Liberator V3; Project Apex

[Master Bluespike74]

Time to do another video tutorial series.  This time I am using the Ultrasaber's Liberator version 3.  There will be multiple parts to this video as I am working on this as I have time and funds.  Only part 1 will be posted on Saberforum in order to comply with forum rules as parts and accessories may or may not come from competitors of US.  I have great respect for the work done at Ultrasabers so I am being conservative in not risking violation of the rules of the forum to which I agreed.  Part 1 of the series involves Ultrasabers exclusively so I feel confident in posting that here.  Be sure to check out my YouTube channel for the rest of the series or for the Ultrasabers Overlord Stunt to Sound Project videos.  Subscription is always welcomed. 


Below is a synopsis of what to expect from this video series.

1.  How to safely disassemble a grab bag or stunt saber.
2.  Changing a single diode LED to a 4 diode RGB LED.
3.  Installing a different blade retention screw.
4.  Installing a covertech knob.
5.  Upgrading from a guarded to anti-vandal illuminated switch.
6.  Installing a sound board.
7.  Installing a recharge port with kill key.
8.  Upgrading from standard setup to Li-Ion setup.
9.  Proper resistoring of LED's
10. Speaker installation.
11. Upgrading your pommel to account for sound
12. Easy ways to mute your saber for sound sensitive situations.

Items that I am still up in the air about are:

1.  Adding a D-ring for dual costuming purposes.
2.  Adding a control box
3.  Adding additional switches for RGB control.
4.  Using Quick Disconnects
5.  Changing the blade type from HG to UE.
6.  How I'll be resistoring the LED's: whether standard resistor or Constant Current Drivers like Buck Pucks

This will be done on a budget so it will not be near as fast to completion as the Overlord Project was.

Thanks and give it time to upload.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp1mW-9Hd0w" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp1mW-9Hd0w</a>

[Racona Nova]

Nice vid. Could you post a link to your YT channel, too? I would be very interested in parts "5.  Upgrading from a guarded to anti-vandal illuminated switch." and "9.  Proper resistoring of LED's", especially AV switch LEDs. I'm still a bit unsure how to begin modding my Aeons with my AV switches

[Master Bluespike74]

http://www.youtube.com/user/bluespike1974

Here you go.

[Racona Nova]

Thanks, that will help me a lot ^^

[Master Bluespike74]

Next vid has been posted.  I go through planning phases.  Here is the direct link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8kii7t-X0

Since I do mention products not sold by US, I am not going imbedding this video out of respect for the forum rules.   I have seen a good deal of comments lately about people wanting to build their own sabers, upgrade to Li-Ion, and add sound.  By going to the actual video, you'll see in the description area that I posted some information to consider when doing such a project.

Hope that you guys enjoy this video and that it continues to help people get more comfortable with exploring your options and doing things yourself. 

Have a great day and happy sabering.

Blue

[Racona Nova]

Watched your AV tutorial on YT today. Very helpful, and very good explanation of the whole process.
Only question now: have you resistored them and if so, where would you recommend putting the resistor?

Point for your video series, btw

[Master Bluespike74]

Watched your AV tutorial on YT today. Very helpful, and very good explanation of the whole process.
Only question now: have you resistored them and if so, where would you recommend putting the resistor?

Point for your video series, btw

Ok.  You can go 1 of 3 ways on this.  #1, you have resistor them to 20mA.  This is a website that I use when dealing with the standard resistors:  http://ledcalc.com/#calc  #2.  Use a DynaOhm.  This is like the buck puck but it runs constantly at 20mA.  You can find these plenty of places online.  #3.  I am using a different type of sound board this time.  This soundboard allows me to run up to 8 accent LED's.  These solder points are already resistored to 20 mA and are perfect for using with illuminated AV switches.  It helped tremendously with this very tight space build.

Blue

[Racona Nova]

I already thought of the DynaOhm resistors...they seem to fit best into the Aeon hilt itself and are quite easy to install.
Thanks for your advice

[Master Bluespike74]

Got the final delivery of parts.  I will be resuming this project really soon.  I'll be glad when I am finished with this one as it has taken much more of my time that I thought it would.  Changing schedules at work has not been really conducive to getting hobby work done.