Introduction: LED Video Chat Light
Pretty basic stuff here, and I don’t know about you but I am CONSTANTLY finding myself in situations where my video chat lighting is terrible! This project fixes that quite nicely, as seen in the before and after shots.
Step 1: Video
A video of this project, if that's your thing. Otherwise, keep reading :D
Step 2: Measure
I measure the outside dimensions of my display and add 1/4" overhang on all sides. Take care to design the frame so it doesn't cover up the webcam!
Step 3: Cut
1/4" plywood is cut into 1/2" strips with a circular saw, and cross cut to length at the mitre saw.
Step 4: Sand
Eliminate pesky splinters with some sandpaper.
Step 5: Joinery
Just running down some joinery options here. From the top down: a butt joint doesn't provide a lot of glue surface, a 45 degree mitre is tricky to get right, but I think a half lap will be perfect (that's the one at the bottom)!
Step 6: Routing
Half lap joints are easy to cut on the router table.
SAFETY FIRST! Don't forget your push blocks.
Step 7: Glue
Just a standard assembly using Titlebond-3.
Step 8: Prepare LEDs
Cutting up an LED strip and sticking it down to the frame.
Step 9: Solder
Since the LED strips was cut up, now it needs to be reconnected.
SAFETY FIRST! Don't forget your soldering smoke absorber.
Step 10: LIGHT IT UP
It's very bright!!
Step 11: Dimmer Circuit
The light was too bright to use, so I create a dimmer circuit. This is cheaper than a commercial LED dimmer switch.
7x 1N4001 diodes in series on a breadboard provide 8 nodes with incrementally decreasing voltage. Each diode presents a voltage drop of about 0.7V (the power supply and LED strips are rated to 12V).
This LED strip is from Lee Valley (4000K 30 LEDs/m).
Step 12: Wrap-up
You're awesome!
Thanks for reading :)
Grand Prize in the
Hack Your Day Contest