MacBook Breathing Light

1. Prepare

Verify component pinouts against each manufacturer’s datasheet before wiring. Label cut wires with their wire numbers; the same numbers follow them through every stage. Wire colors are written out for black-and-white printing. Custom colors can be named in the wire library.

Progress is saved on this browser for this board revision. Changes to the board or measurements start a new checklist. Printed diagrams are references, not life-size templates.

19 wires to prepare; 467mm total wire, including end allowances.

Parts List

10 unique parts

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2. Cut wires

19 wires · +5mm per end for lead-through

Total wire: 467mm (18.4in)

3. Bend wires

Use the straight-line ruler to mark bend points on the wire before bending. Use the bent shape as a visual reference while bending.

Wire 1 — CONT — K10 → J11 — 14mm — Red

Cut 14mm.

Wire 2 — DARL — J15 → K17 — 18mm — Yellow

Cut 18mm. Bend 90° right at 10mm.

Wire 3 — DISCH — C12 → G12 — 20mm — White

Cut 20mm.

Wire 4 — LED_A — K16 → I20 — 25mm — Green

Cut 25mm. Bend 90° left at 15mm.

Wire 5 — RAMP — D18 → E15 — 20mm — Blue

Cut 20mm. Bend 90° right at 13mm.

Wire 6 — RAMP — G15 → H16 — 14mm — Black

Cut 14mm.

Wire 7 — RAMP — F14 → H12 — 17mm — Red

Cut 17mm.

Wire 8 — RAMP — J16 → G8 — 38mm — Yellow

Cut 38mm. Bend 90° left at 25mm.

Wire 9 — 9V — D7 → E11 — 23mm — White

Cut 23mm. Bend 90° right at 15mm.

Wire 10 — 9V — F12 → J9 — 28mm — Green

Cut 28mm. Bend 90° up at 15mm.

Wire 11 — 9V — C6 → G5 — 23mm — Blue

Cut 23mm. Bend 90° up at 15mm.

Wire 12 — 9V — G3 → L3 — 23mm — Black

Cut 23mm.

Wire 13 — 9V — I8 → I18 — 39mm — Red

Cut 39mm. Bend 45° down at 9mm. Bend 90° left at 31mm.

Wire 14 — 9V — H17 → K18 — 20mm — Yellow

Cut 20mm. Bend 90° right at 8mm.

Wire 15 — GND — K26 → K11 — 48mm — White

Cut 48mm.

Wire 16 — GND — M11 → M5 — 25mm — Green

Cut 25mm.

Wire 17 — GND — K5 → H5 — 18mm — Blue

Cut 18mm.

Wire 18 — GND — H3 → F8 — 28mm — Black

Cut 28mm. Bend 90° down at 10mm.

Wire 19 — GND — E9 → E16 — 28mm — Red

Cut 28mm.

4. Place wires

Component side. Select a wire to emphasize its route in its own color and highlight its endpoints. Wires follow number order, matching the bend guide and solder checklist.

5. Solder connections

Bottom view: horizontally mirrored. Coordinate names still identify the same physical holes. Highlights mark wire endpoints; wire routes belong on the component side. Check each connection and the listed solder bridges.

Board is horizontally mirrored. Column A is on the right.