shooting
If you have any technical issues or questions, please post them up in the Adafruit Forums so our dedicate engineering support team can assist you.
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