DIY portable LED strobe

Thursday 25 July 2013

DIY portable LED strobe






I and my friends like to have fun in summer. We like to fool around with music when we are camping. To make those parties more likely to professional ones I have made portable 9V LED strobe. For my surprise it really gives a big effect. I hope you will like it!


Step 1: Tools

Here is the list of tools you will (mostly) need:
1)marker;
2)ruller;
3)pliers;
4)screwdriver;
5)knife (or wood carving knife)
6)1, 3, 6 and 7mm drill bits;
7)drill stand or dremel tool;
8)sanding paper;
9)solder or soldering station;
10)lead solder;
11)flux.

Step 2: Schematic and PCB

This project is very simple but there isn't as much schematics on the internet as I thought it will be. But I'm happy because I found this one. It is really simple and cheap. All the parts (including the case) can be found at local radioshack just for a few dollars. And what is really cool that it can be done in one day!
The heart of this schematic is timer LM555. It generates square impulses which width is regulated by variable resistor or potentiometer (it really doesn't mater which will be used).
Light board can be made from as many LEDs as you want. Starting from 3 LEDs and increasing by 3 (for example it can be 3, 6, 9, 12. 15 and etc.). I have chosen 60 LEDs for brighter light
I have uploaded my schematic and PCB in Eagle and .pdf formats. My main board is really small. You can make it smaller if you use SMD parts but it's necessary. LED board is 87x57mm size (perfectly fits into my case).

Step 3: Parts

Bill of materials (BOM) for electronics can be found in .txt file that I have attached. All those parts will cost just few dollars. Maybe LEDs will cost more.

Of course you will need some parts for case assembly such as:
1)8xM3 screws;
2)two small screws for switch mounting;
3)4x10mm metal holder;
4)4x22mm metal holder;
5)case (I have used plastic 90x60x25mm).

Also there is 9V battery holder, some wire, DC jack, switch and variable resistor knob (I have shortened it because original was to long).

Step 4: Assembly

I forgot to take pictures of soldering part. But I think it is easy to understand from schematic and board layouts because there are just a few parts.
How you can see, I have connected switch just to battery holder. When switch is off but DC adapter is connected it still works.
Now when it is done with electronics it's time for casing!

Step 5: Casing

How you can see there were no holes and fittings in my case so I had to make them.
To hold case, LED's board and organic glass in place together I have made 3mm holes for screws and those metal holders. 10mm holders were used between organic glass and LED's PCB. And those 22mm length were used inside case for holding all the parts together.

Step 6: Finishing

While finishing the strobe I thought about LED's board. I should have painted it black or even chrome. But well I have made mistake which you can avoid. It still looks nice and shiny. That organic glass really does the job. It protects LEDs from scratching.
By the way. Power supply can be from 6 to 12 volts. I use 12V indoors. It flashes brighter. And for outdoors I use 9V battery which really easily fits in case. I am happy about this my project, it really works well.

P.S. If you decide to use bigger casing you can use Joulie thief to make LEDs flash brighter from battery.
P.S.S. If you want to make color light strobe you can use RGB LEDs or cut out various colors films and clip them to the organic glass.

I hope You enjoyed it for more projects click here

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