Measure Headband
First up, we need to take some measurements of the length of our headphone band using a tape measurer. This will vary depending on your head size. Mine needs to be 44cm. Our jumper cables are only 30cm long so we need to extend them. We can do that by splicing new wires to the existing ones.
Prep Jumper Cables
We'll need to tare off five wires from the bundle of jumper wires. Remove these as a grouped cable and try to pick a variant of colors that matches the photos.
Remove Connectors from Cable
Next, we need to remove the plastic connector parts from the jumper cable using a hobby knife. Remove the plastic protector by inserting the tip of the blade into the flap, pull it out and slide it off. Then chop the metal connector pieces off. Repeat this process for the other end.
Prep Extension Wires
We’ll need to measure and cut 10 new pieces of 30AWG silicone coated stranded wires to about 7cm in length. Try using colored wires that match the jumper cable. Using wire strippers, remove about 5mm of insulation and apply a bit of solder to tin them. Do this to both ends of each wire.
Strip & Tin Jumper Cable
Using wire strippers, remove about 5mm of insulation for each wire from both ends of the jumper cable. Use a helping third hand to hold wires in place while soldering. Apply solder to each wire to tin them. Cut two pieces of heat shrink tubbing to about 3cm in length. These should match the length of the jumper cable wires that are separated like in the photo.
Connect Extension Wires to Jumper Cable
Solder the extension wires to the jumper cable by heating up the tinned wires together. Try to match up the colors. Use a helping third hand to hold wires in place while you solder. Cut pieces of heat shrink tubing to insulate the exposed wires. Use tip of soldering iron to shrink tubing. Add a larger second piece of heat shrink tubing to group the bundle of extension wires. Repeat for the other side of cable.
Extended Jumper Cable
You now have a jumper cable thats long enough to wrap around the entire headphone band. Measure the length and place it over your pair of headphones to see if it’s long enough. It should go a bit past the headphone ear cups. Mine measures out to be 44cm in length.
Thread Extension Wires
Next up, grab the case for the Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE. Insert and thread one side of the extension wires from the jumper cable through the little opening on the side of the case. Make sure to pull the wires through until you reach the heat shrink tubbing.
Create Extra Wires for NeoPixel Ring
Now we need to make three new pieces of 30 AWG silicone coated stranded wires - These will be connected to first NeoPixel ring to the Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefrit LE. They need to measure about 7cm in length. Use wire stripper to remove 5mm of insulation and apply solder to the tips to tin both sides for each wire.
Connect Extra wires to Adafruit Feature 32u4 Bluefruit LE
Next we need connect these extra wires to the Adafruit Feather board. Secure the Adafruit Feather board to a pair of helping third hands and position the case with wires in close proximity. Apply solder to the following pins on the Adafruit Feather - Pin #6, BAT and GND. Now solder the extra wires into these tinned pins. Also, solder the green wire from the jumper cable to pin #6 on the Adafruit Feather.
Prep 500mAh Lipo Battery
Now we need to prep the 500mAh lipo battery. Start by cutting the wire from battery. Be sure to cut one wire at a time! DO NOT cut both positive and negative wires at same time - Doing that could short the battery out, which is very dangerous. Add a piece of electrical/gaffer tape to one of the wires as a safety precaution.
Prep JST Connector From Lipo Battery
Next up, we need to remove 5mm of insulation of the positive and negative wires from the wires of JST connector we cut away from the lipo battery. Apply solder to tin each wire. Use a pair of helping third hands to assist you while soldering.
Connect Jumpers to JST Connector from Battery
Now we can wire up the jumper cable to the wires of the JST connector. Add some pieces of heat shrink to insulate exposed connections before soldering. Secure to pair of helping third hands to make soldering easier. Then, solder the red and blue extension wires from the jumper cable that’s threaded through the case of the Adafruit Feather case. Lastly, slide heat shrink over exposed connetions and apply heat to insulate them.
Plug JST connector to Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE
Go ahead and plug in the male JST connector into the female JST connector on the Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE.
Mount Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE to case.
Position the Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE board into the case with the USB port facing the port opening (inserting at an angle may help). Carefully push the board all the way into the case, making sure not to kink any wires. Position the wires from the JST connector so that they're nestled into the channel.
Connect Wires to First NeoPixel Ring
Next up, let’s secure our first 16x NeoPixel ring to a pair of helping third hands. Apply solder to all of the pins (except the data out). Now we can solder in extra wires from the Adafruit Feather Bluefruit LE to the pins on the NeoPixel Ring. Yellow to PWR, green to DATA IN and white to GND. Also, connect the yellow and white wires from the jumper cable to the secondary PWR and GND pins.
Install First NeoPixel Ring into Case
Now we can mount the NeoPixel ring to the Adafruit Feather case. Carefully position the wires so they’re not being kinked. Lay the NeoPixel ring over the circular riser and route the wires so they’re in a position where they’re not being kinked. The PCB of the NeoPixel ring should nestle nicely into the circular riser. It’ll have slightly loose tolerance. Then, position the cover over the case and twist it until it’s tightly secured to the case. If the cover doesn't fully close all the way, the wires are probably in the way - try to route them into the available channels.
Prep Slide Switch
Secure the slide switch to the helping third hands. Remove one of the leads thats on the far side, like shown in the photo. Apply solder to the two remaining leads to tin them.
Test Fit Slide Switch
Next up we need to see if the slide switch can fit into the opening of the battery case. You need to use a hobby knife or filing tool to remove material from the overhang - this will loosen up the opening so the slide switch can freely fit through. Insert the Slide Switch through the opening, pushing it all the way through the other side. It should be a slightly loose fit. Remove slide switch from opening when test fit is achieved.
Thread Wires from Jumper to Battery Case
Insert the extension wires from the other end of the jumper cable through the hole in the side of the battery case. Be sure to pull them all the way through, until you reach the heat shrink tubbing.
Connect Slide Switch to Battery
Grab the 500mAh lipo battery and remove 5mm of insulation from the positive wire. Apply solder to tin the wire, using third helping hands for assistance. Add a piece of heat shrink tubbing to the positive wire. Solder this wire to one of the leads on the slide switch. Slide the heat shrink over the exposed connection and apply heat for insulation.
Connect Jumper Cable to Slide Switch
Solder the red extension wire from the jumper cable to the remaining lead of the slide switch. Add a piece of heat shrink tubbing before soldering wire to slide switch. Apply heat to heat shrink to insulate the exposed connection.
Connect Ground from Jumper Cable to Battery
Strip the end of the negative wire from the 500mAh lipo battery and apply solder to tin the wire. Solder the negative wire from the battery to the blue extension wire from the jumper cable. Add heat shrink tubbing and apply heat to insulate the exposed connection.
Connect Second NeoPixel Ring
Now we can wire up the second NeoPixel Ring. Secure the PCB to the third helping hands and apply solder to all of the pins (except for the DATA OUT pin). Solder in the extension wires from the jumper cable to the NeoPixel ring - green to DATA IN, yellow to PWR, and white to Ground.
Install Slide Switch to Battery Case
Carefully insert the slide switch into the battery case from the inside - Use a hobby knife or filing tool to help you guide the switch through the opening - It should go through the other side with enough room to access the switch.
Mount Battery to Case
Carefully place the 500mAh battery into the cavity of the battery case, follow the photo for best position and orientation. Position the positive wire so that it’s nestled in the channel.
Install Second NeoPixel Ring into Battery Case
Just like the first NeoPixel Ring, carefully position the PCB into the case making sure not to kink any wires. Position and route the wires so they’re nicely nestled into the channels.
Mount Cover to Battery Case
Now we can screw on the second twisty top cover to the battery case. Secure it tightly. If it doesn’t close all the way, you’ll need to remove the cover and ensure the wires are nicely tucked into the channels and out of the way.
Completed Circuit Assembly
Congratulations! You have completed the circuit and mounted it to the enclosures. It’s pretty much stand alone ready to test at this point - Flip the slide switch and watch for the NeoPixel rings to flash the starting initiation. If they don’t, you’ll need to double check your wiring.
Next up, we need to mount the cases to the ear cups of the headphones!
Test Fit Assembly onto Headphones
Position the two cases onto the ear cups of the headphones - Does the length of wire fit? If it does, it’s safe to mount the cases to the side of the ear cups.
Mount Cases to Headphones
The most non-destructive way to mount the cases to the side of the headphone is to use mounting tack. This will give a pretty decent hold to the cases. If you’d like a more permanent hold, you can alternatively use adhesives such as hot glue or E6000.
Mount Cases to Headphones
The most non-destructive way to mount the cases to the side of the headphone is to use mounting tack. This will give a pretty decent hold to the cases. If you’d like a more permanent hold, you can alternatively use adhesives such as hot glue or E6000.
Mounted Cases on Headphones
I recommend positioning the headphones so the slide switch from the battery case is easily accessible. The opening for the USB port of the Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE should be pointing down so it matches the orientation of the headphone cable.
Finished NeoPixel Ring Headphones
Now you’re ready to rock the spectrum with your NeoPixel LED Headphones Upgrade! When the battery runs low, you can plug in a microUSB cable to the USB port on the Adafruit Feather Bluefruit LE. Use a 5V power source such as your computer’s USB ports or wall adapter.
Enjoy your upgrade and post a MAKE on the project Thingiverse page to let us know you've made one - We LOVE to see what you've made!!
Page last edited December 29, 2015
Text editor powered by tinymce.