Today we would like to introduce you to a powerful external speaker made from a simple marker. And this is not a typo, we will really give a second life to a dried out and unnecessary felt-tip pen, which is usually thrown away because it no longer writes!
The miracle of technology will be small, but loud enough, and will provide decent sound to your favorite tunes, videos or movies directly from your smartphone. This gadget is also convenient because it is as easy to use as possible and does not require any additional software. All you need to do is connect it to the headphone jack on your smartphone and activate it using a regular switch button. Now we’ll tell you how to make this device with your own hands.
Necessary elements for a homemade speaker
Most electronic parts for small gadgets like this are now sourced from China. Aliexpress. Our device is also no exception, so the author used the appropriate tool to make it:
- A small soldering iron for soldering small printed circuit boards and parts;
- Precision conical drill;
- Technical drill with abrasive attachments.
The markings were made with another felt-tip pen, still suitable for writing).
It is worth noting that the author used a drill and a precision drill for greater ease of use. However, they can be easily replaced with a regular paint knife and a set of suitable drill bits for a screwdriver or drill. To connect the elements you will need insulated copper wires and solder.
The author installed the components using hot glue, since today not a single worthwhile electronic invention can do without it)).
The following materials will be needed:
- The marker is flat;
- PAM8403 digital amplifier module;
- Speaker for tablets, 1 W;
- 3.5 mm Mono Jack Plug;
- 3.7V Li-ion battery;
- Battery charging plug, 5.5 connector for laptop power supplies;
- Switch button.
Let's start making a miracle speaker for your smartphone
First we need to prepare the main component of our device - the marker. We gut its body from the filling. We cut off the neck with a knife, and drill out the inlet hole with a drill for a 3.5 mm plug. We leave the lid and cap of the marker, we will need them too.
We mark the mounting hole for the switch button with a marker closer to the neck, drill it out with a drill or drill, and trim the edges with a knife. We adjust the speaker in the same way.
The standard speaker housing will create unnecessary volume, so we get rid of it by drilling it out with a drill and cutting it out with a knife.
The plug must have output contacts of sufficient length. We solder them onto the digital amplifier module board as input, and the speaker as output.
Next, we connect the charging socket and a 3.7 V lithium-ion battery, pre-selected by size, with solder.
From the charging socket we connect two power wires through a button to the amplifier board. When disassembled, the diagram looks like this (photo).
The braiding of the 5.5 plug connector is too bulky, so the author chose to remove it by unsoldering the contacts. After this procedure, return the plug to its place.
According to the author's idea, the gadget's charging socket is located in the back cover of the marker. We drill a hole under it and attach the nest with hot glue. We connect it using copper wiring.
Now the device can be assembled by placing all the elements in the marker body. First we mount the distant element - the microphone, then the button with the amplifier. The closing element will be a plug, which should fit tightly into the neck of the marker. We secure it and the marker cover with the charging socket with additional hot glue.
A conventional charger of the following ratings (photo) is suitable for charging. We connect it to charge the speaker battery.
A button on the case will allow you to turn on the device at will, when necessary. When closed, such a compact device is indistinguishable from a regular marker.
Connect the speaker to the headphone jack on your smartphone and enjoy the powerful sound!
