Difference between revisions of "Santa Cap"
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Dirknerkle (talk | contribs) |
ErnieHorning (talk | contribs) (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.) |
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| − | 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 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. |
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| + | 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. The following video shows the completed Santa cap in operation: [https://vimeo.com/64474706 '''SANTA CAP VIDEO''' ] | ||
'''Materials in this build:''' | '''Materials in this build:''' | ||
* Inexpensive felt Santa Cap purchased via eBay | * Inexpensive felt Santa Cap purchased via eBay | ||
* HeadBlinker wireless controller with 9-volt battery | * 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. | * 12 RGB led carriers. | ||
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'''Assembly:''' | '''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. | * 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. | ||
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[[File:Cap0.JPG|400px]] [[File:Cap1.JPG|400px]] | [[File:Cap0.JPG|400px]] [[File:Cap1.JPG|400px]] | ||
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* Solder the LEDs to the led carriers. | * Solder the LEDs to the led carriers. | ||
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[[File:Led_carriers.JPG|400px]] | [[File:Led_carriers.JPG|400px]] | ||
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* Solder the carriers into a strip long enough to fit around the cap's white headband. Connect the strip to the controller and test. | * Solder the carriers into a strip long enough to fit around the cap's white headband. Connect the strip to the controller and test. | ||
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[[File:Carrier_strip.jpg|400px]] | [[File:Carrier_strip.jpg|400px]] | ||
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* 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. | * 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. | ||
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[[File:Tuck_leds.JPG|400px]] [[File:Leds.JPG|400px]] | [[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. | + | |
| + | * Place the completed controller assembly inside the cap. When worn, the folded top of the Santa cap helps retain the controller, while gravity keeps it positioned inside. Tack-stitching the fur headband from the inside also helps keep the wiring hidden and securely in place. 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. | ||
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[[File:Cap2.JPG|400px]] | [[File:Cap2.JPG|400px]] | ||
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| + | '''Editor's Note (2026):''' Although this project was originally built using the HeadBlinker controller, the same construction technique can be adapted to many small modern controllers capable of driving RGB LEDs or pixels. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:30, 21 July 2026
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.
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. The following video shows the completed Santa cap in operation: SANTA CAP VIDEO
Materials in this build:
- Inexpensive felt Santa Cap purchased via eBay
- HeadBlinker wireless controller with 9-volt battery
- 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.
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.
- Solder the LEDs to the led carriers.
- Solder the carriers into a strip long enough to fit around the cap's white headband. Connect the strip to the controller and test.
- 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.
- Place the completed controller assembly inside the cap. When worn, the folded top of the Santa cap helps retain the controller, while gravity keeps it positioned inside. Tack-stitching the fur headband from the inside also helps keep the wiring hidden and securely in place. 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.
Editor's Note (2026): Although this project was originally built using the HeadBlinker controller, the same construction technique can be adapted to many small modern controllers capable of driving RGB LEDs or pixels.