Santa Cap - Revision history

ErnieHorning: Added a brief introduction describing the project and its intended use, clarified the LED wiring and battery life descriptions, improved several assembly instructions for readability, added an editor's note explaining that the construction method can be adapted to modern wearable lighting controllers, updated the video introduction, and preserved the original construction process and photographs documenting this simple wearable lighting project.

2026-07-21T23:30:27Z

Added a brief introduction describing the project and its intended use, clarified the LED wiring and battery life descriptions, improved several assembly instructions for readability, added an editor's note explaining that the construction method can be adapted to modern wearable lighting controllers, updated the video introduction, and preserved the original construction process and photographs documenting this simple wearable lighting project.

Dirknerkle at 14:29, 11 May 2020

2020-05-11T14:29:46Z

Admin at 19:53, 10 September 2016

2016-09-10T19:53:51Z

Admin at 19:52, 10 September 2016

2016-09-10T19:52:53Z

Admin at 04:36, 10 September 2016

2016-09-10T04:36:38Z

Admin at 04:34, 10 September 2016

2016-09-10T04:34:36Z

Admin at 04:33, 10 September 2016

2016-09-10T04:33:22Z

Admin at 04:31, 10 September 2016

2016-09-10T04:31:23Z

Admin at 04:29, 10 September 2016

2016-09-10T04:29:40Z

Admin at 04:28, 10 September 2016

2016-09-10T04:28:11Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-A Santa cap is perhaps one of the easiest wearable blinky-flashy items because the cap has ample space to hold the controller while also offering a highly visible display piece. Here's a video of the finished cap in action: [https://vimeo.com/64474706 '''SANTA CAP VIDEO''' ]
+A lighted Santa cap is an easy wearable lighting project that works well for Christmas displays, parades, parties, and caroling. The soft cap provides plenty of room to conceal the controller and battery while the illuminated fur band creates a highly visible animated effect.
 '''Materials in this build:'''
 * Inexpensive felt Santa Cap purchased via eBay
 * HeadBlinker wireless controller with 9-volt battery
-* 12 RGB LEDs, wired in parallel so that all red, all green and all blue on on their own circuits. This requires only 3 channels to control all the leds, reducing some current draw and helping the battery to run a bit longer. A 9v should last about an hour. Rechargeable LiPo batteries last 3-5 hours.
+* 12 RGB LEDs, 12 RGB LEDs wired in parallel with all red, green, and blue elements grouped together on three control channels. This allows all LEDs to change color simultaneously while minimizing the number of controller outputs required. Wired in parallel so that all red, all green and all blue on on their own circuits. This requires only 3 channels to control all the leds, reducing some current draw and helping the battery to run a bit longer. A standard 9-volt alkaline battery typically provides about an hour of operation, while appropriately sized rechargeable LiPo battery packs can often power the cap for 3–5 hours, depending on the animation pattern and brightness. A 9v should last about an hour. Rechargeable LiPo batteries last 3-5 hours.
 * 12 RGB led carriers.
@@ Line 10: / Line 12: @@
 '''Assembly:'''
 * Assemble the HeadBlinker controller, attach battery to bottom with double-stick foam tape. The tape also acts as an insulator so you don't short out the solder pads.
 [[File:Cap0.JPG|400px]]  [[File:Cap1.JPG|400px]]
 * Solder the LEDs to the led carriers.
 [[File:Led_carriers.JPG|400px]]
 * Solder the carriers into a strip long enough to fit around the cap's white headband. Connect the strip to the controller and test.
 [[File:Carrier_strip.jpg|400px]]
 * Poke holes for the Leds in the white fur headband; poke through from behind, tucking the connection wire down near the bottom of the headband.
 [[File:Tuck_leds.JPG|400px]]   [[File:Leds.JPG|400px]]
 * Drop the controller into the inside of the cap. When wearing, the top will be flopped over to the side and gravity will keep the controller in. You can also see that the fur headband has been tack-sewed from the inside to make sure the wires stay tucked down behind the fur.
 [[File:Cap2.JPG|400px]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-A Santa cap is perhaps one of the easiest wearable blinky-flashy items because the cap has ample space to hold the controller while also offering a highly visible display piece.
+A Santa cap is perhaps one of the easiest wearable blinky-flashy items because the cap has ample space to hold the controller while also offering a highly visible display piece. Here's a video of the finished cap in action: [https://vimeo.com/64474706 '''SANTA CAP VIDEO''' ]
 '''Materials in this build:'''
@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 * Drop the controller into the inside of the cap. When wearing, the top will be flopped over to the side and gravity will keep the controller in. You can also see that the fur headband has been tack-sewed from the inside to make sure the wires stay tucked down behind the fur.
 [[File:Cap2.JPG|400px]]

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 '''Assembly:'''
-* Assemble the HeadBlinker controller, attach battery to bottom with double-stick foam tape.
+* Assemble the HeadBlinker controller, attach battery to bottom with double-stick foam tape. The tape also acts as an insulator so you don't short out the solder pads.
 [[File:Cap0.JPG|400px]]  [[File:Cap1.JPG|400px]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-A Santa cap is perhaps one of the easiest wearable blinky-flashy items because the cap has ample space to hold the controller while also offering a highly visible piece.
+A Santa cap is perhaps one of the easiest wearable blinky-flashy items because the cap has ample space to hold the controller while also offering a highly visible display piece.
 '''Materials in this build:'''
 * Inexpensive felt Santa Cap purchased via eBay
 * HeadBlinker wireless controller with 9-volt battery
-* 12 RGB LEDs, wired in parallel so that all red, all green and all blue on on their own circuits. This requires only 3 channels to control all the leds, reducing some current draw and helping the battery to run longer.
+* 12 RGB LEDs, wired in parallel so that all red, all green and all blue on on their own circuits. This requires only 3 channels to control all the leds, reducing some current draw and helping the battery to run a bit longer. A 9v should last about an hour. Rechargeable LiPo batteries last 3-5 hours.
 * 12 RGB led carriers.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:36, 10 September 2016
Line 24:		Line 24:
	[[File:Cap2.JPG\|400px]]		[[File:Cap2.JPG\|400px]]

−	'''* To see the finished cap ~~running~~, click here: [https://vimeo.com/64474706 ~~HeadBlinker in Action~~] '''	+	'''* To see the finished cap in action, click here: [https://vimeo.com/64474706 SANTA CAP ] '''

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:34, 10 September 2016
Line 24:		Line 24:
	[[File:Cap2.JPG\|400px]]		[[File:Cap2.JPG\|400px]]

−	'''* To see the finished cap running, click here:~~'''~~ [https://vimeo.com/64474706 HeadBlinker in Action]	+	'''* To see the finished cap running, click here: [https://vimeo.com/64474706 HeadBlinker in Action] '''

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:31, 10 September 2016
Line 24:		Line 24:
	[[File:Cap2.JPG\|400px]]		[[File:Cap2.JPG\|400px]]

−	* To see the cap ~~in action~~, click here: [https://vimeo.com/64474706 HeadBlinker in Action]	+	'''* To see the finished cap running, click here:''' [https://vimeo.com/64474706 HeadBlinker in Action]

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:29, 10 September 2016
Line 23:		Line 23:
	* Drop the controller into the inside of the cap. When wearing, the top will be flopped over to the side and gravity will keep the controller in.		* Drop the controller into the inside of the cap. When wearing, the top will be flopped over to the side and gravity will keep the controller in.
	[[File:Cap2.JPG\|400px]]		[[File:Cap2.JPG\|400px]]
		+
		+	* To see the cap in action, click here: [https://vimeo.com/64474706 HeadBlinker in Action]