Just after getting back from 27c3 in early January Jeffrey and myself got talking about a project for TOG’s Paddy’s Day hackaton.
Our general idea was to create a little badge with LEDs in the shape of a shamrock. We were hoping for something small, light and bright with lots of LEDs. I said that I would do some more research to see if it would work and if it did to come up with a suitable circuit design.
I knew the general idea was to use a step-up (boost converter) to increase the voltage level so to that I could drive a string of LEDs. I then began to search manufactures sites for suitable components and relevant information.
After searching all the main contenders I found a very interesting range of chips in a small five pin surface mount package from ON Semiconductor. The most interesting options were the CAT4137 LED Driver, Boost, 5 LED and CAT4238 LED Driver, Boost, 10 LED. Another option from Linear Technology was the LT1932 – Constant-Current DC/DC LED Driver in ThinSOT. As I wasn’t sure what would work I ordered a couple of each component and the suggested supporting components. Along with lots of green surface mount LEDs.
I then designed and etched a simple proof of concept board. After soldering it up and connecting up a CR2032 coin cell battery it worked but I was disappointed with the brightness of the LEDs.
I then put the project on hold. Roll on a couple more weeks and I looked at this project again.
Investigating the proof of concept board I realised I had used a wrong resistor value and was trying to supply 30 milliamperes instead of 10 milliamperes into the string of LEDS. Changing this didn’t really help increase the brightness. But it did point me in the direction that I was just trying to draw too much current from the battery.
I found the following blog post on using cr2032 coin cells from Marcus from Interactive Matter (who I meet at 27c3) very informative. Connecting up the circuit to two AAA batteries solved the brightness problem.
I have now reworked the board into a near final layout. And as a token gesture to the 14th of February (Valentines Day) I’ve created a design in the shape of a heart.
Tomorrow I’ll finish the prototype of the shamrock badge and post a picture. If I created a kit would you be interested in buying it?
Update: Here is the photo of the prototype for the shamrock badge. When we looked at it after I assembled the badge it was hard to make out the leafs also I might change the resistor value to increase the brightness.