18650 LED whoop gate

This is a remix of my EL wire Whoop Gate. The EL wire worked great in very dark rooms, but was not bright enough when lights were on. I found these "fairy lights" on amazon last year and swapped the EL wire for the led's. with a 10' length, the wire goes around the loop twice, or once folded in half.

After almost a year of use, the coin cells in the battery packs wore out. I decided to try using an 18650 as a replacement. It works quite well so I redesigned the gate to hold the cell and the switch.

Note, This does not have any cell protection built in, so I suggest using "protected" 18650 cells.

I've also modified the design to take velcro straps so they can be hung sideways/upside down etc.

This version requires a bit more work + soldering to put together, but results in a brighter, cleaner gate with rechargeable battery.

Required:

1. Fairy lights: 10 foot length. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K1J5YC1
2. 18650 battery tabs : https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HRTMY5T
3. The base is designed to re-use the switch from the fairy light battery case.
4. 1/2" pvc from Menards for base : https://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipe-tubing-hoses-fittings-accessories/cpvc-pipe/flowguard-gold-reg-cpvc-water-supply-pipe-sdr-11/cts120050600/p-1444426394192-c-8566.htm
5. 3/8" OD tubing from Menards for loop: https://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipe-tubing-hoses-fittings-accessories/hoses-tubing/polyethylene-tubing/sioux-chief-3-8-od-x-25-polyethylene-tubing/901-03103w0025m/p-1470660864282.htm

Instructions:

1. Cut a 59-60" long piece of the 3/8" diameter tubing
2. Tie a screw that fits loosely in the tube to some string or fishing line.
3. Feed screw with line through tube
4. Tape fishing line to end of lights wire
5. Pull lights wire through tube
6. Feed loop into gate base.
7. Disassemble battery pack.
8. Unsolder switch from battery pack. (positive wire)
9. Unsolder negative wire from battery pack
10. Feed wire through hole in gate base.
11. Measure distance from hole to switch location.
12. Cut positive wire and solder switch in-line with positive wire.
13. measure distance from hole to ends of battery compartment. Positive goes on the side with the switch. Cut + and - to length.
14. Solder + and - wires to the + and - terminals. Negative terminal gets the spring.
15. Push the switch into the switch holder. Use hot glue to mount it.
16. Bend the tabs on the battery terminals 90° inward.
17. Push battery tabs into slots in the base. The tabs do not need to be glued.
18. Insert battery.
19. snap battery cover into place.
20. reuse the screws from the original battery case to hold battery cover on.

the PVC pipe fits VERY tight into the gate. It helps to put a tapered end onto the PVC pipe (my oversized pencil sharpener works great for this.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Wanhao

Printer:

Wanhao Duplicator i3 Plus

Rafts:

No

Supports:

Yes

Resolution:

.24

Infill:

10%

Filament: Inland PLA

Notes:

Only the battery cell holder and cover need support. you can block support for all the circular holes, and for the loop holders. rnrnPrint battery cover with flat side down with support inside for best results. rnrnGate prints standing up as it would in real life.