Introduction: How to Make Laptop USB Light Mini
I have an old damaged flash drive that I don't want to throw away, what can I do with it?
Thinking about the nights my girlfriend was bothered when I had to work at bed with lights on, I decided to bring it to life as a Laptop light. Then here is what I did,
How to make a laptop USB Light from reused materials.
Features:
- With LED socket (For easy replacement for any LED)
- Small, very portable
- Custom angle adjustment
- Very cheap, since most materials are reused (it won't cost more than $2)
Links:
- Flickr Gallery
Step 1: Tools and Materials
Tools:
- Rotary tool
- Hot glue gun
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Cutting pliers
- Wire strippers
- Torch
- Multimeter (for testing voltage and circuit continuity)
Materials:
- Old Memory USB
- Rigid copper wire (12 AWG)
- Heat shrink wrap
- Ethernet wire sheathing
- Wire
- 2-pin connector
- LED
- resistor (220 Ohm)
- Plastic cylinder (optional, you can find it on any old plug)
Step 2: Preparing USB Memory
- Cut leaving a centimeter of the board (Photo1)
- Remove board components (Photo 2)
- Round the edges (Photo 3)
Step 3: Socket Building
- Make a slot at the edge of the board, the same diameter of the copper wire.
Step 4: Checking Connections to Prevent Short Circuit
WARNING : This is the most important step, because this will prevent damages to the laptop.
Confirm that all pins are free and are not connected between them. Please see the diagram and photo below which shows the five pins to test.
Use the multimeter and if test fails, go back to step two.
Step 5: Building the LED Socket
- Insert the LED connector into the ethernet wire sheathing
- Insert the rigid copper wire into the ethernet wire sheathing
- Peel the rigid copper wire at its base
See photos for details
Step 6: Soldering to USB Base
- Fold copper wire as shown on the photos
- Solder copper wire to the USB base as show on photos
Warning: :Confirm that all pins are free and are not connected between them.
Step 7: Connecting LED and Resistor
- Connect LED black wire to resistor (see photos)
- Connect resistor to GND (See diagram in step x)
- Connect LED red wire to VCC (See diagram in step x)
Step 8: Hot Glue Gun
- Cover the base with the hot glue gun
- Cover the resistor with the hot glue gun
- Insert platic cylinder recovering the LED socket
Step 9: Heat Shrink Wrap
- Insert the heat shrink wrap over ethernet wire sheathing
- Use torch to heat the shrink wrap
- Insert the heat shrink wrap over USB base
- Heat again.
Step 10: Finished
Participated in the
Joby Transform It! Challenge
22 Comments
13 years ago on Introduction
I have the same problem, I often take my laptop to bed to do a bit of work beofre going to sleep, my wife keeps complaining .... you know the story ;-)
I came up with a similar solution, mind you, the cable I used was way longer. your solution is much, much better !!
Elegant, compact and very practical. Well done sir
7 years ago
the lights on a long wire just fall down ,i have one that shines on keys except when i type with both hands my hands block the light .if i put the light above screen i look right into it.i;d like to light up the keys.
7 years ago
i think you could use a usb charger cord too
8 years ago on Introduction
http://www.amazon.com/Yitee%C2%AE-Keychain-Electrodeless-Dimming-Keyboard/dp/B00QX9BO8O/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A2PSUUIEB0MTI1
9 years ago
its cute!
11 years ago on Introduction
Fantastic, I'm making a few of these this weekend. I've needed them for a while but have been too lazy to find a cheap place to buy them.
One thing I have on my prototype right now is a light guard to prevent the LED from shining light into the user's eyes. Right now, plugging it in lights up the keyboard well, but the LED is blinding. I suppose I could just coat one side of the LED in something opaque, or even reflective.
If the LED socket was longer, you could just cut the underside away to expose the LED while the top side would block extra light.
11 years ago on Introduction
Very cool...
However, my MBP has a backlit keyboard.
But seriously... very cool.
11 years ago on Step 10
for better keeping of LED-light form you can solder paper-clip to USB-connector and put it alongside of wires, then put on the heat-shrink tube and to heat it by cigarette-lighter
11 years ago on Introduction
this is very good. . i will try to make it at home. Great.
11 years ago on Introduction
good man
nesaeya.com
12 years ago on Introduction
Sorry if someone has already told you this but, it's called a rotary tool. Great project. my laptop has stacked ports on both sides so i made two so that each side of the keyboard is illuminated.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks a lot! I'll change it now, english its not my mother language :)
12 years ago on Step 10
clear instructions,well done! Dude
13 years ago on Introduction
So pretty light for a netbook! I may do one.
13 years ago on Step 3
very small,... With the right tool
13 years ago on Introduction
Good Idea,.. congratulations
13 years ago on Introduction
Simple and well executed! Nice job!
13 years ago on Introduction
Nice job.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!!, it's my first instructable
13 years ago on Introduction
Elegant!