Introduction: Chocolate Box LED Panel (no Soldering, No 3D Printing)

About: I am mechanical engineer and I work on robotic mechanical design. I am running my startup and sometime working on my design hobby.

In this tutorial I will show you how to make LED panel from empty candy box. The key features of this design are:

  • It's simple. You won't need to do any soldering or 3D printing
  • It's versatile. With the transparent lit, you can add any diffuser to get the light effect you want
  • It's convenient. The LED panel is packed in a box super easy for storage or portable.

Step 1: Getting Materials and Tools

The materials you need:

Tools you need:

  • Drill
  • Hot glue gun
  • Small rotary tools for smoothing the cut but sand paper works too.

Step 2: Sticking LED Strip to the Box

We can start with sticking the LED strip to the box. In stead of cutting and soldering the LED strip, we will fold it two times 45 degree to change the direction. Sometimes you will have to fold right at the connection node. Don't press too much or you will damage the LED cell. You can keep it a little upright.

After attach all the strip to the box, you can quickly test if the panel is working.

  • Connect the LED strip +- to the Motor +- on the dimmer
  • Connect the Power connector +- to the Power +- on the dimmer
  • Connect power supply to the power connector.

If everything is ok, move on the next step to attach the dimmer and the power connector to the box

Step 3: Make Space for Dimmer

Find a good position for the dimmer that easy for you to control the panel. I put the dimmer at the corner that closed to the LED strip ending. Mark the size and cut a hole for the dimmer knob. If your knob stays between the base and the lit likes mine, cut a gap on the lit too.

Step 4: Attaching the Power Connector

Do the same with the power connector. Drill a hole that can fit the female connector (~10mm)

Step 5: Fix the Connector and the LED Strip to the Box

Use hot glue to fix the power connector and the LED strip's ending to the box. You can also add some glue on the LED strip (at the cutting pad)

Step 6: Wiring the LED Strip, Dimmer and Power Connector

  • Connect the LED strip +- to the Motor +- on the dimmer
  • Connect the Power connector +- to the Power +- on the dimmer

Tighten the dimmer knob to the box. Put the lit turn on the power. Enjoy.

Happy making :)

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