C-3PO Eye Kit – Updated!

Description

An electronics led light kit to bring your 3PO alive. Just add power (please see separate listing) and you’ll be all set!

Video demo below.

Product Contents:

• Now with updated v1.3 eye boards for closer screen accuracy!
• 3 individual low profile boards for custom fitting
• Programmable addressable RGB leds for your own customisation (see tech spec for further information) though comes as standard with 3 pre-programmed alternative colours schemes.
• 90 degree headers for a better fitment and for those who wish to wear their protocol droid lids.
• 1 Push to make switch to cycle through colours (Classic, New Style or Sith Translation Scene).
• All leads included
• Gitlab Repo Access to config and support plate STL
• Choice of Micro USB or USB-C

The design of the boards allow for easy fitting into the head or the back torso panel – recommended if you’ll be wearing your full suit or making a large bust!

Each LED board is approx 32.5mm to 33mm in outer diameter. Nubs from manufacturing are left on for individuals to sand down or leave as necessary to achieve a good fit into their 3PO eye grills (not included).

The LED boards with their 90 degree headers allow each board to be located into the back of eye grills and a dab of hot glue or similar is suggested for those that do not have a 3d printer. For those that do, an STL file of a supporting plate is available on my Gitlab page mentioned in the Technical Spec below. You can scale and print accordingly to achieve a simple push fit. You’ll find it has a section cut out for the headers and more importantly a recess for the 10mm (approx) eye tubes, a nice little safety feature I thought.

Technical Specification:

This light kit consists of three custom made pcbs designed to mount low profile surface mounted LED’s and an Arduino Pro Micro driver board. The LED’s are individually programmable and addressable, driven by a ‘sketch’ created to cycle through a selection of pre-determined colour schemes using the analog input, push to make switch – creating a signal between the Ground and Signal ‘MODE’ pins. The switch lead itself can be wired either way around, it will not matter. Should you wish to extend the switch simply add a servo extension lead.

A Gitlab repository is available here for those wishing to download the sketch and potentially customise the kit for themselves. In a recent post you may also see I have created two new sketches! These are available for free download should you wish to have a more realistic feel to your droid, featuring a gradual on upon power up and occasional flickers and flashes. In addition you will find instructions in the code on what sections do what and how to change for your very own customisation. You can also find an STL file for a supporting plate which sit behind the LED boards.

The supporting plate has been designed for anyone wishing to 3d print the file and use as a push fit to secure the LED boards in position. Some fine adjustment may be required. The file has a recess on the inner hole, allowing the eye tubes to sit securely inside – you will just need to determine the length of the eye tubes from the front of the eye grills to this plate. It has specifically been designed for 10mm (approx) outer diameter  tubes which is a common fitment for 3PO eyes but can of course be scaled as required.

Each kit is powered by 5v. This is delivered via the Micro USB or USB-C cable – just add a power bank or battery pack (not included).Please note these boards take 5v ONLY, if sourcing your own power bank/battery pack please bear this in mind. Alternatively you can order one from my shop.

A number of connector wires are included and it is important to ensure each pin (Ground, VCC and Signal) is connected to the corresponding pin input/output on each board.  You will risk damage to the boards if you connect these the wrong way round.

Future plans are in the pipeline for this kit so over time you may see some changes. These will be documented on my blog here or you can use the footer navigation links to go directly to Categories and select “Droids”.

All kits are fully tested prior to dispatch.

Shipping:

I will endeavour to send all kit purchases within 5 working days of receiving your order.

If you have any questions or require further information please use my contact page to get in touch.

Refunds:

If in the event you are unhappy with your purchase please contact me, I must receive proof of postage and the item back before I can issue a full refund. Returns are at the buyers expense.

Finally a quick thank you for your interest!