How to make a small DIY LED Projector

How to make a small DIY LED Projector
I been working on this for about some time. I like to do thins that are not to expensive but does the job of something a lot more expensive. I think in this web page you can find lots of people doing the same, and that is REALLY helpful for all of us.

See more cool projects in my blog

 Now you can find everywhere led projectors, some of them are really good, but also so expensive. You can buy a led projector here in Uk for about 100 pounds, but there are not to good, they need to be in a dark room and the size of the screen they project is about 21" witch is not really impressive.

So I thought i could try to make something similar, and if possible a bit better, and obviously a lot cheaper.

Here is the result, using 80 led of 13000mcd. I'm still not to happy about the result, because the light is not even, thats is because the angle of the LEDs do not allow them to be so close to the screen, so i decide to buy one of the new high power led and use it with a condenser lens.

I don't think i have pictures of the whole project but I'll try to gather as much inf and pictures i can to add it here.

Please keep in mind me english sucks and this is my first instructable.

In this video you can see the projector working, but in real life you can see the screen a lot brighter.

                      YO CAN SEE MY NEW PROJECTOR HERE



In this other video you can see the LEDs i'm using at the moment. (80pc 5mm led, 13000mcd) but soon i'll receive the 20w 1000lm high power led from hong kong. I'll post some videos as soon as i get it an try it.



And in this las video you can see briefly the led projector again, I'll try to make better videos and post them.


Thank you for reading and watching, I'll post the making of this projector step by step couse i'm a bit busy
 
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Step 1All that you need.

Ok, we just see it working, lets see if i can tell you step by step how i done it.

This is all what you need:

-MP4 player with a screen of about 2" (the better the quality of the screen the better the projection will be) Try to get it with AV in, mine does. The price of this may vary depending on the quality. about $60

-Project box. (or any other box you will lite to use, i like this project box because they are strong and they have slots to hold things in place) $5

-An old slide projector lens. $1

-Small fan, i used a 50mm fan (Maybe you don't need the fan, depending on how hot the circuit with the LEDs gets, i put mine because the resistors that came with the leds are not very good and they get hot.)--- i took this from an old pc processor cooler.

-Small switch.--- I took mine from an old PSU (power supply unit) easy to find.

-Power connector.---Just take it from any electronic device that you don't use, or buy one that is gonna cost about $1

-Some cables.---Any cables, you could use cables from the same old PSU

-Fresnel lens (magnified lens)--$1

-LEDs, this one has 80pc, 13000 mcd 5mm--$20

Not a bad projector for under $100 , I spend a little less because i had the MP4 player hanging around.

Now the tools you'll use:

-Soldering gun.

-Dremel rotary tool. (with cutting disk, and sanding bit)

-Some screws to hold the fan in place.

-Hot glue gun.

And that its all what you need to start this project.

NEXT STEP SOON
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453 comments
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Feb 6, 2012. 1:39 AMcurious youth says:
hi i know you have mad a new projector. but for this one if you installed a couple of IR led's next to the camera you would have "night vision" and be able to see in the dark with it. the IR's arent detectable to the human eye either. but im sure you already knew that ;)
Jan 12, 2012. 8:18 PMmspearin says:
Could you use an iPod touch???? Has any one tried??
May 2, 2011. 7:21 AMMostBrainy says:
hey newtonn2 i hav got everything needed but i hav searched everywhere i cannot find a 10w or 20w i got a 3 watt led but because of wrong voltage input it is now not working now so i hav only a 1 watt led .....is it enough.........and one more thing i cannot convince my dad to by another 3 watt so say anything except that.............................waitin for ur reply soon
Oct 24, 2011. 9:58 PMqwerty156 says:
You can use a cheapy halogen light
Jul 8, 2011. 3:15 AMatselikas says:
search on www.ebay.com high power led
May 14, 2011. 5:54 PMsteve000 says:
dealextreme mate... check there
Jan 2, 2012. 9:46 AMvov35 says:
Have you tried using capacitors rather than rechargable batteries? they're basically meant for this application...
Dec 12, 2011. 4:09 AMdilu says:
dear newtonn pls suggest how can i use lenses, Fresnal Lens (which you mentioned ) and Condensor Lens which one i have..... pls give an idea about lenses.
Oct 16, 2011. 6:58 PMTACOx3 says:
Is it possible to use the lens from an old telescope?
Oct 3, 2011. 2:23 AMomgitschrislol says:
I know i don't do it all the way right, but i didn't use a LED driver because the 12V power suply i used is a 1,25A and the LED works between 1,4A and 1,8A


this confuses me a little. you say the power supply is 1.25 amp so for my example we will round up to 1.30 and the led works between 1.40 and 1.80 amps. with these numbers the psu isnt putting out enought amps to power the led. how is it possible that the psu is powering the led without the correct amperage? OR am i getting something horribly wrong.
Oct 25, 2009. 4:07 PMsomeoldguy says:
Will an old gameboy screen work for this project
Aug 22, 2011. 3:38 AMcliffyd says:
no you need an lcd screen that is capable of playing movies ex; digital cameras, cell phone screens, you get it.
Oct 25, 2009. 4:18 PMsomeoldguy says:
my old mp4 player broke is there any other way to do this without the mp4 player

Jun 13, 2011. 8:34 AMatselikas says:
how a mp4 lcd can connect to a computer or dvd player
Nov 5, 2009. 7:37 PMsomeoldguy says:
ok thx

Jul 2, 2011. 3:26 PMatselikas says:
can you give a link to buy triplet lens
Jun 18, 2011. 7:54 AMatselikas says:
Can i use a 20W halogen with out condenser lens,only fresnel lens
Jun 10, 2011. 2:44 AMkatareprat says:
Awesome ! It inspired me to make my own one too :)
I'm currently looking for a fresnel lens. Can you please tell me if this one could do :
http://cgi.ebay.in/Fresnel-Lens-Replacement-Part-4-Nikon-SB-600-glass-new-/140560494012?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item20ba0eedbc

there's also a bigger one :
http://cgi.ebay.in/BIG-TV-100-INCH-DIY-PROJECTOR-TELEVISION-FRESNEL-LENS-/110687737615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item19c580d70f

I'm asking as my LCD size is different from BOTH of these..so I've no idea if these lenses will or will not do

Thanks for the wonderful 'ible !!:)
May 31, 2011. 12:46 AMdelaneypratt says:
How much did this cost you to make??
Mar 18, 2011. 11:20 AMkd4uwk says:
Thanks I see this and would like to make one
Mar 17, 2011. 11:59 AMElvenChild says:
what are the dimensions of your project box
Dec 22, 2010. 2:29 AM10fellowsd says:
you can get loads of condenser lenses at ebay
Jan 17, 2011. 11:50 PMsupreme-ette says:
could i get those from a disassembling a flashlight?
Jan 23, 2011. 11:07 AM10fellowsd says:
no, flash lights dont have condenser lenses in them
Mar 14, 2011. 5:24 AMsupreme-ette says:
where do i get them?
Jul 15, 2010. 1:49 PMexilaus says:
finaly i finish my 1,8"
all photo are there (i need update with projector at work) 
http://picasaweb.google.com/exilaus/Projector?feat=directlink

- wood
- 12v input
- 2 ssc p4
- 2 for 30grad optics low cost from dealxtreme(pack of 10 2,xx $)
- frensel credit card
- lcd 1,8 http://sharonind.com/LCD/LCD018/LCD018.htm
- a part of optics from slide projector
- alluminim 5x5x2 (take from big heatskin)
- lm317 with resistor

in arrive from china : battery pack for cctv 12v 4800ma 230gram for convert it in travel projector
Mar 10, 2011. 11:18 PMamuhammad says:
hello exilaus .
i have several question for you .
why we need lm317 ?
can i use lamp instead of LEDs?
can i use convex lens instead of frensel ?

thank you
Mar 11, 2011. 12:56 AMexilaus says:
lm317 and resistor for pilot led ... if you use 12v led bulb lamp not need lm317.
use frensel for remove some spot effect from leds.

convex need try but frensel are to small.


Mar 13, 2011. 2:01 PMamuhammad says:
thanks for your respond exilaus , by the way you made a great work
Jul 30, 2010. 7:08 PMDaniel Deacon says:
hey, where did you get frensel credit card lm317 with resistor, 2 ssc p4 thanks
Jul 16, 2010. 2:06 PMexilaus says:
update picasa site with projector at work final cost of my projector 30/40 euro
Apr 12, 2011. 8:07 AMthekkenberg says:
this is kind of awesome
Jul 16, 2010. 3:25 PMexilaus says:
unique mode for take screen too much smaller are reduce space from wall and projector , lens move but only for focus, in a photo i stay at 4 meter is so too much big i know..and only in black room see it. optimal distance are 1.5 - 2,5 m at wall result are big and much brillant tomorrow take other photo now i going to sleep :) thx again for your guide and sorry if i finish late :) size is near your only :) problem are lcd it are 3band color one near other but it nice and portable. i need only tested for long time time for see temperatures...but i want finish it totaly before my wife and son return at home and test it for last. when arrive 12v battery pack i take a photo with it...teoricaly it for 4,30h! link for see battery is it http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/303388633-Super-Rechargeable-Li-ion-Battery-MB6-DC-12V-4800mAh-wholesalers.html thx again
Mar 9, 2011. 4:15 PMFoaly7 says:
Exactly how much does this cost?
Mar 9, 2011. 10:04 AMvborade says:
hi there newton2. i am making DIY led projector from 100 led's.
my issue is i m unable to find fresnel lens,i don't know what is condenser lens and how does it work.you used old slide projector lens,is it ok if i use a manifyimg glass.will my china mobile's lcd work for this.plz reply........m waiting for ur guidance. thanx
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Author:newtonn2(http://www.newtonn2.com/)