If you are faced with the task of how you can stand out from the gray masses, this article offers detailed instructions on how to do it yourself make luminous sneakers (well, or other shoes). For these purposes, such a modern electronic element as an electroluminescent wire. Such a wire is a very thin wire that has a phosphor layer. When applying alternating current, this layer begins to glow. In this regard, special inverters are used to power such wires. Thereby adaptation The direct current from the battery is converted to alternating current, which feeds our wire.
It is also important to note the fact that the inverter power must be selected for a specific wire length. If the inverter is weak, then the wire will glow dimly. For example, if the inverter is designed for a wire length of 50 cm, then a longer wire will already glow differently than expected. A separate inverter is installed on each shoe.
As for the power source, in our case the author uses a rechargeable battery. It is also important here that its power is sufficient for normal and continuous operation of the inverter.
Materials and tools for homemade:
- fishing line;
- charger (necessary for charging batteries);
- inverter for electroluminescent wire;
- "Velcro" (textile Velcro);
- wires;
- two batteries (for each shoe);
- heat shrink;
- connectors;
- solder;
- electroluminescent wire;
- wide elastic.
From the tools you need to take a soldering iron with solder, dremel, scissors, screwdrivers, awls, pliers and so on.
The process of making luminous sneakers:
Step one. Wire preparation
First, you need to install a connector on the wire. To do this correctly, it is recommended that you read the instructions for soldering neon. In the photo you can see how it all will look in the end.
Step Two Install the luminous wire in sneakers
To run a wire, you need to make a hole in the sneakers. For these purposes, the author used an awl and a screwdriver.With the help of an awl, a hole is pierced in the right place, and then it can be expanded with a screwdriver. Then the wire can be threaded through the hole.
To fix the wire, it must be sewn with fishing line. You only need to make a few stitches. According to the author, it is unnecessary to fasten the wire along the entire length. It is enough to sew it in four places. Due to stiffness, the wire will hold well and hold its shape.
Step Three Inverter Preparation
Due to the fact that the author’s inverter used a battery for motherboards, it had to be replaced with a lithium-polymer battery so that the battery could be charged. If you are afraid to use such batteries, it is not necessary to redo the inverter.
To install a lithium-polymer battery, the inverter must be disassembled and then soldered to the board. You will also have to modify the cover so that it is put on, since the wires will interfere here. Now the inverter with the battery can be attached to the sneakers. The author set the elements so that they could be easily removed, since the electronics was planned to be used for other projects. To mount the inverter, you need Velcro Velcro. She holds the inverter well, and it is unlikely to fall out when using home-made.
In conclusion, you will need to sew a special patch from a wide elastic band with Velcro that will protect the inverter and the battery. Due to the fact that the force of the Velcro was not enough to hold the elastic, it was subsequently stitched from the inside of the shoe.
That's all, the homemade product is ready. You can go to the test.