Flash Bare Boards First
Start with only the ESP32 board and a USB data cable. Flash the DIYLaserTag firmware before connecting batteries, IR drivers, vibration motors, sensors, displays, or external power.
Build Tagger-101 like a prototype, not a toy.
Tagger-101 combines a microcontroller, battery power, IR output, buttons, feedback parts, and OLED screen wiring. Treat the finished build as experimental hardware until you have checked every subsystem.
Keep Power Separate From Signals
Use one shared ground, 3.3 V logic where shown, current-limiting resistors, and proper driver circuits. GPIO pins are signal lines, not power sources for IR LEDs, bright LEDs, or motors.
IR And Optical Output
Do not stare into IR emitters or aim high-power IR arrays at eyes, faces, animals, vehicles, or bystanders. Verify emitter current, lensing, duty cycle, and enclosure choices before play.
Batteries And Heat
Use protected batteries, suitable chargers, strain relief, and insulated wiring. Stop immediately if a build smells hot, flickers unexpectedly, resets repeatedly, or behaves unpredictably.
Use Context
- Use bright, clearly non-realistic enclosures and avoid public spaces where a homemade tagger could alarm others.
- Disconnect power before changing wiring, moving jumpers, or swapping display and sensor cables.
- Test trigger, reload, hit receive, IR transmit, piezo, vibration, and OLED screen behavior before enclosing the build.
- Do not use DIYLaserTag materials for schools, venues, public events, or unsupervised minor use without adult supervision, local-rule review, and appropriate safety controls.