LED TUBE LIGHT (AC)

INTRO.
My friend Justin, wanted my help to make a LED Tube Light, so this is the result for all of you to see.
The tube light is a row of LED's which runs on 110 or 220 volts AC, just like your ordinary Fluorescent Tube Light.

Step 1: STEP-1

List of parts required.
100 pieces or more of Very Bright White LED's of 5mm size.
1-or more Non Polarized Capacitor .33uF to .47uF rated 250v to 300 volts for ----110v AC
1-or more Non Polarized Capacitor .22 uF rated 400 volts -for 220 volts for AC
1 or more Resistance of 1k -1 watt for ----110v AC
1 or more Resistance of 1k - 1/2 watt for ----220v AC
2 inches width and 4 feet long PVC concealed wiring rigid batten.
On off Switch, wire, wall plug, solder etc.

Comments

[mohtashim]

can anyone explain this diagram to me?

[mohtashim]

Do you mean 1kilo ohms by 1k

[Dipankar]

Yes.

[jmoore59]

Hey good instructable, been looking for this for a while.
I built the circuit a couple ways and used a .33uf 500v and a .47uf 450 cap, but the LEDs flash then get super dim. If the cap is discharged then they light up for a split second then dim again. Any ideas?

[Dipankar]

Use a .33uf 300v or 250 volts Cap.
NOT 500 Volts.

[Dipankar]

Use only .22uf 400 volts Capacitor to get a good light on 220 volt AC line.

[jmoore59]

I am using 120v, and i found my problem of bad leds(intermittent connection).
If i were to use 3.3vf 350ma rated leds, would i need different caps/resistors?
or is there a formula to calculate these values?
Thanks again. I will see how long these 5mm 3.3 20ma leds last on this setup.
Great job posting this since i have been looking all over for this.

[offtherails2010]

Good day to you Dipankar ji,

okay im having some difficulties deciphering the schematic to real-world components and have been trying to do this on my own for the last 2 weeks, please please please would you be able to email me the details for this project too, my email address is:

[e-mail]

many thanks in advance for the extra help with this as i now have all the parts needed to make 5 sets of 30 LED segments for my magnifier lamp but am stuck on how to wire them up, im only still learning electronics and do make my own PCB's but a computer software takes care of that but with any instructable that i must translate the schematic to solder components i get terribly lost !

Please help whenever you are able to !

;-)

[Dipankar]

Sending the Diagram through E-Mail. Now you follow the Positive and negative of the Led and start soldering.

[offtherails2010]

(removed by author or community request)

[Dipankar]

If you look at the Diagram carefully you will see that there are 15 LED's in each Row and the 2 rows are connected in opposite directions. Each pair of LED's are shorted so that they complete a full circle. Take care to maintain POLARITY.

[offtherails2010]

Once again thank you so much for your continued help & support, i have cut some pieces of stripboard (aka perfboard) for this project, but still quite lost on how to physically solder the LED's together, would you have any photo's of the LED tube light that you made and any photo's in particular of the LED wiring/soldering just so that i would have a better way of seeing how this is done, i dont have any friends that know anything about electronics so your my only hope !

Below is some photo's of the magnifier lamp housing and some stripboard strips ive cut (as i didnt really want to drill holes for 150 LEDs that i plan to use as 5 sets of 30 LED's !)

Once again many thanks in advance Dipankar ji,

(sorry i somehow messed up the replies here and double posted some photo's! i do apologise!)

kindest regards,

Anil

[samiti]

Dear Dipankar ji,

I am a TV Journalist Based at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. I am also associated with one of the oldest Non Profit making organisation of Madhya-Pradesh, which is committed for the promotion of Hindi and all other Indian languages, art and literature.

We were searching for some guidance to make it and i came on this page.

Sir we have arranged a electrician to make LED Tubelight according to the circuit given by you, Though we have prepared a basic cicuit of 10 LEDs (i will mail you a a photo or video of this) but we are facing some problems such as

1. which kind of LED Should be used .

2.We have used a acrylic plat for fixing LEDS. We made holes in that and fitted LEDs in those holes. LEDS are open from outer side. Could you please suggest any specific material placing LEDS and to cover this LEDS so that it may also look good.

I will be highly obliged if you could also give me your mobile no. my cell no. is 094250-52811

Thanking you again

Regeards

Subodh Khandelwal,
[e-mail]

[Dipankar]

Use 5mm LED's and any type of flexible transparent plastic can be used for the cover.

[muninformation]

Hi Dipankar. can u please send me the details too
my emaill id is [e-mail]
thnx in advnce

[offtherails2010]

AWESOME Instructable !!!

Firstly i much thank you so very very much Dipankar ji !!!

This is exactly what ive been needing to make a light source for my magnifier lamp !!!

I have a question though, ive only started learning electronics and ive started soldering some SMD components and find it much more fun to solder only because it saves me so much time drilling holes in my home made PCB's and i have bought 100 LED's all 3020 SMD Size, here are the specs of them:

Reverse Voltage: 5.0 V
DC Forward Voltage: Min: 3.0V Max: 3.6V
DC Forward Current: 20mA

But i only want to use 50 or 60 Maximum of these Bright LED's and save the rest for a few other projects i want to make and as they produce alot of heat my magnifier lamp's original LED Bulbs kept frying the little Bridge Rectifier SMD Chip due to prolonged use of the bulb due to heat generated from the LED's so im going to make a custom LED Bulb or my own and space out the LED's so that they dont all collectively gather up so much heat but the problem i have is:

Can i still use your schematic to only use, say, 60 LED's only ?

i only want to use 60 MAX because i really cant afford to buy more and your other projects are simply put - AWESOME !!!!!!

& i really want to save the rest of the LED's for those projects !

Ohhh please please please would you be able to help ?!!?

[Dipankar]

YES. Use two segments of 30+30 LED's.
See the Diagram.

[offtherails2010]

Thats Awesome ! Thank you so very very much !

i have finally received the capacitors and am ready to start creating one of these for my long dead magnifying lamp !!

Two last questions, if i may, lol !

This 1st question is from a hypothetical point of view:

Would it be easy to include some kind of dimmer-type device (perhaps like a Potentiometer ?) to allow the LED Banks to be adjustable ? if so what value of Pot would i use and where would i wire it upto, if a Pot would be capable of this job, i wouldnt know, only beginning electronics myself !

Once again Dipankarji, so very many thanks again for sharing your extremely easy to follow instructions with us all and also for the help you still continue to give everyone, i think i'd speak for everyone by saying we are very grateful & highly appreciate all that you do !

have a great day !

Anil

;-)

[clarencepinto]

Thanks Dipankar for the circuit diagram. I am a novice to this. Can you please explain the diagram a bit more as I am not sure how I am to connect the LED's. 1. Are they to be connected in "Series"? 2. What does the green and blue arrow heads signify? Is it the LED's? 3. If they are LED's then how are we to connect all the Positives & negatives as shown in the diagrams? 4. Can you explain how the legs of the LED's, that is the positive & negative legs are to be connected? I am sorry for asking such silly questions, but as I said I am a novice & hence am confused with the diagram. Regards, Clarence

[Dipankar]

Hi clarencepinto, Send me your Email ID so that I may be able to explain you from the Start, with diagrams. DG.........

[laxmi_bsnl]

dipankarji,

I am also novice to electronics. But i am very eager to learn about electronics and LEDs. my Email ID is [e-mail]. Please explain to me also from the start with diagrams.

Thanking you, waiting for ur reply.

[jman24x]

hi sir Dipankar,

can you please send me also the explanation or theory of this awesome project. i would also want to learn to hook up led in AC source.. Thank you very much

my email [e-mail]

[atma.atma]

Hi Dipankar,
I would be obliged if you could send me the detailed explanations of your circuit.
Look forward to hear from you.
Thank you
Atma
[e-mail]

[angry123]

Hello Dipankar,

This is Dinesh. Newly Joined this forum. Can you please send me the details of this tube light completely. I want to make one for myself. IS there any better design you have now. If yes, please provide me those details.

[angry123]

Forgot my Email ID - [e-mail]

[iamhusain]

Hi Dipankar,

Please Mail me the Explanation and Circuit Diagrams as well.

My ID is [e-mail]

Thanks.

[avinashinde2020]

can you also sen me the same ...
my id is [e-mail]

[jhymz]

gud day sir dipankar can you also send me the same details? im just new here also...
this is my email id...
[e-mail] thanks..
i have 1 question also? the non polarised capacitor 220vf 250 volts can also help to reduce my electricity bill consumption?
or can you give me some diagram to lessen my electric consumption
thanks.. :-D

[asy4]

can you also send me the same details? im just new here and want to learn thanks [e-mail]

[dbjadhav]

can you please send me the same details on [e-mail]

[j4janam]

Hi its works. would u please send me the details from the starting. m not a pro. so it will easier for me. my id- [e-mail] or [e-mail]

[rejinkadavil]

Dipankar please snd me the details too .my id [e-mail]

[clarencepinto]

Thanks Dipankar, I was able to make the tube light after you gave me all the details. Regards, Clarence

[avinashinde2020]

can you forward me the same mail @ [e-mail]

[kanabargi]

Please send me the detais how to connect LED Start, with diagrams. my email id [e-mail]

[japanjot]

hi dipankar .....hope you will help me....can u please tell me how can i connect 50 leds in series to 220-230 volt ac supply. i am new here but want to learn alot from you people. thank you

[mika.ch04]

can u plz tel me wats the approximate life of this type of home made led tubelight.....

thnx

[Dipankar]

The life of an LED is about 11 years.

[chnaveed.alam]

hello sir can u send me detail of your this project
i just want to know that these led are in series or parallel?
my e-mail id is [e-mail]
hope to get quick response from u
thnx

[chnaveed.alam]

i have attached 105 cod cap with 220v it gave me very low light
when i attached .27j 400v it gave me better the 1st .27 j is equl to 2 microfarad
i could not find .22uf cap what if i attached .22uf cap does it give me better then above or give me low light

[Dipankar]

0.22uf / 400 volts gives better light and better life to the LED's.
If you use 0.27uf / 400v on 220 volt AC the LED life is reduced.

[chnaveed.alam]

how did u calculate resistor value in watts u show 1k 1/2 watt resistor
can u explain it

[robinmym]

I can't understand where is the neutral point goes on 220v ac??????
answer me plzzzzzz

[Dipankar]

Look at the Circuit diagram and you will see the Negative and Positive wires coming out of the 220 v AC socket.

[chnaveed.alam]

i made it for 220 v but it get heat up
and tell me plz how to calculate capacitor value for 220 v and 120 etc

[Dipankar]

You have put the WRONG capacitor,
It should be 0.22uf of 400 volts.

[chnaveed.alam]

done
i changed it now working very well
can u help me to make 4 watt 220 v ac powered led bulb
1 more thing how to calculate a capacitor value for a circuit
i.g .22uf 400v for led ac circuit. how you calculate it
Regards

[Dipankar]

Each 1 watt consumes 300 mA of current.
4 into 300= 1200mA.
Better use a Transformer of 12volts 2 Amps. DC.

[amit271989]

hi sir,
Can you please explain the diagram a bit more as I am not sure how I am to connect the LED's. 1. Are they to be connected in "Series"? 2. What does the green and blue arrow heads signify? Is it the LED's? 3. If they are LED's then how are we to connect all the Positives & negatives as shown in the diagrams? 4. Can you explain how the legs of the LED's, that is the positive & negative legs are to be connected? I am sorry for asking such silly questions, but as I said I am a novice & hence am confused with the diagram.
my mail ID is [e-mail]

[chnaveed.alam]

can i use 24 led

[Dipankar]

YES.
Each LED consumes 15milli watt.

[chnaveed.alam]

plz tel me also how much power it consume in watts

[Adarsh77]

Have a look at a better circuit at http://www.instructables.com/community/LED-TubelightLamp-operating-with-220-volts-AC/

[Dipankar]

You have done NOTHING new but to put a bridge rectifier and convert it to DC,
By doing this there is a drop in voltage and glow of the LED's are reduced.

[faridi.Umayr]

can you please tell me about the connection of leds. I have all the required stuff, but now stuck on the connections of the leds..can any anyone please tell me about vertical line in the circuit?
[e-mail]

[Dipankar]

The vertical line is a connection, connecting the upper row and the lower row of LED's, which are placed in opposite directions.

[drako-fire]

(removed by author or community request)

[ixdune]

I think there is an error in the wiring of this circuit because the bridge rectifier will always apply reverse bias on the diodes and therefore current will never flow. The direction of the bridge diodes needs to be pointing to the left instead of to the right as they are now.

[Dipankar]

My circuit does NOT have a bridge rectifier.

I think you are referring to the two design done by drako-fire.............

[jhossain]

Many Many Thanks You Are Nice Circet Degine

[adi1977]

this circuit is not working I've tried it. Infact i've tried all the circuits on the net for making led tube the best one i thought was dipankar's the circuit did worked but there is very less light being seen not visible when the room light is on. Please any one can help me.

Thanking You
Adit Pal

[Dipankar]

Hi drako-fire, The Diodes are not required. Why you want to waste money on it?

[drako-fire]

I already have the diodes as i have tried two other designs witch required 1n4007 diodes so just thought of using them to make an AC - DC design

[irfan bangash]

Resistance of 1k - 1/2 watt is heating 220V
or resistance ijal gaya

can i use 1watt k2k Resistance ?

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

So Dipankar in the circuit diagram of 220 v ac is the RED dot the live wire and the green dot the neutral or is it vise versa. Also in India where did you get these LEDs. Could you please give me the shop name and its location.

[singh_1981]

Dude
only 1 shop at lamington road - Led Store is reasonable shop
Contact : 9673588161
Person : Mr. Romi

[Dipankar]

Hi vinet,
RIGHT
RED dot the live wire and the green dot the neutral.
I get my LED's from the local shop.
Any Electronics part shop in INDIA has them.
Which town are you from?

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

Have you got 10000 to 12000mcd LED for 1Rupee ? But when I phoned up and asked a shop in lamington road, he told me that for 10000mcd it was 15 rupees each and for 20000mcd it was 20 rupees each even though I wanted 150pcs of LED. Can you suggest me a cheap shop in lamington road where I can buy ultra bright LEDs and at a low rate of about 1 to 2 rupees. Please : ) 

[singh_1981]

Dude
only 1 shop at lamington road - Led Store is reasonable shop
Contact : 9673588161
Person : Mr. Romi

[Topline Mumbai]

We can provide you the above LED's...pl inform me your contact details.
We can also provide you capacitors ,Diodes and resistors and transistors.

With Regards,

G.Naik 

[sharmamilind]

hello sir,,
plz send me your email id so we can contact you for components and future bussiness my email id [e-mail]

[Dipankar]

Send me your e-mail ID.

[GrumpyOldGoat]

$28 US for 500 white 13000 mcd 5mm LED.  Free shipping.

ledshoppe.com/

I hope this helps.

[singh_1981]

Dear Dipankar
Can you send me your contact info at my email id : [e-mail]
I need to discuss with you lot of stuff

[Maqsood.a]

Hi..
I asked for 0.22uf 400v capacitor they gave me 224 J 400v. Is it the same value? can i use it?

[arupbsk]

I dont know why Dipankar is confused. But 224 is exactly the 0.22uf.
You should parallel two of it and the setup will be equivalent to 0.44uf.

[Dipankar]

But we don't want 0.44uf.

[arupbsk]

You said anything between 0.33 to 0.47 is fine. And 0.44 comes in the range.

[Dipankar]

Non Polarized Capacitor .33uF to .47uF rated 250v to 300 volts for ----110v AC


NOT 220 VOLT AC


33uF to .47uF FOR 110 Volts AC
.22uf FOR 220 VOLTS AC
Nowhere I have said to put .33uF to .47uF to 220 volt

[arupbsk]

Oh. I saw the comment "Hi..
I asked for 0.22uf 400v capacitor they gave me 224 J 400v. Is it the same value? can i use it?" and didnt thought he is talking about 220V.

[Dipankar]

YES you can use it with 220 volts AC <--------------> and NOT 110 volts AC

[Dipankar]

(removed by author or community request)

[shahud]

hiiii...
can u tell me electronic market in mumbai.. and the starting circuit [e-mail]

[Dipankar]

The electronic market in Mumbai is on Lamington Road.

[Maqsood.a]

Hi..
I checked with this (224 J / 400v) capacitor its working, only problem is resistor is getting heated any idea?

[Dipankar]

Heating may cause it to burst.........

[rva83704]

Has anyone tried this with Luxeon Rebel white LEDs, e.g. LXML-PWN2? At 700 mA they can put out 230 lumens. They are expensive, but it should be an interesting project.

[adi1977]

Hi Dipankar

It's a very nice project. But i'm facing problem. I made the same project you illustrated of 15+15 in a row using a 5mm small LED. I used 1K -1/2 Watt resistance but the shopkeeper gave me 225J/400v Non polarized capacitor instead of .22uf - 400v. on giving the power supply it did worked nice but the resistance burnt just after 10 seconds. I used 120K, 1M, 220K all 1/4 Watt it also worked but the light of LED got very Dimm. Please help me where am i wrong.

My e-mail ID :- [e-mail]
Mobile :- 09876600948

Thanking You
Adit Pal

[Dipankar]

ONLY .22uf WILL WORK....Because............
What you should be interested in is the current through your LEDs, and that can be calculated this way:

For each cycle (+ or -), you have 15 of them. So that means together they 'need' 15 * 3.3v or about 50v.

Now the 220 vac puts out 220 * 1.4 or 308v (this is from my Instructable).

So, the "leftover" volts the cap need to handle is 308-50, or 258volts peak.

Now the REAL maths: the resistance of the .22uF cap:

1 / (2 * pi * freq * C) which works out to 14.5K-ohms for 50c/s. (that's why we need AC)

Now current, i = V/R, so for we have 258/14500 = 18mA, which is also what is allowed to go through the LEDs in your circuit. Now remember that this is only for half the time, so it's REALLY safe for the LED.

But fortunately, we have another set of LEDs lighting in the OTHER half of the time, plus our eyes have a thing called persistence of vision which remembers the brightest light for about 1/20 of a second, and so your light 'appears' to be almost as bright as a LED that is constantly lit at 17mA, which is about 75% of maximum brightness.

[adi1977]

Hi Dipankar

Thanks for your reference i'll work on it and revert back to you.

Please can you send me the photo of the capacitor and the resistance. what does 225J mean (Does it mean a .25uF capacitor with J as 5% tolerance). Today i bought one capacitor and this is what is written on it F .22J ND 400V ( will this one work) and the color code of the resistance is brown black red Golden 1/2 Watt.

Thanks
Adit Pal

[adi1977]

My dear friend i applied a .22uF 400v capacitor with 1K 1/2 Watt resistance the LED do light up but at a very very very low brightness but it the dark room you still cannot see anything. Please help me where am i wrong. I've made it according to your schematis the lower row of all LED's with + on the left side and the upper row with positive on the right side and all in b/w connected with a wire

Thanks

Adit Pal

[Dipankar]

If you want bright light then go for 1 watt LED's which are costly but very bright.

[adi1977]

Hello my dear friend Dipankar

Please dont mind anything upon my saying. If i wrote anything bad please excuse me for that and i say sorry for that. If i go for some higher value resistance and higher in wattage will it work. Eg say 10 K 2 or 3 Watt resistance.

Also please can you provide me with the schematic for making a tube with 1 watt LED's which has the capability of fully lightening the room. and also i want to convert my conceal lights to 4 to 5 watt LED and the halogens in the office to High power LED's . Please can you help me and also please provide me your mobile No. so that i can contact you for any help.

Thanking You
Adit Pal
You can contact me on 09876600948

[Russkoop]

I have a question for dipankar. Would it be possible to build a led-tube that is using the existing ballast in the fixture instead of connecting it to 220Volt. And if that is possible how preventing that the high voltage a ballast is giving when starting is damaging the led- tube.

If this is possible we would have a led-tube that can be exchanged wit a fluorescent tube.

Thanks,

Rob from the Netherlands

[Dipankar]

No not possible.

[xin966]

hello, i have heard from a engineer that it can be replaced directly without taking off ballast. And the question is the power will be higer as the ballast has its own power 3-4w. Also the lifespan will be effected due to high power.

Looking for the advise about this.

Thanks


Xin

[bmunim]

Kindly tell me that is there any polarity issue when connecting to AC ,that RED should be on Live and Green on neutral or we can connect vise versa to AC

[Dipankar]

No polarity issue when connecting to AC

[mouly244]

Dear Sir i want make light with 16 LEDs (3.2v@ 120mA).Pls tell me wat changes i have to make in the circuit.Waiting for reply

[mouly244]

Dear Sir .wat is the life of this LED light.I heard that capacitor life is very short.people say that LED lights in market lasts fro more than 10 years without any problem .Is that true?how many our LED tube light operates .Waiting for reply

[Dipankar]

LED's have very long life.
Make one and see it for yourself.

[pradnue]

hey buddy
can you suggest me electronics project about LED which is latest
pls. send me details on my mail id

[Gyro243]

Hi Dipankar,
Just signed up to instructables. You say to use "Non Polarized Capacitor .22 uF rated 400 volts -for 220 volts for AC". About the voltage rating of the capacitor, you say "rated 400 volts" do you mean "400v ac or 400v dc".

thanks

[Dipankar]

"400 volt AC"

[Gyro243]

great thanks for that Dipankar.

enjoy,
Gyro

[azharlatif]

Hi, Dipankar

I know someone earlier had requested the same on this forum but i too need your help to construct an LED tube light of 100 5mm leds dual power operated (AC 220 and DC). when AC power goes off the LED load shifts automatically on battery power which auto charges when AC 220 is available. In other words, when the main power is available, the light runs on the 220VAC directly and charges the battery and when the main is turned off due to load shedding, the light runs through the charged battery.

Please help me with a circuit diagram by mailing it directly to my email address latif.azharATgmail.com


thanks & much regards,

AL

[Dipankar]

AC and DC Circuits for LED's are different so it is not possible to have them together in one project.

[chartionis]

Why do you ask for 100 leds or more? Can I use less?

[Dipankar]

YES

[unni.0p]

the sales man said it 3watt led while i search in net the image is same so i think it is 3 watt led

[Dipankar]

What is the working volt, and the size (Diameter) of the LED.
Connect it to a 3 Volt battery and see if it glows or not.

[unni.0p]

i have 3 watt led can i use that in this diagram?

[Dipankar]

3 watt or 3 Volt?
What is the size of the LED's?
5mm or 10mm or Bigger?
What is the working volt?
The working volt should be 3.5 volts.

[tani]

One Questioy: why do you connetc diodes like this:  

    ------>|------>|------>|--------
    |              |           |                |-------
    |              |           |                |
    ------<|------<|------<|--------

And not like this:
    ------>|------>|------>|--------
    |                                          |-------
    |                                          |
    ------<|------<|------<|--------
(sorry for my english)

[hijama]

can anyone tell me through real life circuit how to connect leds in the manner mentioned in the tube light circuit diagram. . send me your build picture at my id [e-mail]

[FERNANDO19BLO]

La segunda imagen es la que está bien, dipankar no tiene ni idea de lo que hace, sigue tutoriales simplemente...

[Dipankar]

Hi Tani,

Because AC is Alternate Current Means, + - + - + - + - + - + - + -

or vvvvvvvvvvvvvv up-Down-up-down-up down

DC is Direct Current means,

+ + + + + + + + + + + +
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

 

[FERNANDO19BLO]

No tiene nada que ver que sea alterna o continua, lo que te preguntan es para que los unis con las lineas verticales, no tiene sentido hacerlo...

[071001rakesh]

y connect 30led's in parallel is any problem.

[soumitra]

Dear Dipankar Sir,

I am electronics hobbyist. I have worked on many electronic gadgets which successfully created from many authors circuit idea by the rigor of my best analysis and experiment. My current project is creating LED tube light and I have found you on a website when on searching this related topic on Google. Moreover, I want to evince you that I have not guided through electronics or nor have passed from science stream. So, I earnestly requested you that please guide me on LED series, which had attached as picture.
I saw your precious idea on LED tube light circuit that you had kept on your web blog.

But I want to gather more idea on this system and then please draw up a circuit for me and which also stud on my below points:
1. Low power consumption.
2. Long operation life.
2. High Lumens Output. (Please also mention, What type of LED use? Which is easily available in India (cities like Kolkata)?
3. Totally Flicker Free.

Any attention shown to me will greatly oblige.

Thanking you,
Yours obediently,
Soumitra Paul
Durgapur-10, Dist.: Burdwan
West Bengal, India.
Mobile: [phone]
eMail: [e-mail]

[malikak]

Dipankar

dear sir, i need your help to construct a LED tube light consist 100 5mm leds dual power operated (AC 220 and DC). when AC power is goes off the led load shift automatic on battery power which auto charge during AC 220 is available and led tube run on 220 VAC directly.
Please help me to prepare a circuit diagram and mail me my email address [e-mail]
i shall be thankful to you for this

regards
waheed

[unni.0p]

Thank u Dipankar for ur speedy replay
i have another doubt can i make myown pcb with ease?

[Dipankar]

Yes ,
Why not it's very easy.

[unni.0p]

i have .47 mf capasitor can i use it for .22 for 220 v circut?

[Dipankar]

Use .22 uf / 400 v Capacitor for 220 volts AC
and .47 uf /250 volts for 110 volt AC.

[muthukumar.arjun]

dude im new here can u explain the circuit diagram........ my id is [e-mail]

[Womperman]

How close do you belive we can put the leds next to each other to minimize flicker without serious problems? I would like to make the system as compact as possible.

[Dipankar]

As close as touching each other.

[Womperman]

Thank you for your response. I have a location I would put some light and wanted to use this setup but space is limited. This really is a great substitute for conventional lighting and the versatility opens up all kinds of possiblites.

[speedledlight]

We are the professional LED lights factory,pls contact [e-mail]

[mouly244]

Can u plz help me with circuit diagram for converting 230v ac to dc so that i can connect some 80-90leds in series .led forward voltage 3.2v and current is 20ma what would be the total power consumption of the light.plz help me......

[Dipankar]

You do not have to convert AC to DC. Use a 12 volt AC transformer of 500 ma to light up 150 LED's.

[redote]

Great instructable, I'm new for AC. plz clarify where does the no '150' from?
Thanks for yr help.

[Dipankar]

Hi redote,
In this project I have not used a Transformer but you can see my another project where I have used a Transformer " LED CHANDELIER AC " and "SPIRAL LED  CHANDELIER" where I have used 240 LED's.

[kausik]

Dear Dipankar, kindly send full details about this LED bulb and 3X3watt led drivre,I am new for this site. thank you. my email id [e-mail]

[Maqsood.a]

hello.. i'm planning to construct this led tube light. i have some doubts will u pl's help me out coz i dont know much about it. 1) U have given direct AC to leds, where in leds will work on DC voltage will it not explode or burn when connected to direct AC? 2) I didnt understand how to connect this leds if u can pl's send me the picture and diagram to my email id? My email id is [e-mail]

[leo83]

hello, i made a led tubelight as you said, but after 3-4 hours my resistor 1k-0.5 watt burns, can you please tell me , whr i am going wrong .. thanks leo

[paulchiao]

I can forward a LED sample to you.

[Dipankar]

For 220 volts AC, Use a non-polarised Capasitor of .22uF / 400 volts, and a resistor of 1K-0.5 watt. IF THE CAPACITOR IS NOT CORRECT THEN THE RESISTOR WILL BURN. All my capacitors are working through out the night and every day.

[maxshinoda]

Dear Sir, I got 224K 400V capasitor will it work? they said it is 0.22uf 400V...

[shan4djfun]

thanks a lot

[Jeevendra]

This is an awesome idea. I'm definitely gonna try this. If this puts up enough power, we will use this as street lights in our housing complex. Dipankar, will you be able to tell me how much power this puts out? Also is it a good idea to use this as street lights?

[vivekair]

please answer the following querries- 1. do we need a heat sink / cooling system? 2. the intensity of light emmitted will be comparable to Fluorescent Tube of which wattage? 3. specifications of LED 4. Easy availability & price of LED, Capacitor and Resistance used.

[Dipankar]

1. Heat sink NOT required. 2. Five watt. for 30 LED. 3. Brand Name...............GTW iv...................................10000-12000 MCD Vf...................................3.2 - 3.4 V Color............................White. 4. Price per LED............Rupee 1/-

[faintedbrain_007]

Dipankar sir where is the circuit to run it in a dv battery here iz the image for the battery

[matangijanu]

led price

[Merari]

HEllo DIpankar, the bulb which in market with 19 LEDs bulb can u plz tell me how many watts is that ? thax

[paulchiao]

please let me know your requirements maybe I can help you

[Dipankar]

SORRY I do not know...................

[matangijanu]

hi thanks pl help high power led(3.2v 20ma ) street light circuit pl send circuit diagram 5 led to 100 led [e-mail]

[faintedbrain_007]

Dude! i wanna run these 90 LEDz in a 12v DC battery what can i do? mail me @ these email ids [e-mail] (or) [e-mail]

[Dipankar]

Hi Kid, Let me know the Amperage of the battery to calculate the LED's.

[faintedbrain_007]

itz 7.2 Ah battery here is the preview http://www.discountfiresupplies.co.uk/media/productimages/296_main.jpg

[shan4djfun]

how about with a 230V 50Hz supply???????????????? plz help

[Dipankar]

What is your Question? Send your E-mail ID for a reply.

[amarya]

i hav problem sir, i made led tube light, but this light is continously ON minm one year. sir how it is possible? .

[Dipankar]

I really don't know. I THINK YOU HAVE GOT A DIRECT LINK TO GOD'S POWER LINE.

[haribalaji]

 hi Deepankar, 
As per ur ckt diagram, if we limit current to 100 mA, then the power will be 230*0.1=23 W.  will this give equivalent brightness of fluorescent lamp?. what is the current limit if we want to use x no of leds and 2x no of leds?
pls answer.

Hari balaji

[Dipankar]

To get brightness as per the Tube Light we have to use EXTRA bright LED's of one watt each, which are at present very costly.
If you use 5mm White LED's with a transformer then you can get bright light.

[Dipankar]

HI haribalaji,
If we limit the current to 100 mA, then the LED's will overload which is not advisable.

[haribalaji]

Hi deepankar, if we are changing no. of leds in a string, should we want to change the resistor and capacitor values? how u designed that capacitor and resistor is suitable for 30 no.? Hari balaji

[Dipankar]

If you use more than 30 LED's in a string then the LIGHT will go dim. SEE Step-2.

[haribalaji]

anyway we are limiting the current, so how to decide the no of leds for 230V ac?

[haribalaji]

thanks for your reply, then why 30 no? why cant be less? how the number 30 is designed????

[Dipankar]

Yes it can also be less than 30, such as 2, 4 ,6, 8, 10 12,14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. OK.............

[haribalaji]

hi deepankar, 
1.To which current we have to limit? depending on that only we need to select the capacitor and resistor know. 
2.Will it give the brightness of our existing fluorescent lamp??????
3.Will the wattage be 230 * Current limited ?????????
4.will the led give sufficient brightness with 15 mA?
5.can we choose high watt leds????

need answers for all. give me ur mail id, so that we can discuss more...

thanks

[tacuar]

led tube lights at this moment,is still good, because the workinge enviroment is also the place human can suffer,like indoor, not like other lights,led street lights,will be working in very tough places,where the sun is very strong and the aging of led is very quick.

[applecleve]

whooooooo.....man....great job......
i think i fin'lly found a solution for my high electricity consumption on light alone.....anyway....i'm just a little bit confused about the diagram.....could you please send me the full detail of the project.....im using 220vAC...so please please please......help me with this very helpful project of yours....
more power dude....
and more projects to buld..
[e-mail]
thank you!!!

[coretj]

 what is the color code for the 1k - 1 watt resistor?

[Dipankar]

Brown Black Red

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

Dear Dipankar,
                            I have successfully finished doing the LED headlight. It looks like a factory carved masterpiece. But for fitting it in the bike, I have some doubts. I wanted to run the the LEDs in the following way : When it is dipper, only the 5mm LEDs should light up. And when it is upper both the 5mm LEDs and the High power LEDs should Light up. Is this schematic OK? If not can you suggest me another one : )

[Dipankar]

Is this schematic OK?
YES.......................
Enjoy.

[tani]

Yes, I know. what I mean is why do you shortcut between each pair of diodes when you can put 15 diodes in series and conect it with 15 diodes in paralell but in oposite direction.
thanx

[Dipankar]

Because the closer the LED's, less flicker is noticeable.
FLICKER is noticeable when the +LED and - LED are further apart.

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

Hi Dipankar. In the circuit for the LED headlights that you gave me, I have finished soldering the LEDs and the resistors on a 15*9 cm circuit board. But now I want to check if I have soldered everything correctly and if the LEDs light up properly. Can I directly add 12v DC before the diodes and the capacitor to do so? Or is there any other way to check if the the the LEDs glow but without connecting it to the bike? Below I am giving you the schematic of the circuit that you gave me.   

[Dipankar]

Hi Vinet,
Yes add 12v DC before the diodes and the capacitor (Bridge Rectifier).
Let me know the result.

[metaal]

be aware that this will switch the leds on-off with the 25 Hz cycle. The eye can see that. I have made a lamp with 96 leds (still under construction). I use a rectifier to make AC to DC. Now the leds go on-off with 100Hz.

[hethu_81]

Hello ,

I saw your comment and i come to know that u r working. May i know how u worked. please send the work to my mail id [e-mail]

[Dipankar]

Converting AC to DC is not practical as you can light up the LED's with AC only.
If the LED's are kept closer then the flicker is not noticeable.

[Ramesh P.Shanbhag]

Hi,Dipankar,
How LEDs required to provide Same illumination like Tube Light of 40W?

[Ramesh P.Shanbhag]

Please reply to my above question.
 Happy Holi.
With kind regards
Ramesh Shanbhag

[Dipankar]

For that you need EXTRA BRIGHT WHITE LED's which are costly.

[dbjadhav]

I have purhcased 30 led dia around 5-6mm ,dont know non poloried capcitor 105kt 250v and 1 k 5 resitor(ceramic). but some led are not burning . light also low .i dont know what to do
where as i was made another circout with(with small led) .22mfd 250volt and 1k5 resistor .which is giving good light .

please suggest me

bigger led i paid 10rs and small each rs 2

[zorif]

good one.
but the point of using LED's is to save the energy.
in this design most of the energy will be wasted thru resistor as heat.
only Switch mode supplies,can give efficiencies of 80-90%

believe me i worked on a Huge efficient lighting system which uses 100no's of 3 watt leds.

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

Can I use an array of 100 or 200 of these LEDs to produce 2000 lumens? And can I use this array of LEDs as the headlights in a Motorcycle?

[gaurav281284]

hi Sir,
i stay in mumbai. Pease help me out, is 100nos of 5mm led enough to light a 150sqft room. please email me at [e-mail]

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

Gaurav after a few days I too am about to make a LED bulb of 100 LEDs. it will look like a CFL bulb. As soon as I finish with the work, I will give you the feedback of the bulb. By the way where do you live in Mumbai and from where and at what rate did you buy the LEDs?

[Dipankar]

Hi Vinet,
And can I use this array of LEDs as the headlights in a Motorcycle?
YES YOU CAN but it must be properly designed.
Send me your E-mail ID and I will send you the circuit diagram.
Dipankar......

[dbjadhav]

[e-mail]

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

I loved your chandeliar project and have rated it with 5 stars

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

I live in the sub urbs of Mumbai

[Dipankar]

10000 to 12000 mcd 5mm LED.
You can get LED's on Lamigton Road, at Marine Drive.
I lived and worked in Mumbai for a few years.

[Jayvis Vineet Gonsalves]

How many Lumens or mcd does one LED produce?

[jeronimowagner]

Hi Dipankar, what is the function of capacitor in this project?Thanks  and congratulations for your creation.

[Dipankar]

To bring down the voltage.

[suryen8]

ok but wot abt the rectifiers??dunt u need em'?? and wot if the voltage input goes too high..wont the leds brust?? and wot abt the fact tht eventually if  a led burns up the rest dosent lit up....umm lots a questions to ask solly 4 tht...you know it would be a mch help if u could please design a circuit wid a ac to dc conversion so tht every thing is safe....every one here would really like to see ur creation in this one ...i ask everyone else here to bring sumthing new with led coz its the future..but hey keep it simpul! lolz!!! thank 4 the desighn wid ac suplly as well

[kieperm]

I was in my garage the other night and was just thinking about if I could replace my shop lights with LED and started to google it today. WOW they are expensive to buy. Can you please sned me details on how to make my own and where to get the parts. I am not sure where in my small town would have them so I will buy everything online. Thanks Mark. My email is [e-mail]

[nagaindian]

Dear Dipankar, kindly send full details about this LED tube light. I am new for this site. thank you. my email id
[e-mail]

[bbsux]

Is this "wasting" power thru the resistor as heat?

[Dipankar]

NO

[mouly244]

Thank u this is very good .Does the power consumption differ by using AC from using DC.Which current is better AC or DC

[Dipankar]

AC is cheap but has flicker. DC is costly but is without flicker.

[skdking]

Refer my comment posted earlier. My email ID is skdkingatyahoodotcom Regards Sanjeev Dubey

[skdking]

Thanks Dipankar for the circuit diagram. I am a novice to this. Can you please explain the diagram a bit more as I am not sure how I am to connect the LED's. 1. Are they to be connected in "Series"? 2. What does the green and blue arrow heads signify? Is it the LED's? 3. If they are LED's then how are we to connect all the Positives & negatives as shown in the diagrams? 4. Can you explain how the legs of the LED's, that is the positive & negative legs are to be connected? 5. We have 220 V supply in India. What will be the values of the capacitor/resistors in our case? I am sorry for asking such silly questions, but as I said I am a novice & hence am confused with the diagram. Regards Sanjeev Dubey

[Boyhazard]

Hi Dipankar! Thanks for the great instructable. I joust wish to know your opinion. I will make the led lights around my LCD TV. I will use your instructable and have 38 leds in a segment (leght 190 cm and two segments - 5cm one led). Or it will be better to have 19 leds on a segment - 10cm one led? It will be on a 220 V house supply. What would you prefer? How it is with a 9V power supply - adaptor (hope that the right word for it)?

[Boyhazard]

Forgot the led description: - 13000mcd - 3,2-3,8V - max: 30mA - angel: 20~25

[wkumtrider]

What exactly is a "PVC concealed wiring rigid batten?" I did a search and couldn't find anything. Thanks for the help.

[japanjot]

can i use 6+6 leds for 230 v? nd is there any chance dat the leds would burn or get dim?

[Dipankar]

YES
You you can use 2+2, 3+3, 4+4, 5+5 and so on. It will make no difference.

[japanjot]

thnx bro, i just completed ur model of light,works gr8...........in few days would b making one more, can u tell me a solution to totally reduce the flickering,no matter wt extra i hv to add in it.....thnk u

[Dipankar]

Hi japanjot, To eliminate the slight flicker you have to change over to DC, for which you have to use step-down Transformer and Bridge rectifier diodes. It is a costly process and you will have to change the circuit also. This circuit will not work on DC.

[japanjot]

okies thnk you....i would use 5+5 for my house number plate. nd i replied ur mail today,i ws nt in town.

[japanjot]

thnx bro, i just completed ur model of light,works gr8...........in few days would b making one more, can u tell me a solution to totally reduce the flickering,no matter wt extra i hv to add in it.....thnk u

[halfside]

Hi, I want to use 30 piranha white leds wich use 80ma., please can you help me to calculate the capacitor and the resistance that I need? I've been making tests with proteus but no results...

[Dipankar]

Send me your E-mail Id for a lesson on LED's. What power source do you want to use AC or DC let me know?

[halfside]

Here you have my last test... I think It's working but I don't know if this work fine in real life. I'm afraid about flickering effect....

[Dipankar]

For 220 volts AC use .22uf condenser of 400 volts and a 1K 1watt Resistor and nothing else.

[halfside]

With this values, I have less than 20ma per led, and as I told you my leds work with 80ma max. (20-80ma 3.3v). I've made some test and with 1uF capacitor and 1K Resistance I have ~70ma and 3.4v.. I think this is right, but I have to test in real life to see the flikering effect. Anyway thanks a lot for your instructable.

[halfside]

My email: [e-mail]. Power Source 220V AC 50Hz. Thanks for your help.

[moechlis]

Hi Dipankar, Very interesting project, please send me a detail schematic diagram from beginning.. send it to [e-mail].. thanks anyway

[hemmikarl]

for the current to be not over 20mA (depends on what the diode ratings are) the resistor should be around 7Kohm.(using a diode bridge should help to lenghten the diode life... but why is it connected between the rows of diode (between evry diode is a connection verticly)

[Dipankar]

Hi hemmikari,
Please read below what frenetic says, I quote.......
"You should understand that in this circuit, each LED is protected by a 'twin' LED connected in the opposite polarity, so there won't be any excessive reverse-voltage. This LED also fills in and removes the flicker you talk about.
To use a resistor to do what the capacitor does here you'll need one that is rated at 3-watts or more.
The circuit here is quite elegant and is based on sound electrical practices."

[hemmikarl]

but the size of the resistor is still wrong in the 220V schematic...
and the diode voltige i used to get out 7Kohm is 3V IDmax=20ma

and it's HEMMIKARL not HEMMIKARI

[Dipankar]

Sorry, HEMMIKARL

The formulas that you should use are:

C = 1 / (22200 * V) = 0.2uF for 220vAC (non-polarised, rated for 350V)
R = 1.5K, 1/2W
n = max number of LEDs in each direction
= .14 * V = 31 LEDs before it starts to be noticeably dim.

If you make C too large, you will be letting too much current through the LEDs and that will cause it to heat up too much, which will drastically shorten the life of the LEDs.

[cdrwnfl]

When calculating "n", where does the " .14" * V come from?

[Dipankar]

This is the 'magic' number of LEDs so that their total voltage drop is 33% (1/3) of the peak AC voltage. At this point, the output drops to about 75% of max which is will be noticeably dimmer.

The math:
Vpk = Vac * sqrt(2)
Vled = Vpk / 3
# LEDs (in each direction) = Vled / 3.3

Combining them we get:
(Vac * sqrt(2)) / (3 * 3.3), or about Vac * .14

[francisjjp]

Hi Dipankar again.

Could you say me why there is a limit to connect many LEDs in serie.

Where did you get the equation n x 0.14 = V, so for 220 , n = 31. Why there is a limit?. If i connect 60 leds in serie, they don't work? why dim them?

Thanks very much

[Dipankar]

Hi francisjjp, One condenser can brightly light up 30 LED's but if you keep on adding more LED's it will start to get dim. You can go on adding LED's but slowly and slowly the LED"S will start getting dimmer and dmmer.

[Loki1978]

I may have missed it in a previous comment,but what was the total cost of this?

[Dipankar]

30 LED = Rs 30/- ( Indian Rupee )
1 Capacitor = Rs 10/-
1 Resistor = Rs 1/-
Total Rs 41/- ( Less then 1 US Dollar)

[Loki1978]

that is awesome, was there a specific place you ordered them from?

[Dipankar]

In INDIA things are very cheap if you know the right places. Most Electronics items are smuggled from Singapore, China, and other South Asian Countries. The funny thing is that you get almost everything here which you may not get in other countries.

[kanabargi]

Please send me the detais how to connect LED Start, with diagrams. my email id [e-mail]

[Dipankar]

Will do in a short while.

[clchee]

Can I use a Polarized capacitor ? would it make any difference ? Secondly, for AC supply does it matter which pin goes to LIVE and which goes to Neutral ?

[Dipankar]

First Question............NO Second Question......NO

[ampeyro]

it's something i don't understand, why are the leds connected in that way?, why is the capacitor?, and shouldn't this be easier with one of these 4 diodes circuits?(i don't remember the name)

[Dipankar]

Hi ampeyro It is connected in that way because it runs on AC. If you use Diodes then you have to run it on DC. Diodes are used to convert AC to DC. Capacitor is used in this circuit as it is working on AC only. AC is alternating current, 2 LED are interconnected because of the reverse current of the AC.

[japanjot]

okzzz frnd.........y r we not using a diode??????? if we conenct all leds in single series, then we have to use diode or not???? plzzz tell me this diode concept. thnku

[Dipankar]

Diodes Have many uses it is also used to convert AC to DC, Here we are directly useing AC so diodes are not required.
LED's can glow with AC or DC current.

[revhead]

im not a pro at this sort of stuff but from my experience i pretty sure that an LED is a diode itself.
L = Light
E = Emitting
D = Diode.

but im not sure how they would behave in an AC circuit...?

[Dipankar]

LED's work with both AC and DC current.

[francisjjp]

Hi Dipankar. ¡It's great this design and cheap!. I ask you for two things (i would like making some LED tube like you). a) Because of the led are in serie, i think the heat is low, (not to much current , not parallel circui). I suppose the led will light many time though the power supply isn't a constant current supply. b) ¿Have you found the male connector T-5 for the LED tube? Thanks and congratulatios for the design!

[francisjjp]

Can you see the image. The T-5 male connector is standart terminal to connect tube fluorescent. Look at the photo. Regards.

[Dipankar]

What do you mean by connector T-5, I dont understand? There are no connectors used all contact are soldered.

[japanjot]

hi dipankar .....hope you will help me....can u please tell me how can i connect 50 leds in series to 220-230 volt ac supply. how many resistor and capacitor ould b required, nd pls mention their ratings. i am new here but want to learn alot from you people. thank you

[vivekair]

thanx. It's a nice project........ I am going to work on it. I was wondering that the number of LEDs in 220 v circuit shall be twice the number in 110 V. Also Please explain me how to calculate the no. on LEDs to be attached in series.

[Dipankar]

Use 15 + 15 LED's for 220 volts or 110 volts. No need to calculate, More then 30 LED's will become Dim. You can use less than 30 say 12+12 or 6+6 OK

[vivekair]

hey deepankar, Capacitance connected in 220 v circuit is enough to limit current to 16mA. then why Resistance is needed???

[Dipankar]

Extra Safety

[trike road poet]

Dipankar, Saw the 'Tube Light', I'm going to be building one for my kitchen to get rid of the high intensity track lights that have so much heat they warm up the room when on! I like the idea, very cool, very well laid out and totally energy savings. You ought to see if you could find a company to make your design, sort of a 'fluorescent tube replacement item' for energy savings and safety. (No dangerous phosphors and no long glass tubes that break so easy, with a long life of operation. A very neat and very clean design, this one ought to become a product! Well done, very well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dipankar]

Thanks Pal, My crazy ideas do work. Vote for me.

[alexander.m]

Might I ask why you use AC current. When you could easily convert AC to DC with a bridge diode which would cost less then $1 and would increase the lifespan of the led's.

[Dipankar]

Why waste 1$ when this works fine. qs is correct, The capacitor only works with AC to limit current. The life span of the LED's will grow with AC because the LED's are on and off half the time.

[rc jedi]

low parts count, the capacitor use is brilliant! Most would have indeed used a diode bridge and gone dc with it. Great project, now you got me thinking...........

[Dipankar]

Hi jedi, See my other Instructables "LED CHANDELIER" where I have also used AC with a transformer, but this one is cheaper.

[rc jedi]

oh, thanks for the pdf file too!

[hemmikarl]

but the back voltige on the led's will shorten the lifespan

[qs]

If you add a bridge the circuit simply will not work. The capacitor only works with AC to limit current. On what do you base your comment about the LEDs lifespan?

[alexander.m]

Then remove the capacitor and it will work, if need to limit the current further then increase the resistance. Also what I meant by lifespan is that led's become damaged with the wrong polarity. In reference to this I suggest to use a bridge diode which would effectively remove flicker and lifespan problems. If you need further reference to this then go to http://led.linear1.org/how-do-i-drive-leds-from-alternating-current/

[frenetic]

You should understand that in this circuit, each LED is protected by a 'twin' LED connected in the opposite polarity, so there won't be any excessive reverse-voltage. This LED also fills in and removes the flicker you talk about. To use a resistor to do what the capacitor does here you'll need one that is rated at 3-watts or more. The circuit here is quite elegant and is based on sound electrical practices.

[Dipankar]

Thanks for your comments, You have explained it very beautifully.

[Kasaron]

What amount of lumens can we expect to see from the average LED array using this?

[Dipankar]

I don't have a light meter, to measure the light output but I can say that it gives more light than a 20 watt CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light).

[Kasaron]

And it probably lasts oodles longer too. I may just have to make a handful for my garage. Cheers Mate

[jmengel]

I think that the statement "runs on 110 or 220 volts AC, just like your ordinary Fluorescent Tube Light" is not accurate, potentially dangerous and should be amended. Your ordinary fluorescent tube light does not run on 120 or 240VAC directly, but requires a ballast between it and the 120/240VAC to generate the higher voltages needed and to regulate current once the lamp has started. Otherwise, interesting instructable, but I would really like to see some photos of the build process. You also gloss over a lot of important safety details regarding how to connect to the mains. An argument can be made for caveat emptor, but it is a lot easier for the experienced reader to skip over rudimentary details than it is for an enthusiastic novice to fill in the blanks. If you want this instructable to win anything you are going to need to fill in the blanks in terms of photos, build details, and instruction. Keep up the good work.

[Dipankar]

Hi jmengel,
Thanks for your comments.
I would like to make it very clear that playing with 220 volt AC is never SAFE.
A TV sometimes give you a deadly shock if you touch the Antenna wire.
No electrical equipment is guaranteed against shock even a tube light, if you put your fingers in the wrong places.
As for photos of the build process, is a waste of time. The most important thing of a project is the CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OR PLAN (in case of a Building) you can build from it in your own way with materials available to you in your country, because the things available in the USA may not always be available in INDIA or NEPAL. Take this into consideration.
A builder never copy's other people's work, there is no satisfaction in that.

[rimar2000]

Please Dipankar, put a similar instructable for 220 V. This is very useful. I don't know the costs, but I suppose this is affordable.

[Dipankar]

Hi rimar2000, See step 3 for 220 volts AC.

[rimar2000]

Pardon Dipankar, I don't read well. This is explained for 220 V

[drago812]

wasnt wha i was looking for but i got the info on who i want to make mine when ever my leds come in the mail from ebay i will make the tub