How to isolate a circuit from water

Other Hardware General Electronics
21

I am sure that you already tried -- just put a clear surgical glove over the hand? If the intent is to be invisible, water-proofing the components (as discussed above) and then using theatrical makeup to hide anything, is an option. The surface mount LEDs would only be 3 tiny dots.

22

Yep, I tried surgical gloves :slight_smile:
In theory they are a good solution, but the problem is that they are extremely fragile: they often tear when touch something different from hand skin. This is because they are really tight and thin. I cannot use large size gloves, as the performer needs a great sensitivity.

23

Hi,

I cannot use large size gloves, as the performer needs a great sensitivity.

Yes it would spoil the illusion if the performance was done in bright yellow dishwashing gloves.

Tom... :slight_smile:

24

Hi,
If it is possible to waterproof the LEDs, why cant the controller be mounted on a waist band with wires up the arms, and some switches mounted say on the sides of boots or shoes.

The you just do a Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ, and click you heels or toes together.

@Grumpy_Mike, this sparked the idea.

Try and remove the switches from the hand and have some other way of control like an under arm switch, or magnets and reed switches.

Thanks Mike. :o

Tom... :slight_smile:

25

I think is may be possible to do all your hand sensors and LEDs using optical fibers. The LED lights will certainly show light at the end of fibers. The switch could be two adjacent fibers. Light in one and the adjacent fiber connected to a light sensor. A finger or other object would reflect the light into the second fiber.

Paul

26

In general I need to keep the wires from PCB to LED and switches as short as possible. This is because long wires (for example wires going from hand to waist) will probably interfere with performer's movements (performers are going to panic in these cases :slight_smile: ). This is why I think that, for the performer comfort, the best assembly of PCB is on wrist. As I said, the performer always wears a wristband preventing soapy water from running along the arm; I could exploit this sweatband for PCB: it will be wet, but it will not dipped in water.