How to Make a Soft Battery Holder (Power Board)

Learn how to make a soft battery holder with a soft, fabric pouch for holding a 3V battery. Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials, taking into account their properties.  A .dxf file is available in order to laser cut the felt if doing a large quantity.

Learn how to:

• Make a soft component that can function as a battery holder within an e-textiles system.

Level of difficulty:

• Intermediate - you will need some previous knowledge of e-textiles as well as some basic textiles knowledge

Materials & components you will need:

• 2 pockets of non-conductive fabric (felt).
• 2 strips of conductive fabric.
• 2 strips of Vilene Bondaweb.
• Conductive Thread.
• Non-Conductive Thread.
• 3V Coin Cell.

You will also need the following equipment:

• Large eye needle.
• Sewing machine (lock-stitch).
• Optional laser cutter files (.dxf) (below).

 

Stage 1

Cut out 2 fabric pockets.

Stage 2

Attach conductive fabric to each pocket using Vilene Bondaweb.

Stage 3

Hand stitch, using conductive thread, a connection between the conductive fabric and the inside of the pocket fabric. Make sure the conductive thread is attached to one of the conductive fabric strips for conductivity.

Stage 4

Machine stitch the two pockets together using non-conductive thread making sure there is enough space inside for the 3V Coin Cell battery.

Download the laser cuter files here (.dxf).

This project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund and produced by Nottingham Trent University's Secondary Design and Technology Education Department.

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