No, it shouldn't make any difference. Interesting project though.

Any ideas to reduce the amount of contact required to complete the circiut.

Any ideas to reduce the amount of contact required to complete the circiut.

I am going to try and reduce the diameter of the copper wire that surrounds the swinging ball.

Seems the problem is in the resistance in the connection. Use a very clean, very smooth ball and wire. Also consider noncorrodable wire - stainless steel? Precious metals would be expensive. Silver wire is less than gold but it tarnishes.

Or, use something with larger surface area to make contact with, so more current can flow. A piece of copper foil instead of a wire.

Thanks for the metal change idea. I have what I was told is platinum wire from a genetic code sequencer. I hope I can find it.