Introduction: The LED Illuminated Photo Frame Fridge Magnet
The LED illuminated photo frame fridge magnet is a very simple, but useful gadget.
It only requires some basic soldering skills and some very basic electronic knowledge.
Take a picture of someone you like and mount it in this picture frame. Then mount the picture frame on your fridge and you'll gain a lot of attention.
The LED illuminated photo frame fridge magnet is made of a mini DV tape container, so it's green.
Step 1: Get the Parts
Here is a list of the parts you'll need to make this gadget.
An empty mini DV tape container.
6 diffused white LEDs (I used diffused LEDs to avoid light dots on the picture).
2 AAA (LR03) batteries.
The picture you wanna use. (in step 2, I'll show you how to print a picture in the right size)
A small switch (optional)
The diffusion sheet from a LCD screen (can be removed from any LCD or TFT screen, even cell phones) (optional)
A weird sheet from a LCD or TFT screen (I don't know what this is called, but it is in almost every LCD or TFT screen) (optional)
Step 2: How to Print Pictures in the Right Size Using ACDSee
In this step I'll show you how to print pictures in the right size, when you use ACDSee. Move your mouse over the yellow boxes to view instructions.
Step 3: Solder the LEDs Together
Solder the LEDs together and solder some wires onto the LEDs. Move your mouse over the yellow boxes to view instructions.
Step 4: Add the LEDs to the Tape Container
Now you've made the pairs of LEDs. Now it's time to mount the LEDs in the tape container. Move your mouse over the yellow boxes to view instructions.
Step 5: Mount the Picture in the Frame
Now mount the picture in the frame. This is simply done by using ordinary tape. Move your mouse over the yellow boxes to view instructions.
Step 6: Mount the Batteries and the Switch
It's time to mount the batteries and the switch in the photo frame. Move your mouse over the yellow boxes to view instructions.
Step 7: Mount the Magnet
It's time to mount the Neodymium (NdFeB) magnet to the photo frame. This is simply done by gluing it onto the tape container, using a hot glue gun. (don't heat the magnet too much with the hot glue gun, cause if you do, it may loose it's magnetism).
Step 8: The Sheets From the LCD or TFT Screen (optional)
You can mount the 2 sheets from a LCD or TFT screen in front of the LEDs, to reduce the shadow of the batteries.
Step 9: More Pictures
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12 Comments
13 years ago on Step 9
can u plsss tell this other invention of urspls explain it in detail tooo..nice post by u
Reply 13 years ago on Step 9
What do you mean?
14 years ago on Introduction
Very Nicely done AI. 5/5 Stars.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks.
14 years ago on Introduction
Actually, I don't know much about computer games, because I don't play them. Why don't you make a forum topic about this instead of posting it in an Instructable.
14 years ago on Introduction
Wow, that's pretty cool! Thanks for adding it to the group. 5/5 stars!
14 years ago on Introduction
Sweet! I want to do this because the Instructables Robot just looks so cool. Nice job, 5/5 stars!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks.
14 years ago on Introduction
Looks great - must be really bright though, with six LEDs blazing! Couldn't you just with a single LED?
Two design improvements, that just came to me:
1) You might be able to make a simple switch by letting the magnet slide around a little bit inside the case. That way you could turn the LEDs off or on by sliding the case up or down on the fridge.
2) Ok, somebody needs to say it... you really need a current limiting resistor (or six) in series with your LEDs. Otherwise one of the LEDs will always get far more current than the others and burn through much faster.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
The LEDs require 3 - 3,4 volts and the batteries give out 3 Volts. I've measured the Ampere flow to the LEDs and it's just perfect. The LEDs draws the ampere they need. I don't think that one LED would distribute the light to illuminate the whole picture. It's not as bright as it may sound like, because I used diffused LEDs. I like the switch idea. I think I'll add that. Thanks.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
What happens if your LED leads get a little too close and arc over causing a short? 3V // 0V!!! I still like this thing though!
14 years ago on Introduction
Nice good job