V2 SKÅDIS Hidden battery dispenser / pen container / magnet board / vase. (More containers, files organised, and full description)

Description

V2 updated with more containers, working video links, files sorted correctly, corrections to the description, and assembly instructions. 

I wanted a battery dispenser for the rechargeable batteries I'm always putting in my kid's toys. My wife thought it didn't look nice enough to have on our home office wall. So I made some hidden versions inside pen containers and vases, and I added free moving magnetic inserts on the front.

What to Print

• Choose a battery dispenser with the size (AA vs AAA), and number (8 vs 12) of batteries you want and open the corresponding folder.

  • Print the Left_side, Right_side, Release_ Latch, and battery lid.

• Choose one of the containers in that folder (Square/Round/Vase) and print the container plus the corresponding magnet lid, and magnet spacers labeled round, square, or vase in the file notes.

• If you choose the vase assembly print all parts labeled vase.  

The battery dispenser comes in 4 versions

• 8xAA

• 12xAA

• 8xAAA

• 12xAAA (not tested yet)

Containers and vases

The containers are interchangeable for the same size battery mount. So any 8xAA container or vase can be swapped out with any other 8xAA version, but not with a 12xAA or any AAA version.

• 8xAA

  • 8xAA Square

  • 8xAA Round

• 12xAA

  • 12xAA Square

  • 12xAA Round

  • 12xAA Vase                               (print in Vase mode)

  • 12xAA Vase mode adapter      (to attach the vase onto the battery dispenser.)

  • 12xAA Vase water container   (print in Vase mode) Not needed for Lego flowers.

• 8xAAA

  • 8xAAA Square

  • 8xAAA Round

• 12xAAA

  • 12xAAA Square (not tested yet)

  • 12xAAA Round  (not tested yet)

The neck of the vase was a little bit too small so I will make another version as soon as I can.

I will try to upload the necessary files and instructions to make it easier for others to create their own container and vase designs.

Printing

All the models I am uploading I have printed and tested with the following setting on my trusty old MK3, that I assembled 6 years ago and haven't maintained or tuned since:

• Orientation

  • Please pay attention to the print orientation, as I have done my best to optimise each part for strength (layer adhesion) in that orientation. Check the 3mf files or the pictures for reference.

• Material:

  • PLA (The flexing resistance of the mechanical parts has not been tested with other filaments.

• Nozzle

  • 0.4mm

• Layer height

  • 0.2mm (QUALITY and SPEED) both worked well.

• Infill

  • 10%

• Supports

  • No supports. I have done my best to design all parts to print without supports. I have added small breakaway tabs on the left and right side of the battery dispensers, and on the battery lids. These break away by hand.

• Brims

  • PrusaSlicer gives me low bed adhesion warnings for a few parts (especially the release latches), but I have printed everything multiple times with no supports or brim and haven't had any problems. If your printer struggles with bed adhesion consider adding a brim to those parts. 

• Vase mode

  • Print the Vase, and its water container in vase mode with external perimeters set to 0.7mm.

Hardware

The only non-printable hardware is the magnets ( optional ). I designed the magnet spacers for 3x10mm round magnets but any magnet 3mm thick or thinner will fit into the slots (except the vase where I miscalculated and could only fit smaller 2x8mm magnets). I will try to improve that on future iterations. The magnet spacers are to stop the magnets in the slots from sticking to each other, so they can move around independently. I still need to design some flexible ones for the vase. Please let me know if there are other common magnet sizes I should make spacers for.

Assembly

1. Remove the breakaway tabs on the Left_side, Right_side, and Battery_lid. 

2. Put the Release_latch between the hinge nibs on the Left_side and Right_side then place this assembly where you want it on your SKADIS board. The longer side of the latch should now be protruding underneath.

3. Put the Battery_lid onto the Container of your choice by slightly flexing the hinge points apart for the hinge nibs on the Battery_lid to slot in. Then slide this assembly down onto the first one you put on the SKADIS board.

4. Push your magnets into the Magnet_spacer. Then drop them into the slot on the Container. Don't worry if you are using smaller magnets that aren't snug in the spacers. Once in the slot the magnets wont be able to slide out.

5. Press the Magnet_lid into the magnet slot to close it.

For the vase

1. put the Battery_lid on the Vase_adapter.

2. If you used a brim, thoroughly clean up any leftovers on the bottom of the vase.

3. Push the water container into the vase by gently flexing it open.

4. Then slide the Vase onto the Vase_Adapter . This assembly is now the Container and can be slotted onto the battery dispenser assembly.

Notes on use

Dropping the first one or two batteries in without them falling sideways takes a bit of practise at first. You can hold your hand underneath to help them land straight. If one gets stuck you can slide the Container up to dislodge it. The more batteries there are in the dispenser, the easier it is for them to land flat. I am working on improving this in the next iteration.

Future versions

If there is popular demand, I can make some versions for other pegboards, or ones that stick or screw onto the wall.

The lights in the vase were an afterthought. I put some fairy lights in the magnet compartment after realising it was too small for the larger magnets. I might experiment with a few illuminated versions.

If anyone thinks a tiny 4 battery dispenser is useful, let me know and I'll try to make one too.

Feedback 

Please share your make and comment to say how it went. Let me know what can be improved, or if you had any printing problems.