Make a Basic LED Smart HOOP Tutorial!! No Gap, No Solder, No Switches!

Learn how to make a very simple LED SMART HOOP with a LED strip & NO battery gap!!
There are many ways to make a LED hoop, this is just how I make mine. I'm no expert, but I'm an artist who has figured out how to make LED hoops that work for me & I just wanted to share my method.
This hoop uses a remote control---change the color, flash, strobe, fade & smooth.
Made of 5/8"OD polypro or hdpe tubing & uses 2--10440 3.7v (AAA sized) rechargeable batteries.
No wiring of individual LED bulbs, no soldering, no switches!
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.
For all the info that goes along with this tutorial, including a complete tools & supplies list with links, diagrams, photos & more, please visit:
hoop-trix.com/H...
DISCLAIMER: Please be safe when working with electricity & tools. Wear safety goggles & be attentive when working with batteries. Batteries can be dangerous if used incorrectly. I am not responsible for any damage caused to you, your belongings or your hoop products.
Music: www.bensound.co...
Please note that the link at the end of the video to purchase DIY smart hoop kits, no longer works. (they are not mine, they are from another hoop maker.) Sorry about that!

[@wilkie010]

I just wanted to thank you for generously contributing all this info to the Flow DIY community. You're beautiful, you're intelligent, and you're profoundly appreciated. Stay shiny!

[@BethPiver]

what a sweet comment! thank you for that david, one of the nicest ive ever received! makes it all worthwhile & you made my day! much needed love when its been such a week of sadness. hoop love to you!

[@noeliamarziali8672]

The world needs more hoopfull folks like yourself who are so willing to share what you've discovered with the rest of us so that we can try it ourselves. Many many many thanks!! Yours is the most comprehensive tutorial I've come across and the work that's gone into making this is so appreciated.

[@BethPiver]

wow, thank you noelia, for such kind words!! it really warms my heart to know that you found it helpful & that it is appreciated! its for hoopers like you that i do this for!! HOOP LOVE

[@Wheel333]

Hey, great tutorial. I feel confident to try and do this now. Looks so cool no gaps. Thanks for sharing.

[@BethPiver]

Wheel333 thanks! have fun & good luck!

[@kimberlyscaliatine1120]

Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. I'm trying to follow you're instructions as precise as I can except for the light strip. I'd like to pick a light strip that's more exciting. It's now 2020 and I'm searching for a light strip that has a more complex light effect that is built into the design so no separate remote controller is needed (my intention is to sell my hoops). I don't know anything about electronics so if you could point me in the right direction and recommend a specific type and brand to buy that meets my needs, I would be so grateful. Thanks again!

[@BethPiver]

hi kimberly, glad that youre enjoying the tutorial! im really sorry but im afraid im not going to be much help. these are the only strips that i have used & i havent made any led hoops now for a few years, so i dont even know whats out there nowadays. if i come across anything i will let you know. sorry i couldnt help, but if you have any other questions please let me know. & if you do find something & feel like sharing, i would love to know about it! thanks & good luck!

[@HeikeHoops]

Wow Beth! Great work!! Love it! Thank you for sharing!!

[@BethPiver]

Heike Hoops thanks heike! so glad that you enjoyed it!

[@erikavonmuegge]

Thank you, I used solder and my old EL hula hoop that broke. I really enjoyed your tips with the soda bottle use! I've actually used a soda bottle to fix my first broken hoop and I'm glad you had similar thoughts! Thanks for posting

[@BethPiver]

+erika von muegge thanks erika, glad that you enjoyed the video!! happy hoop making!

[@mf-ut5kx]

Thank you for sharing !!

[@BethPiver]

my pleasure!

[@FknNefFy]

Maybe put the remote and wires in the plastic BEFORE FEEDING THRU THE TUBE

[@rwaldburger8125]

hey there! thats awesome! :-) thnx a lot!! i wanted to ask you- is it possible to programm the leds with this hoop?

[@BethPiver]

my pleasure, glad that youve enjoyed it! i dont think its possible to program the leds with this set up, but i am no expert, so maybe it is if you know what youre doing. (the only thing you can do is use the remote to change the colors.) thanks!

[@M.Ladydub]

you'd have to use a fully addressable led strip to do that. making sure it has a circuit board with a usb port so u can connect to a computer to use the software program u want. the strip needs to be insulated or else u will burn up the LED also resistors to make sure the LED is receiving appropriate amount of power or the same thing can happen or you just wont have the lights be as bright. its a whole thing and that's why companies charge so much for the badass customizable smarthoops. Plus it took years for engineers to work out any issues in the design and solve any foreseen potential issues during usage. alas here i am still attemting to do it too. and i dont have a degree in engineering nor do i know shit about computers or programming but by golly am I determined to learn this and make it happen...YOU BET YA!

[@RileyBrooke]

Thank you!!!!!

[@BethPiver]

my pleasure!

[@FknNefFy]

If your push buttons had two buttons you would t need thre connector! Like if the were an X rather than V shape and had a button on both ends

[@FknNefFy]

A straw might work better than the tennis ball plastic

[@elpezmecanico4106]

THank you for the amazing tutorial. Could you please make a tutorial on how to assemble the push buttons ? I have been struggling for an hour now.

[@BethPiver]

thanks paula, glad that you like the tutorial! what part specifically are you having trouble with? maybe i can help.

[@tahmina7222]

Does the mini adapter come with the led strips? Where did you get it?

[@GratefulHoopMama]

thanks for sharing!

[@BethPiver]

my pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@tealerosem]

Thanks for sharing! I wondered if I could get your expert advice on why you don't recommend using a waterproof LED strip for this project. As a beginner who loves LEDs I see added weight to my hoop as a plus. (I also have some of this material from another project). Thanks for your advice. ^_^

[@BethPiver]

im no expert by any means teale, but thanks! yes, purely to keep the hoop as light as possible. but by all means, if youd like more weight, give the waterproof strip a try! waterproof strips may be a little thicker, so you may have to adjust some things as you go. or since youre not concerned with weight, you could even try using 3/4" tubing. good luck!!

[@mackenziejones6232]

Thanks for sharing this! I'm looking into making these for a stage design, is there a way to connect the hoops the hoops so I can control them all using 1 remote?

[@BethPiver]

thanks for watching! im not sure if that will work or not. but i have noticed that sometimes my remotes will work on several led strips, but ive only tried one at a time, not in mass. (& not with hoops, but with led strips around my house) sorry i cant be of more help!

[@CincyPlasmaTech]

Each receiver has to be "tuned" to the remote (transmitter) frequency. That would be done at the factory. If two hoops are not to interfere, then they would include a unique address that matches hoop to the remote. You would select one hoop, and copy the other hoops to that same address or frequency. Now one remote controls all!

[@anna.raviola]

Hi, i can't understand the size of the tubes... is the long tube the skinny size (16 mm external diameter) and the connector regular size (19 mm ext. diameter)? I'm from Italy Thank you so much for the tutorial!!!

[@BethPiver]

hiya! glad that youre enjoying the tutorial! yes, i believe that is correct. the long main hoop tube is 16 mm external diameter & the shorter connector tube is 19 mm external diameter. let me know if you have any other questions & ill try to help! thanks!

[@bemandaable]

Thankyou for putting this tutorial up, been planning on making an led hoop but now I've seen this I'm going to attempt a smart hoop. I've already bought a load of 3/4 inch (OD) polypropylene tubing, is it possible to use this size?

[@BethPiver]

Amanda Thomas yes it is possible, amanda. although you may have to rework some of it, like the connector. if you go with an outside connector of 1"OD tubing, you may have to use larger (AA sized) batteries otherwise the 10440 batteries will probably move around too much & youll lose connection. (maybe pad the inside of the connector piece???) or you could try & use inside polycarb connectors, but thats a different set up too. ive not tried either of these set ups, but somehow im sure it can be done, it just make take some experimenting!

[@xHeartHeartbreakx]

The clicker (on/off button) I can't find on Amazon. Can someone tell me anouther name I should search?

[@BethPiver]

if you go to this page on the HOOP-TRIX.com site, youll find all the links for the supplies. good luck! hoop-trix.com/HoopTricks/HoopTricks/MakeLEDSmartHoops.html

[@arelirubik]

Thank you Beth, awsome video, i just have one question, how do you make to pull the led strip inside the tube, and not twist the led strip ? i have this problem, and tried many times and gets twisted , i dont know why =( would you help me ?

[@BethPiver]

hmmmm, the only thing i can think to suggest is to just pull it really really slowly & keep an eye on it. & also maybe try to get someone to help you--they can slowly pull the cord & hold the tubing as you keep the led end from twisting as it goes in the tubing. good luck, i hope you can get it!

[@imho2278]

You are using 7v on a 12v strip...Interesting. Which mini controller are you using? Thanks!

[@BethPiver]

thanks for watching! heres the link for the mini controller. i ordered them a few years ago, so im assuming that they are still the same ones. www.ebay.com/itm/RGB-LED-light-strip-controller-17-key-RF-remote-DC-12-volt-9-V-battery-connector-/251774184832

[@Sgroggo]

@Beth Piver, I really don't understand why a "12V led" run with 2AAA (7,4v, I suppose). Can you explain me?

[@BethPiver]

im not an expert when it comes to electricity, so im sorry, but i really cant tell you why it works. but it has for me. i would suggest asking an electrician or maybe ask in the fb group for making led hoops. sorry to not be of more help!

[@SnifterRoux]

Hi, how would one go about having the led strip displaying different colours like a rainbow?

[@BethPiver]

+SnifterRoux youd probably have to find a LED strip & remote that makes rainbow colors. the one that i use is just a simple strip with pretty basic color schemes. if i come across a rainbow strip, i will let you know. thanks!

[@BethPiver]

hi again, a friend just told me that there are "digital LED strips" or "addressable LED strips" where each LED can have its own color, & they dont have to be all on or all off. youll need a microcontroller & remote to control the LEDs as well. thought i would share the information with you!

[@SnifterRoux]

+Beth Piver Thanks for that much appreciated.

[@leonelmarina]

hello, I love your videos. i love hula hoop, and want to work here in Brazil, producing so when I could sell,? what value !?

[@BethPiver]

marina leonel thank you, so glad that youre enjoying the videos! i dont sell the hoops i make, i just make them for myself & friends. sorry i cant help you with selling them!

[@leonelmarina]

***** tudo bem! brasil nao encontro o push button como substituir por outra coisa?

[@BethPiver]

marina leonel im not sure what else you could substitute for the push buttons. but you may be able to order them from hoopsupplies.com, they might ship to brasil.

[@GurldeTRINI]

I made the hoop! unfortunately it won't stay lit. The first day it stayed in for about 40 seconds and since then it will on light for a split second while I'm pushing the sides in =(

[@BethPiver]

im sorry to hear that jasmine. its tricky sometimes, there are many possible things that could be the problem--any number of connections issues, faulty parts, batteries, etc. sounds like there may be a problem with a connection somewhere. if it were me, id probably take it apart & check everything.

[@destiniemiller3979]

if you dont mind me asking, where would one obtain one of those plastic sleeves? (:

[@BethPiver]

+Destinie Miller you can find all the info & a supply list with links on my site here: hoop-trix.com/HoopTricks/HoopTricks/MakeLEDSmartHoops.html & you can get the plastic sleeve here: www.hillas.com/Categories/Poly-Tubing/LAD-1890-2-MIL-Clear-Poly-Tubing-1-x-1500-ft-1500-Per-Roll.html happy hoop making, destinie!!

[@JodLynn5]

Could you get two 32in hoops from the roll of LED?

[@BethPiver]

my guess is that the roll isnt quite long enough for two 32" hoops. especially for no gap, like xenomorph_xx_121 said. plus, youll probably want some excess strip to use to pull through the tube & then theres having to cut at the copper parts.

[@spiritlivefree]

Do you have to have the plastic sleeve or bubble wrap?

[@BethPiver]

no you dont have to use the sleeve or bubble wrap, but they help protect the strip & cut down on rattle noise while youre hooping. if you dont mind the rattle, then it shouldnt be a problem.

[@brantgoose]

Hey. Your website isn't working. Can you tell me the price of your kit if you still have it?

[@BethPiver]

im sorry brant, thats actually not my website, its a friends & i wasnt aware that its not up any more. ill take the link down. sorry about that!

[@brantgoose]

Awe ok thanks. Maybe if u tell them they fix it.

[@v1basualdo]

Donde se consiguen esas tiras LED?

[@BethPiver]

hi samuel, heres where i got mine, but its been awhile. i would just search on ebay for them. www.ebay.com/itm/200987745643?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[@hannahlowe4369]

How much would you sale one of these hoops for? I would love to have one,

[@BethPiver]

+Hannah Lowe im so sorry, hannah, i dont sell hoops. thanks for asking, though!

[@hannahlowe4369]

Awe well thank you anyways! I absolutely love this! How much would you say all the supplies would be all together?

[@BethPiver]

frankly, i have no idea! i had some of the supplies from awhile ago & a bunch i had in bulk, so its hard to tell. the best thing to do is to go to my website where ive listed the links for the supplies. thanks again & let me know if you have any more questions! heres the page on my site---hoop-trix.com/HoopTricks/HoopTricks/MakeLEDSmartHoops.html

[@ztparadise0476]

Is it rechargeable

[@BethPiver]

yes, i use 2 x 10440 3.7v (AAA sized) rechargeable batteries.

[@jwuethrich8385]

cool project, but really irresponsible to teach the public with out soldering + heat shrink. If you get a short across the battery you get a fire and or explosion. the 14400s older siblingknown as 18650 has a pressure vent(i belive the 14400 does as well) This vent is an engineers attempt to keep the metal casing of the bat from turning into little pieces flying through the air. It does so by opening up with temp to give a controlled release of the toxic and on fire gasses created during failure/short...(toxic gas is a problem by itself) Thing is: The vent is not considered reliable on 18650s and. its worth noting that way more quality control and research and sheer production has gone into the bigger sibling, I wouldnt trust the vent on the little 14400 at all. If you are using electrically protected cells its a bit better but still capable of failure...most mfgs if asked dont want you to test the short circuit protection at home (its not supposed to only work once either) that should tell you something. if anyone reading this isnt sure if their bat is protected or not, please dont use or charge your bats again until you read up on it and know for sure. every laptop mfg, boeing, tesla and samsung all pay millions for their designs and still get battery fires from this type of battery. If you cant pass the 101 level on it you shouldnt be using it. several conditions can cause them to blow up on the charger or during the next current draw/drain/hoop session. it should always be kept in mind that none of these lithium batteries were ever intended for the public. The flash light and vape community eventually created a supply but it wasnt designed to go in devices with non soldered wires and no design consideration for battery failure or safety. Also unless you are geting 14400s from saynos and weighing them + checking exact dementions... its a good chance that you have a battery made in china by a factory that started producing them yesterday and doesnt actually have a competent engineer on staff. chinieese companies like that should be thanked because they made sizes other than the 18659, but if you had a tester and charger that could mesure the charge that goes into them vs what the label claims you will rarely find something to thank them for.. not trying to be a spoil sport/ass but I also dont want to see houses or heaven forbid an apartment complex go up in flames due to a lithium ion solderless mood hoop.

[@BethPiver]

thanks johnathan, i appreciate the information. this is just the way that i make my led hoops & i thought i would share with the community. i am by no means any kind of expert on batteries or electricity, & as far as i know, these are the batteries that are commonly used for led hoops. i have never had any issues with them, & am always very careful & attentive. i have placed a disclaimer in the description with a warning about the batteries, so hopefully anyone who is making led hoops will be careful too. thanks again, for the insight.

[@imho2278]

Yes, far safer to use aaa batts and a 5v strip. You can put 3 aaas together and get 3.6v which will work. Also the hoop needs 2 holes in one end so as you pull the hoop apart to turn it off, the push button clicks into the tube and the batteries don't roll out.