Zzz...Lite

[RonM]

Got a Zzz...Lite from Technology Associates. Even my wife, who teases me about being an LED nerd, thought it was cool. She said, "When this thing comes down to $10 we're buying a bunch of them for gifts!"

I think the Zzz is really an inovative product. Perhaps a more creative application of LEDs than even flashlights (oops, did I say that?). Only complaint is that it looks like something you cobbled up yourself at home. I had expected it to be a little more refined than a water bottle with colored LED's in it. Also, my battery pack and light assembly is floating around free inside the bottle. One end of the batt pack is supposed to be glued to this metal strip but mine arived separated. The metal strip keeps everyting anchored (I think).

Despite the little quibbles we all love this product, especially the kids. Whose turn is it to use it tonite?

 

[KenBar]

RonM,
I wanted a smaller model. I found out that a container in the supermarket for "Carnation" , I think, flavored coffee cream works perfectly. Put velcro in place of the copper back on and it fits perfectly. You will have a mini version of the Zzlite. Only certain types of white " water bottle type" plastic catch the light properly.

Send me email and I will send pic of the mod to you if you wish. I changed ISP and do not have access to post anymore.

This "smaller" Zzlite fits perfectly in your hand the light seems to be more pronounced.

I also put a strip of Alien skin around the battery pack and this collects during the day and puts a faint "green" glow so it is easy to find during the night.

This is without a doubt my favorite light for "night light" use.....when I can get it from my daughter who will not do without it.

I put a small cable time to the top of the light and a small cord. Now she can carry it like a swing lantern...and it hangs on her bed post for trips to the john at night.

 

[RonM]

Thanks for the offer to send a pic Wolfman. Your mod sounds just right. Check your email.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wolfman:
I put a small cable time to the top of the light and a small cord. Now she can carry it like a swing lantern...and it hangs on her bed post for trips to the john at night.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is it water resistant in this configuration, just in case your little girl drops it in the toilet? Kids do the darndest things, you know.

 

[vcal]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wolfman:
RonM,
I wanted a smaller model. I found out that a container in the supermarket for "Carnation" , I think, flavored coffee cream works perfectly. Put velcro in place of the copper back on and it fits perfectly. You will have a mini version of the Zzlite. Only certain types of white " water bottle type" plastic catch the light properly.
This "smaller" Zzlite fits perfectly in your hand the light seems to be more pronounced.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ken, could you tell me the
size-(oz.) of that Carn. creamer bottle,-the only one I saw at Ralph's was about 10-11" tall!

 

[KenBar]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by telephony:
Is it water resistant in this configuration, just in case your little girl drops it in the toilet? Kids do the darndest things, you know.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

-------------------------

LOL SO far I am the only one that has dropped things in the john.

Yes it is very water resistant...I also put one in a spill proof sipper by Sip.N.Snap. It worked best as far as sealed. The guts fit perfectly inside the lid.


-----
Vcal and RonM check your mail.

 

[vcal]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wolfman:

Yes it is very water resistant...I also put one in a spill proof sipper by Sip.N.Snap. It worked best as far as sealed. The guts fit perfectly inside the lid.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ken, I just found an 8oz. "Sippin Saver" (by Rubbermaid) -2+1/4"dia. at the top, and 2+5/8"dia. at the bottom -with a folding rectangular plastic "straw' as part of the screw-on lid. -wonder if it's similar to your Sip'N'Snap

-wonder who the mfr. is...

The reason I mention this is that the container is clear, but has a textured surface, and is wonderfully translucent.
Somebody might want to try this one also, because of it's xlnt diffusion/transmission characteristics.
I tried it on the Sauce, and it works great.-No diminishment of light! (The ZZ oughta b here any day now).....
p.s.-thanks for emailing me those pix

 

[KenBar]

I will get webb site for Sip.N.Snap and post it later. They are sold at Wallmart. Stocks go fairly fast when they come in. They are the ones that have a spout that folds over with a "snap". It is a fairly common thread so most of anything in the kitchen fits for a top. I also put a "top" on it with some aquarium selant. It gives a more finished look and it allows any cable tie holder to stick more firmly. The SipNSnap is a very nice size ( hand size ) cheap, a little firmer to the touch, clear, but picks up a little tint of the lights.


For the guts, since it is clear, I found in a ranch supply store a device for 2 bucks that you stick pills down cattle throats. I mounted a clear cat eye marble to the top of it after I had cut it to the appropriate length. It gave a very finished look that would be appropriate for a "Star Trek" Ion engine module. I had slipped 4 aquarium tubing lengths ( about 1/2 inch ) VERY CAREFULLY over the led's and put the led's inside the pill pusher. This made a lot of light. It was very bright in the normal daylight and easily seen in translucent SipNSnap cup.

I need to buy another module as I keep changing faces on the Zzlite like Swatch watches. It is so tempting as the guts really fit in just about anything....depending on the effect you want.

Right now I have still settled on the Carnation container. It is small, it approximates the original unit..just smaller. I really like it as it tends to "mix" the colors and get the great hues.

A tip for anyone screwing around like this....position the led wires carefully apart from each other if they aren't already. Flow some 5 min epoxy over and around the wires. It gives more strength and it also keeps them from potentially shorting out as you do things. This is not necessary if you use it as it was intended. It gives a little more strenght as you experiment. I also flowed some epoxy over the mercury switch to keep it from catching on things.

Tip...put a small spit ball of klenex in the holes in the top of the battery compartment. It will keep the epoxy from leaking in till it sets up. If you forget, it comes off fairly easily once it semi-sets up. A small pair of needle nose will do the job.

 

[RonM]

Got the pics. Thanks Wolfman (Ken). Looks like a nice size for the light. Thanks again.

 

[KenBar]

Here is the web site for the Sip.N.Snap cup.

This is the one if you want to make it translucent.

This is quite substantial heavy polyethylene type material.

The label easily peels off leaving a nice durable container.

It fits on the lid that came with the Zzlite...

It also fits many standard lids that may be around the kitchen.

Cost is about 1 buck at Wal-Mart in the toddler section and in the summer in the regular cup section.

<A HREF="http://www.inzoneusa.com/infant.htm" TARGET=_blank>Sip.N.Snap cup...Home page
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