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How to Make a GBA Front Light

The GameBoy Advance, or GBA, is the third GameBoy version from Nintendo. Unlike the other versions of the portable gaming system, the GBA does not include a backlight for easy viewing. Though this design saves on battery usage, the GBA can require a light for playing in dark conditions. A homemade GBA light requires only a few steps, but several different materials. Do not use a battery stronger than 2 to 4 volts, as this will destroy a small LED.

Things You'll Need

Drill
Small plastic hair clip
2 to 4 volt button cell battery
Button cell cradle (optional)
Wire strippers (optional)
Electrical wire
Plastic pen
Knife or wire cutters
Super glue
Small white LED
Electrical tape

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a hole into the handle of the plastic hair clip at a 45 degree angle. Use a drill bit approximately the same size of your pen.
- 2
  Insert the button cell battery into the battery cradle if desired. Strip the ends of the wire if desired.
- 3
  Attach one end of the wire to the positive side of the cell, and another end to the negative side of the cell.
- 4
  Disassemble the pen and use only the hollow tube containing the ink cartridge. Cut the pen casing to the desired length. It will be the cradle for the LED, so choose how far the light should be from your screen, then cut the pen to this length.
- 5
  Insert the pen into the hole drilled in the plastic hair clip. Super glue the edges so the pen stays in place and let it set for several hours.
- 6
  Run the loose wire ends through the underside of the plastic hair clip and up through the hollow pen casing.
- 7
  Trim the wires as needed at the top of the pen casing, but leave enough overhang to wire the LED. Attach one wire to the left LED contact, and the other to the right.
- 8
  Stick a small piece of tape to the top of the pen, leaving the other side free. Stick this side to the LED, keeping it in place to shine on your GBA screen.

Game Boy