LED / touch-switch question(s)...

[justDIY]

doh, i just re-read your post

there's no efficient way to run 3 leds, but how about 4?

this sch is the same as above, but with 2 parallel strings of LEDs

I included some more resistors, because without the two strings will try to hog current from each other, and one would appear brighter... the 1 ohm resistor should help balance it out a little

[SurJector]

You can put one or more batteries in the line between D1 and R2 (on the drawing of your circuit) and drive three LEDs in series.

[justDIY]

haha goes to show - there is always an easier way!

how about this idea too: (assuming the qtouch switch can work with only 3 volts)

[SurJector]

Voltage supply for the Q-Touch is shown as 2.45-5.25 on Digi-Key. Your setup does not leave a lot room for battery discharge. I'd put two batteries for the Q-Touch chip and one or two additional for the LEDs. The button-cells won't like a 10mA+ load I think so that they will discharge really fast at the begninning. The high discharge rate will stop when the batteries don't push enough tension so that current has naturally lowered. You'll have a good autonomy though, because the LEDs are incredibly efficient at low current. If it were for my personal use, I'd not put anything between the 2 batteries and Vcc of the Q-Touch and just light it a couple of times to dicharge the batteries enough.

[helipirate]

what do you use for the electrode? im making the same thing for the most part but im trying to make the smallest circut i can but the light wont turn on i dont know what to use

[Rob]

Welcome to the boards, helipirate.

I have successfuly used a 1-inch aluminum square (salvaged hard drive lid as I remember), a chunk of aluminum rod that I drilled and tapped threads to accept a screw, and aluminum foil stuck to the back of acrylic sheet with spray adhesive. On that last one, I had a few inches of stripped wire between the foil and the plastic.

If you tell us a little more about your setup, we can possibly be more specific in helping you troublershoot. A separate thread for that would be great.