Super Simple Automated LED Wardrobe Lights.

My wardrobe is like a deep dark abyss whether at day or at night. I had to hunt for my clothes using a torch. I had to find a solution to this problem which I feel might be faced by many others too......

So I came up with the idea of making an Automated LED Wardrobe Light that would save me the inconvenience of looking out for my clothes with only one hand as the other was holding the torch. A gadget that was easy to assemble, reasonably cheap and very practical in our day to day lives.

This Automated LED Light can be used in your wardrobes, under-bed storage area and in modular kitchen cabinets. The Automated LED Light that I have made, uses a 9v battery as the source of power. However, power from a wall wart or a cell phone charger can also be used to power the Automated LED Light.

The Automated LED Wardrobe Light circuit is made in such a way, that when the wardrobe door is opened, the LED Lights automatically turn on and when the door is closed, the light automatically switches off.

Step 1: Parts Needed :

The following are the parts needed for making the Automated LED Wardrobe Light 


     Supplies :-

1.    1pcs High Power LED 1watt.
2.     Aluminium Heatsink.
3.    SPDT Switch.
4.     LM317.
5.     3.9 ohm Resistor.
6.     Circuit Board.
7.     Heatsink Compound.
8.     Heatshrink Sleeve.
9.     Glue.
10.   Wire.

Tools :-

1.       Hacksaw.
2.      Drill.
3.       Soldering Iron.
4.      Solder.
5.      Soldering Wax.

Step 2: The Circuit :

Place the LM317 and the 3.9ohm resistor on the circuit board and solder them according to the given schematic..... (Remember to place the components close to each other as this will make the circuit look compact). When the components are placed close, the leads of the components can be bent and soldered to each other, which will make the circuit look neat. Stick the SPDT Switch at the end of the circuit board that is closer to the LM317. Then solder the SPDT Switch also to the circuit according to the schematic.....  After having soldered your circuit board should look somewhat like the third image.

Since I have used a 1watt High Power LED without a star, hence I have soldered two wires to the LED and have used heatshrink sleeve as insulation.

Step 3: How Does the Circuit Work :

When the door of the wardrobe is closed, the door presses against the SPDT Switch. The SPDT Switch causes the circuit to be open, hence no current flows and the LED Light is tuned off.

When the wardrobe door is opened, the SPDT Switch is released, as a result the circuit is closed. Since now the circuit is closed, current flows to the LED Light and it is turned on.

The given diagrams will help in visualizing the explaination. 

Step 4: Fitting the Circuit :

I have fitted the circuit into a 9v Battery case. The case also doubles as the heatsink for my High Power LED. The case gives the entire device a compact look. Yes.... and there you have it.... your very own full Automated LED Light !!!!! Here are some of the pics.

Step 5: Test Results of the Automated LED Light :

The Automated LED Wardrobe Light is very bright and it illuminates the entire wardrobe.
The images that appear above do not seem to be bright but actually they are very bright.
In the attached video, I set my handicam on record mode inside the wardrobe and had the whole scene recorded from the time I closed the door until I opened it. I did this purposely, to show that the lights are fully automated and turn off only when the wardrobe door is closed and switches on when it is opened.  
If you have any difficulties in constructing it, please feel free to ask me.

GREAT!!!!! NOW GO AHEAD AND CONSTRUCT ONE YOURSELF!!!!! : )

Step 6: A Few Optional Modifications :

Here are some optional mods for the Automated LED Wardrobe Light :-

1.  You can use a battery as a power source or you can use current from a Cell Phone Charger or a DC wall wart.

2.  You can cover the High Power LED with a translucent bowl having some artistic glass paintings on it.

3.   Or you can also decorate the High Power LED by using a translucent yellow coloured brush whose bristles are wrapped with silver  coloured tape just as I have done in the above image. (refer to the second image).

4.  If your wardrobe has more depth, then you can fix the High Power LED at the centre of the wardrobe with a separate heatsink for better  visibility.