The Paris Flyer CarouSol Kit is the latest product in our line of solar-powered kinetic desk toys. Borrowing design elements from the golden age of air travel , we've added our unique solar-electronics flair to create self-powered dynamic mobiles.
Inspired by the Ice Bulb published on Instructables, we decided to create our own version. Ice bulb suggests that we use a balloon to shape the ice and before it freezes, add an LED so that it can glow. Since we decided to use a whole bunch of LEDs (on a string), we opted to use a silicon brownie mold for multiple "bulbs" in less conventional shapes instead.
If you decide to try this too, you will need wire cutters, wire, needle, silicone mold, and our 3 meter LED string of any colour (we chose a red-green-blue one). If you are wondering where to find the mold we used, you can find one at your local Michaels. If you can't find a silicone mold, you can try using a metal muffin tin instead but this could cause your ice cubes to crack when they freeze.
Step 1. Cut seven wire strips, about 2" long. They don't need to be good looking, this is just for holding the LED string down to prevent it from moving around and make sure it freezes in the right position. We found that none of the sticky materials like gaffers tape or packing tape actually stuck to silicone, not to mention holding something in place, so wire will work the best.
Step 2. Bend the wires into a U shape - better to do it beforehand than trying to hold the unruly LED string in place with one hand, wire cutters in other, needle in the third one, and the wire to cut in the fourth. You notice the tendency, right?
Step 3. Do some math to space your LEDs evenly on the string. We decided that we wanted a 5 LED space between our ornaments and on both ends. That means (90-(5 x 7 spaces=35))/6= 9 LEDs per cell.
Step 4. Count out your LEDs for the first cell and wrap them in a loose ball like shown. Hold them in place, make a lead hole in the silicone with a needle and pin the LED string down with your U-shaped wire. Twist it in the back to keep the wire locked in place.
Step 5. Continue until you fill all the cells with the LED string. Make sure to adjust the string so it sits nicely in each cell and does not touch the edges or stick out of the mold.
Step 6. Fill the mold with water: the string is water/weather resistant. If you want the light to be more uniform within the star, cloud some cells with milk or cream (add just a few drops).
Step 7. Now that all the stars are ready, stick them in the freezer for a few hours until they are solid ice. The battery pack should be fine in the freezer as well but just make sure that it isn't resting on anything wet.
Step 8. Take out your frozen goodies, power them on and enjoy!
You can also reuse the mold and make multiples - we made a red ornament as well.
The Paris Flyer CarouSol Kit is the latest product in our line of solar-powered kinetic desk toys. Borrowing design elements from the golden age of air travel , we've added our unique solar-electronics flair to create self-powered dynamic mobiles.
For those who have used or are planning on using our Express (1-2 business day) shipping option to the United States: In recent years, Purolator, the Canadian shipping company who handles the Express shipments, had all parcels destined for the United States delivered by Airborne Express. This past year, Airborne Express was purchased by DHL. […]
It's the summer! Or something somewhat similar... And this is the summer issue of the new links. Not the last one, of course. Mechanical Ball Clock Wood? And marbles? And it's a clock?! This needs to be shown! (Via Dangerous Prototypes) Magnetic Sand Hourglass Don't we all love things to fidget with? This one will […]
For those of you with the Basic Stamp 2 addition* to the Sumovore here is some Code to get you started. You will need to download the Editor from Parallax to load and edit the code. *The BS2 add on board will be up for sale very soon
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Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.