DIY Portable LED Panel

In this project I will show you how to create a powerful and robust 70W LED panel that can be powered by a Li-Ion or Li-Po battery pack. The control circuit can dim the pure white and warm white 5630 LED strips individually and does not cause any flicker problems due to the fast pulse frequency. Let's get started!

Step 1: Watch the Videos!

The two videos give you a basic understanding on how to create the portable LED panel. In the next steps though, I will give you additional information to make this project even simpler to recreate.

Step 2: Build the Frame!

The first video was all about the mechanical build of the LED panel. You can recreate my design by following the guidelines and measurements mentioned in the video. Feel free to also use the attached reference pictures of my panel. You will need the following materials to complete the mechanical build (affiliate links):

Ebay:
10m 5630 LED Strip (Germany): http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

10m 5630 LED Strip (Worldwide): http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

300x400x2mm Aluminum Plate (Germany): http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1000x1x2cm Aluminum Flat Bar (Germany): http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Aliexpress:

5m 5630 LED Strip Warm White: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dS1hSn5

5m 5630 LED Strip Pure White: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZEbPrh

Amazon.de:

5m 5630 LED Strip Warm White: http://amzn.to/2lnctgR

5m 5630 LED Strip Pure White: http://amzn.to/2lnmVoA

Hardware Store:

Screws & Nuts (as shown in the video), acrylic glass, aluminum plate, aluminum flat bars, handles

Step 3: Order the Electrical Components!

Here you can find a parts list with example sellers for the components that you will need for the dimmer circuit (affiliate links).

Ebay:

1x Buck/Boost Converter:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x XT60 Connector: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x Balance Connector:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x TLC555: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x TC4420 MOSFET Driver IC: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x IRLZ44N MOSFET: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

3x PCB Terminal: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x DC Jack: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

4x 47µF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 100nF, 2x 1nF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

4x 1N4148 Diode: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 50kΩ Potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 10Ω, 2x470Ω Resistor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x DPDT Switch: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x LiPo Voltage Tester: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Aliexpress:

1x Buck/Boost Converter: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6W5n99

1x XT60 Connector: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXCU92J

1x Balance Connector: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d8c7WnV

2x TLC555: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7luiWL

2x TC4420 MOSFET Driver IC: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX79Yx5

2x IRLZ44N MOSFET: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUNcszh

3x PCB Terminal: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTpgnlH

1x DC Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d8YrpaP

4x 47µF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYeKABl

2x 100nF, 2x 1nF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7mMhhV

4x 1N4148 Diode: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6Smyur

2x 50kΩ Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWsFRKr

2x 10Ω, 2x470Ω Resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTJpVx1

1x DPDT Switch: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVGjulZ

1x LiPo Voltage Tester: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWglTCj

Amazon.de:

1x Buck/Boost Converter: http://amzn.to/2n22NIW

1x XT60 Connector: http://amzn.to/2lbVsGx

1x Balance Connector: http://amzn.to/2n25lqB

2x TLC555: http://amzn.to/2gCxOTT

2x TC4420 MOSFET Driver IC: http://amzn.to/2n2byTi

2x IRLZ44N MOSFET: http://amzn.to/2hiGVqx

3x PCB Terminal: http://amzn.to/2lNNW4H

1x DC Jack: http://amzn.to/2kHaG8v

4x 47µF Capacitor:http://amzn.to/2n2kUyp

2x 100nF, 2x 1nF Capacitor: http://amzn.to/2hlE012

4x 1N4148 Diode: http://amzn.to/2eRqlNs

2x 50kΩ Potentiometer: http://amzn.to/2n2cd7e

2x 10Ω, 2x470Ω Resistor: http://amzn.to/2aAsWdV

1x DPDT Switch: http://amzn.to/2n2nd4s

1x LiPo Voltage Tester: http://amzn.to/2n29Cub

Step 4: Build the Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic of the control circuit as well as reference pictures of my circuit.

Step 5: Print the Enclosure!

Here you can download the design of my housing for123D Design. Import it with the software and export is as a STL file in order to slice it with your favorite 3D printing software.

Step 6: Success!

You did it! You just created your own portable LED panel!

Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[Steampunk Savant]

In the schematic for the LED brightness control board there are four 47 micro farad capacitors connected between VCC and GND whos functions are not clear. I know they are meant to stabilize voltage, but to which components? Are the two to the left meant to stabilize the input voltage directly from the DC jack/Buck Boost output, or are they for the 555 ICs? Likewise are the two to the right meant to stabilize the output into the LED’s or the input of the MOSFET controller ICs? Attached is a schematic that illustrates what I mean excluding the suggested IC connections.

[Steampunk Savant]

So after looking over the schematics and photos of the circuit very thoroughly I am almost absolutely certain they are bypass capacitors for the IC's.

[MaheshP85]

Can you upload a Gerber file of the circuit to make it easier to build for ur followers...?

[bwaldrip]

I created the schematic in Eagle software going by what was presented. The schematic presented is simplified by VCC, GND, and line reference breakouts on tc4420 (ic5p$1, ic5p$2, etc) which are not understood unless you were examining the authors schematic which you requested. The only way to figure it out without the original schematic is to use the bread board pins that the author presents in video 2 and remake it as a paper drawing. An alternative to drawing it out is to use Eagle to do auto route when making board.

[bwaldrip]

I am new to electronics and using Eagle software. Going by the schematic any reason that pin 7 on TLC555 is not connected and pins 3 and 7 on tc4420 are not connected? Also, if I wanted to use one potentiometer to control both grids will the 50k still work?

[pichinep]

Hi there... I've already have on my own two 5050 led strips. Can I use them with this circuit? or I have to change some components?

Thank you!

[rafununu]

Cool device. I made something similar with WW/CW on the same ribbon in 24V with an Arduino Nano, a pot for balancing (a real balance as in stereos) another for dimming. Here, there's no need for the drivers, the 555 can deliver far more than needed by the mosfet inputs. There's nomore need for the converter, the 555 can work up to 15V. eventually a small regulator could be add to stabilize fequencies, even if this is not important, only cyclic ratio counts and it doesn't depend on the voltage stability.

[qak1]

Hello!

I'm looking for exactly same solution! Can you be more specific about circuit design please?

[RaD0]

Nice! But would be nice to make one more lesson only about dimmers.

[AmperTrim]

Hi, why did you use a mosfet driver instead of connecting the mosfet directly to the IC555?

[SnowdogJJJ]

Wow, I have a lot to learn

[ljhopkins]

sugestion use rubber gromets in the hole you drilled for the wires.

[RANDOM KNOWLEDGE]

Or just like this scotty!!!

what do you think Teacher Scott.gr from a long time subscriber from holland, your neighbour.

WannaDuino

[Preston35]

I didn't see the username at first but when I read "Let's get started!" I immediately knew who it was! I love your videos and instructables, keep up the good work!!

[rmrebob]

Great project.! I have built several of your battery packs for other projects. They work very well. I would like to build this one. Could you please make available the .STL files to save me the trouble of re-designing the enclosure?

[ДмитрийН21]

Thank you for sharing your project.

You've used buck/boost converter with the maximum output current of 5A, while the maximum circuit current is slightly higher and reaches 6A.

So I have a question regarding the converter. Is the maximum current specified for the maximum working voltage of 35V, or it does not depends on voltage and you use it with overload?

[4DIYers]

Very clean work and awesome project!

[Yonatan24]

Just wondering - how much does it weigh?

[GreatScottLab]

2.9Kg

[Yonatan24]

Sounds reasonable considering it has 2 handles.

Was there a specific reason for why you chose LED strips, and not something like those 10-100W COB chips? Because with LED strips it can be flat, unlike a huge heatsink that would be needed for a big COB chip?

Awesome project!