Description: Flux Capacitor
I will be constructing a replica of the Flux Capacitor prop from Back to the Future. It will be the main element in my Marty McFly costume. The purpose of this prop is to promote delight with a touch of nostalgia.
Circuit Diagram
Tinkercad Link
I am trying to figure out my circuit diagram, but need some assistance. This is where I have gotten to so far.
To Do:
– Add push button to cycle through 2-3 different light sequences
– Update light sequences (elaboration in Arduino section below)
Arduino
Pseudocode:
1. Mechanical button input activated
2. 3 Yellow Neopixel LED strips slow chasing sequence (from outside to inside)
3. The mechanical button is pushed to initiate the next light sequence in the cycle
4. Three Yellow Neopixel LED strips fast chasing sequence (from outside to inside)
5. The mechanical button is pushed to initiate the next light sequence in the cycle
6. Three Yellow Neopixel LED strips, fast blinking
7. Mechanical button pushed to turn off (or can I make it so that holding button for a determined amount of time turns off)?
Materials/Parts
Hardware
– 3 Neopixels (8 LEDs per strip)
– Gemma (have)
– Breadboard Wires (have)
– USB battery pack (have)
Other Supplies
– Solder (have)
– Stranded Wire (have)
– Cardboard Box (similar shape, hinging)
– Spray paint (dark gray)
– Transparent film
– Clear vinyl tubing (determine interior diameter to fit Neopixel into)
– Large flat washers (try to find sold individually)
– Red lable tape
-Spark plug wires (kind of $$$, maybe find alt)
– Paint for spark plug (orange, yellow)
Tools
– Soldering Iron
– Wire Snips
– Wire Strippers
– Hot glue
– Super Glue (best kind?)
– Box Cutter
– Label Maker
– Drill
– 3D printer (optional if spark plugs don’t work out)
To-Do List
1. Complete circuit diagram
2. Figure out Arduino code
3. Purchase supplies after 1:1 meeting (Neopixels and finding correct box size are priority)
5. Map out box with 1:1 scale to ensure fit
4. Once circuit diagram has been finalized solder Neopixels to Gemma
Progress
Manya’s Flux Capacitor Pt 2
PROGRESS
- Working on Button Cycler code
- Bought supplies (transparent window, chain, tubing, hose, 3 NeoPixel strips)
TINKERCAD
Having some trouble simulating button cycling.
TO BUY/SOURCE
- Spark plugs or metal elbow fittings
- Yellow latex tubing
- Spray paint (look to see if PoD has gold)
- Confirm Tristan has label maker/red or gold labels
TO DO
BOX
- [ ] Create box dielines based on Neopixel size
- [ ] Make box out of chipboard (cut by hand if no laser cutter)
- [ ] Figure out where to put button hole
- [ ] Create false bottom of box with holes cut out for wires, top surfaces is where components will attach, below false bottom is where hardware is housed
- [ ] Spray paint box/false bottom metallic (silver or gold)
- [ ] Attach transparent sheet to back of window on the front of the box
HARDWARE
- [ ] Solder wire to 3 NeoPixel strips
- [ ] Solder wires (from NeoPixel strips) to Gemma
- [ ] Solder tactile button to Gemma
ATTACHMENT
- [ ] Attach washers (spray paint gold) to surface
- [ ] Place/attach NeoPixel strips in clear tubing
- [ ] Attach spark plugs/tubes to washers
- [ ] Place Gemma and USB battery pack underneath false bottom
- [ ] Place button into hole on side of box
FINALIZE
- [ ] Attach false bottom to box via adhesive
- [ ] Figure out if I want to add latch to box
- [ ] Attach tubing to box exterior
- [ ] Attach chain/handle to box, potential spray paint gold (if I decide to paint box gold)
SOFTWARE
- [ ] Finalize Button Cycler code
QUESTIONS
- Should I create a flap on back of box to access hardware?
- How much wire do I need to attach NeoPixels on surface of false bottom to Gemma at bottom of box?
Manya’s Flux Capacitor Pt 3
PROGRESS
- Spray-painted components (washers, spark plugs, tubing,
- Laser-cut chipboard
- Sealed chipboard (PVA (light layer of white glue) + water (1:1 mix))
- Folded box into 3D form, used a mixture of adhesives (Tacky glue, Tombow Extreme Adhesive)
- Gold spray paint (3 coats)
- Soldered circuit (Gemma M0, stranded wire, tactile button, 3 Neopixels (RGBW Natural White, 8 LEDS)
- Tested circuit using Arduino Sample button cycler and strand test
- Finalized Arduino code and Tinkercad
TO DO
- Attach chain handle (still figuring this out)
- Attach wires/tubes to spark plugs
- Fix component adhesions (try hot glue)
- Final spray paint layer over attached parts
- Black nail polish over Neopixel components
- Test final Arduino code with final circuit
- Protect circuitry prior to inserting/attaching to box?
- Insert circuit into box (Neopixels into tubing)
- Attach circuitry and hardware to box (how does the button
- Attach screen to box window
- Make and attach label (thank you Tristan)
LEARNINGS
- Figure out how to order progress (spray paint components after adhering?)
- Test circuit while soldering in order to problem solve if things go wrong (this didn’t happen to me, but noted for future, thank you Wini)
- The insert should be smaller than the box it is intended to fit into (see dielines below), making it work this time
