NES Zapper LED Mod

How to modify a reproduction NES zapper with LED diodes. Great prop for a costume. A similar approach could be applied to other toy pistols.

Safety Gear:

respirator

safety glasses

Tools:

small pillilps screwdriver

soldering iron

wire cutter/strippers

small flat file

lighter

Materials:

NES Zapper

solder

scrap wire

momentary switch

x3 blue 3-3.2V LEDs

heat shrink/electrical tape

21/23 12V battery

21/23 battery harness

3D Print File for LED backet

Start by removing the small screws and place them in a safe spot. Pry the halves apart, set aside the outer cover as well as the pistol's left side. Remove the clear lens and don't lose it. Cut the wires attached the to reverse momentary switch. Gut the wiring, LED/chipboard, and the cord. Use wire cutters to release the switch from the plastic pegs. Snip the leads off the switch and pull out the small plastic innards until all you have left is a single piece the resembles the letter L.

Use the small flat file to shave down the orange pegs. Slide the new momentary switch on the right peg. You want it to be snug. Next, place the plastic L piece on the left peg. Once aligned, the trigger should engage the L into the switch. If you have access to a 3D printer, download the provided file and print a bracket for the LEDs. Following the circuit diagram (*you will be using a different switch and battery than shown*). Twist the three LEDs together once in the bracket or wrapped together with electrical tape. Solder the battery harness to the switch, then tie in the LED cluster. You may need more length on the battery harness to reach the LEDs, there is plenty of extra wire scrap from gutting the pistol. Place all of the wiring with the half of the pistol. You may want to pad the battery harness to it doesn't slide around inside.

Using Rust-oleum 2X satin stone gray spray paint, coat the two halves of the outer shell. Make sure the weather is warm with little to no humidity when painting. For better results, break the session three coats, with 5-10 minutes between coats. This paint is designed to bond with plastic but you may want to give it a clear coat for better resilience to chipping.

Making sure to keep the wire within the housing of the pistol, place the two halves back together. Then the outer shell halves. Pull the trigger to test the wiring, if everything is still working, secure the halves with screws.