LED throwie

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LED throwies

A LED throwie is a small LED attached to a coin battery and magnet (usually with conductive epoxy or electrical tape), used for the purpose of creating non-destructive graffiti and light displays. They were devised by the Graffiti Research Lab as a new kind of graffiti art to be used on ferromagnetic surfaces. Part of GRL's original campaign involved distributing throwies to a group of people, who were then encouraged to throw them onto a metal sculpture, called Alamo, located at Astor Place on the isle of Manhattan in New York City.

The low cost of materials and the ease with which throwies can be constructed have led to concern over their potential environmental impact. Namely, that the spent Throwies would not later be collected and eventually the lithium batteries would leak. While the devices are single use, they can be collected later so that the LEDs and magnets can be reused and the batteries can be disposed of properly. Also, IEC LR series batteries can be used instead which pose no environmental risks (other than litter).

1 Making an LED throwie
2 Modifications
3 See also
4 Materials links
5 External links

[edit] Making an LED throwie

Here are the steps to making a BASIC Throwie:

Step 1: Materials

1 LED
1 Battery (CR2032 Lithium Coin battery recommended)
Some Electrical Tape
Magnet

Step 2: Attatching the LED

Take the anode (longer wire on LED) and pinch it to the positive (+) terminal of the button, making sure it is not touching the negative terminal. Then, take the cathode (shorter wire on the LED), and pinch it to the negative (−) terminal, making sure it is not touching the positive (+) terminal or the anode.
The LED should be lighting up now.
Take the electrical tape and wrap it tightly around the battery and the leads (wires coming out of the LED). When you finish this, the LED should be lit and should not be blinking.

Step 3: Attatching the Magnet

Take the magnet and pinch it against the positive (+) terminal of the battery.
Take the electrical tape and wrap it around the magnet and the rest of the throwie.

Step 4: Using the Throwie

Lightly toss the Throwie onto a magnetic surface. Make sure you can reach it if this is your first test, so you can take it back down.
Experiment with the Throwie to see what the best power and angle is to throw the Throwie with.
Make more so you and your friends can have a throwie party.
Have fun! Congratulations, you have just made your first LED Throwie(s)!

[edit] Modifications

The following are some of the modifications that have been applied to throwies:

Clay, or another sticky, putty-like substance has been added to create a "stick-anywhere" Throwie.
Throwies have been made with Velcro instead of, or in combination with, a magnet.
Adding an on/off switch or a pull tab can prolong battery life.
Flashing LEDs, effectively blinkies, can also improve battery life.
More than one LED can be arranged around the battery.
To achieve better light distribution, some have ground the top off of the LED so that the light is more diffuse.
Photoresistors have been used to limit or turn off the circuit in the throwie when light is shone on them, this can save battery power dramatically.
Chirpies are another variation on the theme, incorporating a piezo buzzer and an alternating circuit, although this device is more controversial.
Dead Rat Throwie. A new twist on throwies. This website tells how to skin and stuff a dead rat with electronics, an LED throwie rat. (Warning, kind of bloody)