LED under the skin
So, I really do like the Northstar but I'm not sure I'm in a place where I can commit the money and the physical side of things. But, I really want an LED under the skin. Has anyone built one of these? I was thinking it could work something like a pared down version of the bone microphone in this post. It seems like it could fit in a pretty small area and keep enough charge to not have to be recharged more than once a day, and possibly less.
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The tools that are required for this sort of thing aren't exactly bulky or rare. A cheap soldering iron and a desk are really all you need. I have plenty of space right here in my bedroom, and I make stuff like this all the time. However, a decent amount of experience is required.
With something like this, the best approach would just be to make a custom PCB. That would give you full control over the design, the features, and form factor. I would recommend first making one on a breadboard. Testing and iteration is key, very rarely will you be happy with your first attempt. Again, this isn't a project that would be beginner friendly necessarily. If you don't know what that is, then you might want to take a step back.
I would be willing to help you out if you want to talk.
You'll want a super-capacitor because a regular capacitor will power an LED for only a couple seconds. I haven't seen those at the Shack but it's been awhile since I checked.
Red light passes through skin better than other colors.
Where are you planning to put this?
A 5mm LED is huge for an implant and better surface mount options exist. The problem with a standard 5mm through-hole LED is that the bulk is a lens. You don't need the lens.
What kind of battery are you using?
Do you have a charger picked out?
The reason size is so important is that you're adding material to a system, your body, that isn't meant to have anything extra. Have you gotten a piece of sand in your shoe? That grain of sand is tiny but you can feel it easily. Try putting an LED under your skin and the problem is way worse.
If you insist on a green LED try buying a red LED of similar brightness and shine them both through your fingertip and see if enough light comes through. It might.
As soon as you get your parts together I'd love to see a video demonstration.