Tutorial - Build an Orb Tool | Light Painting Photography - light-paint.com

Orb at Skidbrooke Church
Abstract Light Painting on the Beach
Orbs, Dome and Wool Spin
Phantom in the Church - Light Painting
An orb on the beach
Moon lit orb
Abstract Light Painting with Wool Spin
Lightman Under Fire

Tutorial - Build an Orb Tool

You are here: Home » Tutorials & Tools » Tool Building Tutorials » Build an Orb Tool

Many light sources can be used to make orbs in Light Painting such as battery powered Christmas lights, however a custom made tool can work much better.This tutorial will explain how to make an orb tool in any colour you want, and has the ability to turn the lights on and off with one hand while swinging the tool with your other hand.

Before you begin...

This tutorial assumes a knowledge of soldering to a basic level. Provided below are some links which will help you learn how to solder if you do not already know. Correct wiring of the LEDs and resistors is also required, and the resistor values will vary depending on the LEDs used. Links to further information about LEDs and resistors are provided below.

Further Resources

Soldering Wire Tutorial
This basic introduction to soldering wires covers the techniques required for this tutorial.

The full soldering tutorial
This is the full soldering tutorial if you want to develop your soldering skills further

LED Array Wizard
The wizard will calculate the resistors needed and show you a circuit diagram for your LEDs

The Button

The type of button you use is up to you, however you will probably find the easiest type to use is a push-to-make switch, also known as a momentary switch. This type of switch will turn on while you press the button down, and turn off as soon as you release the button.

Batteries and Voltage

If you are building an array consisting of many LEDs you may want to consider using 2 x 9v batteries to increase the voltage to 18v. This will allow you to build arrays with many more LEDs in series. Simply connect the two batteries together in series by connecting the red (positive) wire from one battery connector to the black (negative) wire of another connector. The remaining wires are the positive (red) and negative (black) wires to connect into your orb tool.

Things you will need...

A few LED's in your favourite colour
Suitable Resistors for LEDs (explained later)
A length of 2 core cable (around 2 metres)
Electrical Tape
9v Battery
9v Battery Connector
Push-to-Make Switch
Soldering Iron and Solder

Lets get going...

Click any thumbnail image to view full size

Step 1 - LED's and Resistors

The very first thing to do is decide how many LEDs you will be using and calculate what resistor will be needed. I have decided upon 9 LED's for this tool. Check the packaging or information from your supplier to find out the forward voltage and the forward current of your LED's. Use this information calculate the resistor required. A handy resource is the LED Series/Parallel Array Wizard which will work out the resistor required for you and provide you with a circuit diagram.

Step 2 - Twist together your first circuit.

Twist the legs of the LEDs together for the first circuit. All the circuits will be put together in parallel later. Twist a resistor onto the negative leg of the final LED.

Make sure your LEDs are the right way round. The positive leg of the LED is the longer one of the two, and usually goes into the smaller half inside the LED (if you can see inside it).

Step 3 - Solder

Now that all the parts of this circuit are twisted together, it's time to solder them to make the connections secure. Use the soldering iron to apply heat to the underside of the twisted parts and push the end of the solder onto the top. The solder will melt and coat the twist.

Step 4 - Make it easier to connect together

You may want to cut a few lengths of wire and solder them onto the positive leg of the first LED. This will help you connect all the circuits together later.

Step 5 - Repeat!

Make up the remaining circuits by repeating the steps above.

Step 6 - Insulate the legs.

Start by stripping back a length of cable. We'll be using the outer part to insulate the legs.

You don't want any of the legs to touch each other (except the ones you have just soldered together of course!) as this will cause a short-circuit. Insulate each of the legs by either wrapping them in tape or using the outer part of the wire we stripped to cover each of the legs. This can usually be pushed over the resistor too.

Step 7 - Insulate everything!

Repeat the above step of each circuit. Make sure that all the legs are insulated so nothing can short-out.

Step 8 - Connect the circuits together

Now it's time to connect everything together. Twist the lengths of cable together that connect to the positive legs of the LEDs. Twist all the bare resistor legs together.

Step 9 - Attach the cable.

Strip back a length of cable. This cable will go to the battery and switch so should be a good length, around 1.5 to 2 metres would be good. Twist one wire onto the positive wires from your orb tool, and twist the other wire onto the resistors. Solder them all into place, and remember which colour wire is positive and which is negative.

Step 10 - Insulate the new connections

Wrap some tape around each of the connections you have just made to insulate them.

Step 11 - Tape the LEDs together

Wrap all the LEDs in tape to secure them all together. Try to position the LEDs so they point in the right direction. They don't all have to point forward if you don't want, play around and see what happens.

Step 12 - Add some weight

You'll probably want to add some extra weight into your tool to help it swing around. I've used a couple of bolts, which I have simply taped to the outside of the LEDs.

Step 13 - Finishing Touches

Cover the whole lot using plenty of tape (leaving a space for the light to shine out the end of course). Stretch the tape a little, and make sure it's all nice and secure.

Step 14 - The other end!

Now it's time to start making the other end of the tool - the button and battery pack. Take your 9v battery connector and connect the live (red) wire into one of the terminals on the switch and solder it in place.

Step 15 - Connect your cable.

Strip back the other end of the cable that goes to your orb tool. Remember which colour was connected to the positive legs of the LEDs. Connect it to the other button terminal and solder in place.

Step 16 - Connect the negative wire!

Twist the remaining wire from the cable onto the negative (black) wire from the battery connector. Solder them together.

Step 17 - A quick test.

At this point you will probably want to test it all out. Make sure none of the wires or terminals are touching and connect the battery to the connector. Push your button and, all being well, you'll see the LEDs light up!

Step 18 - Insulate the connections

Now that we know everything is working, insulate the connection in the wires and the button terminals to ensure nothing can short-out. Just wrap some electrical tape around them.