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How I Make my LED SMART HOOPS
TUTORIAL—Make a SMART HOOP!!
Learn how to make a LED HOOP using a LED Strip.
This hoop has no battery gap!
Disclaimer: Please be safe when working with electricity & tools. Wear safety goggles & be attentive when working with batteries. I am not responsible for any damage caused to you or your products.
TUBE SIZE: 5/8"OD
(Outside) CONNECTOR SIZE: 3/4"OD
XSmall & Small Push Buttons
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make your own Smart hoop using an LED strip.
Please note: I am using a NON-Waterproof LED strip for this hoop. These strips are much lighter than the Waterproof LED strips, but they are not, of course, waterproof. So I would be cautious about getting this hoop wet.
Connecting the Battery Spring to the Push Button
In the video, you'll notice that I attach the battery spring to the push button with tiny nuts & bolts. This requires that a small hole be drilled in the end of the push button, which is tricky to do. I didn't have much luck drilling the holes myself, so I took my push buttons to a machine shop & they drilled them for me on a huge drill press. This may not be an option for everyone, so I have been trying to come up with an alternative solution. You can try & solder them on, but I didn't have much luck with that & besides, I really hate to solder! You could try epoxy or glue, but I have not tried those, so I can't tell you how well they work. What I have tried is Sugru. If you're not familiar with it, google it. I bought it at Lowes or you can order it online in many different colors. It seems to hold well & hopefully it will last for a long time!
Tools
Pipe Cutter
Hardware Stores, Plumbing Section
Measuring Tape
Fabric or Craft Stores
Safety Goggles
Sharpies
Wire Cutter or Scissors
Ruler
Wire Stripper
Hardware Stores
&/or Self Adjusting Wire Stripper
Hardware Stores
Drill
13/64 for XSmall push button hoop hole
1/4" for Small push button hole
String (Heavy/Strong)
Small Fishing Weight
Walmart
If Needed/Optional:
Tiny Nut Drivers for Tiny Screws & Nuts
MicroMark.com
Supplies
Polypro Tubing (or HDPE) 5/8" OD
Hoopologie
24 gauge Speaker Wire
Home Depot
White or transparent Electrical Tape
FindTape or Hardware Stores
LED Strips-300 LED, RGB 5050 5M NON-Waterproof 12V
Ebay
Mini Controller (UPDATE January 2021)
Ebay (the ones that I had bought are no longer listed. This one looks the same, but I have not tested them.)
Clear Plastic Sleeve
Hillas.com
Clear tape
2 @1/8" Aluminum Rivets
Hardware Stores
2 @XSmall Push Buttons (5/8"OD HOOP)
or Small Push Buttons (3/4"OD HOOP)
Hoopologie
2 @Tiny Screws (0-80,1-72, 2-56)
I used 0-80s in the tutorial, but you may wanna consider the larger sizes listed above, they may be easier to handle. Just make sure that the size you choose will fit through the hole in your battery spring.
MicroMark.com
2 @Tiny Nuts
MicroMark.com
2 @Tiny Washers
You may also need some tiny washers, depending on what screw size you go with.
MicroMark.com
2 @Small Battery Springs
Digikey.com
DipMicro.com
Epoxy or Other Glue for Tiny Screws
Plastic bottle (tennis ball, soda, etc)
OR, Instead of the Tiny Screws & Bolts try:
Sugru
To attach the battery springs to the push buttons
(See notes above)
Battery-3.7V Trustfire (PROTECTED) 10400 (AAA sized)
Battery Junction
AND...Don't forget some GRIP!! (see more info about these at the bottom of this page.)
Both of these offer the ultimate in grip without covering your LED hoop in tape:
Hoop Grip Sticks
Hoop Makers
Grip Tape
Amazon or Hoopologie
Low Profile Grip Tape
Hoopologie
Using 3/4"OD Hoop Tubing with Flush Battery Holder
I haven't made a Smart Hoop from 3/4"OD tubing yet, but if you would like to try it, here's a diagram for it. What is nice about this hoop is that the battery holder is the same size tubing as the hoop tube, so that it is flush. This hoop uses 2@5/8"OD polycarb connectors that are approximately 1-5/8" in length. The connectors are riveted in place, so you'll have to figure out how to do this with the circuit running through them, which shouldn't be too difficult. Maybe one day I will make a tutorial for this hoop, but for now at least, there is this diagram to help start you off! 
GRIP---> Grip Sticks, Sanding & Tape:
I don't tape my hoops any more, I usually use a grip stick which you can get from various hoop makers or try some Sex Wax!
If you want to sand them, use really course sandpaper grade (40, 50 or 60). This also provides a good grip, but eventually may lead to cracking or breakage of your hoop.
Super duper grippy tape by 3M.
It comes in 1" rolls but you can cut it down to 1/2" or 1/4" strips with scissors to line the inside of your hoop. When applying it, make sure you rub it down really well to get any air bubbles out. It's pretty transparent, so it's great on an led hoop, & seems pretty durable. You can order it from Hoopologie or from Amazon.
Hoopologie also sells a fabulous low grip tape.
OLDER INFO, Other Options:
When I used to tape my hoops I sometimes would use a half inch strip of gaffer tape just along the inside. I don’t really like the criss-crossing of tape that I have seen, although If you need the gaffers for extra grip then its probably a good idea.
I have also tried First Aid Clear Tape, spiral-wrapped on a few of my led hoops. It helps for grip and you can’t really see it, so it doesn’t interfere with the lights. But I don’t think its very durable, so if you use it, you may have to re-tape often.
E N J O Y ! ! !