CountDeMonet wrote:I plan on putting this configuration minus the bar graph into the pack as I bought enough components for my sons custom build to do it again.
Once I have the spirit pack in hand I'll be 3d printing a new wand for it. The 83% wand for my son's pack came out really well. My son is a lefty so his custom pack is mirrored for him.
I would love to do that but I can't find anywhere to get the thing printed for less then around $100.
Spongeface wrote: Thanks for the pointer. I saw multiple unboxing and eval videos, but missed the "take a part" portion. I have got to use more generic search terms!
Without examining the boards it is tough to tell, but I would guess the one next to the speaker may contain the controller and the wand may just be the switch and an LED.
I was hoping to see it could easily be updated, but it looks like the cyclotron lights are wired together so even that will probably need to be replaced instead of just tapping into the wires. Probably at least 3 boards; 2 to replace the cyclotron boards (mounting using the existing screws) and a powercell board to replace the hot glued single LED - will have to play around and see what a reasonable way to mount a board up there.
To bad the wand was not opened up so we could see how much room is in there. Would really like to add a fire button rather than just the on/off...
I'm sure the wand is almost entirely hollow but I'm not sure how much room it would have being so small.
Definitely needs to have the grills drilled out for a light and a properly placed activation.
Honestly, for me, the wand just needs to be replaced entirely. Problem is doing it for a reasonable price.
As far as electronics, not sure I would entirely throw out the original board but I also don't have any experience.
The sounds aren't great so disconnect the speaker and replace it with the $10 sound chip in the shop? Not sure how the chip works though, would have to look into it.
The activated lights are fine so keep the lights attached to the activation button but add a switch to activate a Chaser board and whatever option you chose for the power cell.
You can just hotglue the cycling LEDs to the currently attached board without much trouble.
EDIT: I should mention that I am looking at this from the view of putting as little money into it as possible.
I'm thinking $150 max, if I end up spending $200 on the thing then I might as well start putting together a proper pack at that point.