How to make a lamp from LEDs with your own hands? How to make a lamp from an LED strip with your own hands DIY LED designs.

Quite often you can see lighting with LEDs in rooms. This is due to the fact that LEDs have excellent lighting characteristics and are also energy-saving of their kind. Currently, lamps made from LED strip made by hand. The cost of such devices is finished form quite high, so some consumers want to make such a product themselves.

In this article:

LED strip

The LED strip looks like a rubberized board. At the same time, it is quite flexible. This is where the LEDs are located. Thanks to the convenient design, it will not be difficult to make a lamp from an LED strip with your own hands. Then you can install the finished product anywhere.

The tape is designed in such a way that it is possible to divide it into pieces of the required size. In addition, the strip has a self-adhesive layer, due to which it can be installed anywhere.

Manufacturers offer various options When it comes to installing LEDs, they will differ in the direction and power of the luminous flux.

A homemade LED strip lamp can be made from different formats. It is only important to follow the assembly recommendations, taking into account the features of the tape.

You should know that such lamps, as a rule, act as additional sources of lighting. As the main one, a slightly different format of the chandelier is needed. LEDs are perfect for illuminating cabinets, desks and similar furniture items.

Strips of LEDs with different characteristics can be used almost anywhere where there is a need for artificial lighting. A lot can be said about the advantages of LEDs over a conventional lamp. First of all, it is necessary to highlight the main characteristics:

• efficiency;
• long period of operation;
• variety in color combinations;
• raw materials are available to consumers.

Materials for the lamp

The tape has quite high flexibility, due to this the product can be made in a wide variety of formats. But at the same time there will be general principles assembled for lamps of any model.

First of all, you will need to prepare all the materials that will be involved in the assembly. This necessary condition so that the end result is of high quality and pleases the owners of the home.

You will need to prepare the following materials:

• directly LED strip with the necessary LED parameters;
• screws;
• aluminum corner, which can be replaced with a plastic box;
• switch.

It is also worth taking care of the tools:

• drills;
• pencil with ruler;
• electric jigsaw;
• pliers.

When all the required materials and tools are ready, you can begin to assemble the future product.

Installation process

There are a considerable number of variations on how you can make a lamp using LED strip.

The specific option will be determined only by what kind of device you want to see in the end. They are presented in the following varieties:

• horizontal;
• vertical;
• with legs.

Most of the steps required during the assembly process will not be affected by variations in the final device. This is why they will be the same.

Assembly will occur in stages:

• First of all, you will need to measure the length of the angle;
• then the required hole is drilled in it, thanks to which the product will be fixed to the selected surface with screws;
• the corner must be secured in the selected area;
• in the place where the hole is made, you will need to install a switch, and in the place where there is a cut, you need to solder the wires;
• the tape should be treated with acetone so that its surface becomes grease-free;
• The tape itself is attached directly to the corner.

To do everything smoothly, it is better to glue it lightly at first, and only after making sure that everything is done smoothly, level it over the entire surface.

• after this you will need to connect all the wires; as a rule, the power for such devices is chosen at 12 V.

Thus, the output will be a lighting device that can be installed horizontally. Great option to install lighting on the work surface in the kitchen. In addition, such lamps are in demand in other rooms, for example, in the nursery. It is very convenient to place them on dedicated shelves.

As an additional light source, the option with an LED lamp is optimal. Because it can be used as a backlight and will not irritate the eyes. Moreover, doing it on your own will not be difficult.

According to statistics, it was revealed that the cost of LED lamps has decreased significantly. Such indicators have entailed an increase in the purchase of highly economical lighting products for private houses and apartments. Those who are excellent with a soldering iron will not need to go to the store at all in order to furnish their home, since they can create a lamp with their own hands, without resorting to factory products. This way you can save a large amount money and choose a device design that will suit the interior of the apartment.

LED lamp circuit.

LEDs have the peculiarity of operating in constant current mode and low voltage. Therefore, devices such as power supplies are mainly used to carry out the lighting process. Some solder electrical circuits on boards themselves, which is not so easy, especially for those who are not familiar with this field of activity.

Creating a lamp with your own hands, a lamp or any other lighting fixture, you need to take into account the fact that one third of such a unit as the rated power will be spent on converting the light flux, while the remaining parts are needed for heat losses.

It is important to remember that if the LEDs overheat, the lifespan may be reduced. When assembling any LED structure yourself, provisions must be made to remove heat from the entire structure during power supply.

What LEDs should you use?

Table of LED types.

Initially, it is advisable to select the specific type of LEDs that will be required. If we consider powerful and low-power ones, then the first type is much more profitable, due to the fact that the labor intensity is higher. The ratio of low-power to high-power is 20:1. Based on these indicators, we can conclude that with low-power LEDs there is much more soldering to be done. Among high-power LEDs, there are a couple of varieties, some of which are intended for output installation work, and others for surface installation. In most cases, output terminals are used, since with them installation work carried out much faster.

Power supplies

For longevity of LEDs, you need an excellent driver, otherwise it can be called a power supply. The driver can be packaged or uncased, with or without galvanic isolation. If we are considering the modification of lamps, then it is advisable to use a type of open-frame driver in which there is galvanic isolation.

The uncased type is very useful because it is compact in size and also produces less heat. But there are also certain disadvantages, which manifest themselves in the difficulty of fastening.

The use of galvanic isolation is generally required for safety reasons, since electric shock can be avoided. In the absence of such technology, some receive minimal electrical shocks.

Electrical circuit of an LED lamp.

When choosing drivers, it is advisable to pay attention to indicating the minimum and maximum number of LEDs that can be connected to the connection. If such data is missing, then it is worth looking at the output voltage indicators of the power supply.

The power source can be of two types, one of which consists of an electromagnetic interference filter, and the second, accordingly, does not have it. Devices that do not have filters to a greater extent interfere with electromagnetic waves and conduct frequencies to receivers.

Using a Heat Sink for LEDs

In order to use the LED successfully and for a long time, it is worth using radiators, since they are just as important components of the process as power supplies. The radiator must be made exclusively of aluminum. Finding such material is very simple, since every person has old dishes made of aluminum. In order to be able to dissipate heat from the LED, it is the size of the area that needs to be taken into account, not the thickness. It is worth noting that computer coolers have fans installed, since without such a device the heat from the LED will be removed at a minimum speed.

The process of making a lamp with your own hands

Before you start developing a lamp yourself, it is advisable to prepare all the necessary tools. In particular, it is advisable to acquire:

Lamp body diagram.

• basic and spare LEDs;
• microtransformer;
• multimeter;
• red LED lights;
• 100 Ohm resistor;
• 400 µF and 10 µF capacitor;
• cartridge;
• degreaser;
• soldering iron;
• assembly adhesive;
• board;
• lampshade.

Initially, it is advisable to check each LED that will be included in the circuit and the quality of the supply voltage in the network cable. To carry out such a process, it is worth using a microtransformer. Thus, when setting up and testing the future lighting device, the adjustment will be much smoother.

In order to measure whether the voltage drops when a constant current is applied and the resistor is applied or not, a multimeter is used to accurately calculate the current of the diodes. As a rule, when self-assembly They try to use six-volt lamps, but often those designed for 12 volts may also be needed.

The diodes themselves must be of high quality so that you can avoid an unpleasant bluish glow, which will not only spoil appearance lamp, but will also harm your eyes.

Connection diagram of LED parts to the lamp body.

The assembly scheme can be called very simple and without loss for the driver. The only drawback is the lack of insulation on the wires, that is, the LED lamp itself can be subject to electric shocks. Based on the latest data, it is worth considering that it is advisable to protect the lamp from falling, but subsequently the circuit can be upgraded.

1. Resistors are needed to protect the board when connected to the network to avoid voltage surges. In case of its absence, it is advisable to use a tiny rectifier bridge.
2. The use of a 400 µF capacitor is required in order to set the energy at the desired level, which is required to transfer and additionally add lamps, with free bandwidth. Before work, it is advisable to make sure that the type of rated voltage is being used, which, as a rule, is half the normal current in the network.
3. The use of a 10 µF capacitor is necessary to create an ideal light source, as well as to eliminate such consequences as glare and flickering. The height of the rated voltage in this case should be twice as high as the previous capacitor.

If it is not possible to purchase a new socket, it can be removed from the old lamp. To do this, you need to carefully break the light bulb, and so that the socket part of the socket is not damaged. After this procedure, the cartridge itself should be protected and treated with a degreaser. It is important that before installation, the hole in the socket is checked again for the presence of lamp residues that could harm the future lighting system, and it is advisable to carry out additional treatment with acetone or alcohol.

Attaching the cartridge to the resistor and transistor

Next comes the soldering work. A tiny rectifier is installed using a soldering iron, and the materials must be prepared in advance and at hand. The surface is processed in a mandatory manner, and the actions themselves must be as precise and careful as possible in order to avoid damage to already installed parts.

In order to carry out heat shrinkage, any type of mounting adhesive, since the material must be intended for carrying out such actions, and in no case for clerical purposes.

Installing LED lamps is considered the most important and interesting point in the entire lamp assembly. The basis will be a board purchased in advance or prepared from old appliances. If it belonged to old structures, then, accordingly, the board should be cleaned of parts and various burrs.

When wiring and connecting each contact, they should be checked and cleaned if the signal is not received. There is very little left - and the lamp will be able to please its creator. In order to complete the work, you simply need to collect all the parts that are available. To be more precise, each part is soldered to the plate and to the resistor device. Next, everything is insulated with glue, the connections between the diodes are checked for proper light distribution.

In order to make the interior of an apartment, country house or office cozier and more comfortable, it is necessary to periodically change the lighting system. It is not necessary to spend money on this; you can use materials that are used in Everyday life. Every twig, jar and some wooden products can be used in making lamps with your own hands.

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What materials are best used to make a lamp?

The main element of any lamp is the lamp. It is better to use LED lamps, as they do not emit heat.

To give a second life to lamps, you can use:

• yarn;
• bottles;
• paper;
• rope;
• a thread;
• LED strip;
• phytodiode;
• banks.

These materials make original and presentable lighting fixtures.

Photo gallery

Below are samples of products made from scrap materials.

Wine bottle sconce Lamp made from branches

LED strip lamp

Before you start upgrading or manufacturing a lamp from LED strip, you need to study the properties of LEDs:

1. They dazzle the human eye, so they should be mounted under frosted glass or in niches.
2. The location for installing the controller and power supply of the tape is selected in advance during the project. These elements are necessary to maintain the performance of LEDs.
3. The tape is based on adhesive double-sided tape, which allows it to be securely attached to the installation site.
4. When assembling the chandelier, care must be taken as the tape can be easily damaged.

What you will need

To assemble and upgrade the lamp with your own hands, you need to prepare the following materials:

1. We purchase LED strip of the required length.
2. Select the power supply and controller.
3. For assembly it is necessary to use stranded wires with a cross-section of 1 mm2.
4. Glue gun and hand tools.

Step-by-step instruction

The modernization will be carried out on the basis of a fluorescent lamp consisting of four lamps for suspended ceilings in the following order:

1. Dismantling in progress attachments lamp
2. Installation of LED strip, controller and power supply.
3. Installation of frosted glass and ceiling mounting.

The Thomas Superleds channel demonstrates the modernization of the Armstrong lamp.

Photo gallery

Below are pictures of assembling the lamps step by step.

Phytodiodes connection diagram

Channel GrowByLEDs com presents detailed manufacturing lamp for seedlings made of phytodiodes.

Photo gallery

Installing phytodiodes on a cooling radiator Assembling the lamp frame

How to make a paper pendant lamp

In order to add brightness to your interior design, you can make a beautiful and unusual paper lamp.

It should be taken into account that only LED lamps must be used, since paper lamps tend to ignite when heated.

What you will need

You can use an old chandelier to make a paper chandelier.

The following tools and materials must be used:

• parchment paper;
• PVA glue;
• thin thread and wire;
• scissors;
• cartridge E27 and light bulb;
• sewing machine.

Step-by-step instruction

The assembly proceeds as follows:

1. We remove the frame from the old chandelier and clear it of jewelry.
2. Iron the parchment paper and cut into circles with a diameter of 8 cm.
3. All cut circles should be sewn together using a sewing machine.
4. It is necessary to connect in the central part of the circle.
5. We attach the sewn circles to the frame of the chandelier using wire.

After assembling all the elements, you need to screw in the LED lamp and install the chandelier in place.

The principle of making a lamp from paper can be seen in the video from the Roman Tkachev channel.

Photo gallery

To modify the paper lamp, fairly simple tools were used, which are shown below.

Frame of an old chandelier Stitching round pieces Installation of stitched elements on the frame Installation and connection of an updated chandelier

Wood lamp

Making a lamp from wood requires the ability to work with wood material.

This lamp can be used:

• in the kitchen;
• in the bath;
• in the cafe.

What you will need

To create a lamp from wood, you need to prepare the following materials:

• wood;
• LED Strip Light;
• jigsaw;
• epoxy resin;
• wires.

Step-by-step instruction

The assembly algorithm is presented as follows:

1. It is necessary to cut a block measuring 100*100*100 mm, in which you need to make a groove with a jigsaw for the LED strip.
2. Connect the tape and fill the groove epoxy resin and let dry.
3. After the glue has dried, it is necessary to sand the surface of the lamp with fine sandpaper.

The principle of making a lamp from wood is shown in the video from the channel Anton Veligorsky.

Photo gallery

Making a slot for an LED strip in a workpiece Connecting a wooden lamp

Making a lamp from branches

A lamp from branches can be made after a trip to the forest, collecting branches and cones. To create such a lighting device you need to use a minimum set of materials. This original lamp can be hung on the wall.

What you will need

To make a lamp from branches you will need the following components:

• branches and cones;
• glue gun;
• wire with lamp socket;
• old vase.

Step-by-step instruction

Before assembling the lamp, it is necessary to dry the branches. Then clean the vase with coarse sandpaper and degrease for better gluing.

Assembly is carried out in the following order:

1. Cut branches of approximately the same length.
2. It is necessary to glue the seedling to the vase at a distance of 5 mm between the branches.
3. Glue the cones and shoots on top of the branches.
4. We install and connect the wire with the lamp.

The Light You channel shows how to make a lamp from branches with your own hands.

Photo gallery

Network connection Gluing branches to a vase

Interesting lamp made from rope and glue

To decorate your kitchen, you can make a lamp from waxed rope and glue. Manufacturing will not take more than an hour. It is recommended to hang several balls to fit into the interior.

What you will need

To create a rope lamp you will need the following tools and materials:

• Balloon;
• rope;
• PVA glue;
• glue gun;
• marker.

Step-by-step instruction

The build logic is presented in the following order:

1. Inflate the balloon to the desired size.
2. At the bottom of the ball we draw a circle of 10 cm to diffuse the light.
3. Pour glue into the container and soak the rope.
4. Wind the rope evenly around the ball.
5. Once the thread has dried, we pierce the ball with a needle.
6. Using a glue gun, glue the socket with the lamp to the ball of rope.
7. We install it at the installation site.

The Do it yourself channel shows step by step assembly rope lamp

Photo gallery

Winding up the rope Leave to dry Piercing the ball Installation of a finished lamp

Lamp for the children's room “The sun behind the cloud”

In a children's room, in addition to the main lighting, there should be additional lighting. As an additional option, you can make a “Sun Behind a Cloud” lamp. For manufacturing you will need a minimum set of materials.

What you will need

To create a lamp you will need the following materials:

• piece of fiberboard 30*50 cm;
• scissors;
• jigsaw;
• heat gun;
• two metal brackets for the cartridge.

Step-by-step instruction

When working on assembling a lighting fixture, you should follow the following order:

1. Cut out a sky template from paper.
2. We attach the template to fiberboard sheet and cut it out.
3. Install the cartridge mounting brackets.
4. We mount the cartridge together with the supply wire.
5. We fix the sky template from fiberboard and decorate it.

Discussed below detailed assembly lamp in the children's room in the video from the Pavel Zhidovkin channel.

Photo gallery

The assembly diagram for the “Sun Behind a Cloud” lighting device is presented below.

Paper template Sky cut from fiberboard Installing the chuck Connecting the lamp to the network

How to make a portable lamp from a spotlight

A spotlight can be used not only in plasterboard structures, but also for homemade projects. In a garage or country house there is a need for portable spotlights.

What you will need

To create a portable lamp you will need the following components:

• spotlight;
• internal socket;
• cord 10 meters long;
• a piece of 110th sewer plastic pipe;
• scraps of small tin;
• aluminum rivets;
• lampshade;
• construction profile.

Step-by-step instruction

The luminaire is installed in the following mode:

1. We disassemble the spotlight and rotate the socket 180 degrees.
2. We install a socket at the bottom of the soffit.
3. We close the contact part in front with a lid, and in the back with a sewer pipe.
4. We cut out the required structure from the tin and install it to the soffit using rivets.
5. We connect the cord to the cartridge and use the carrier.

Photo gallery

Installing a chuck with a switch Mounting the socket at the bottom Making a lamp protection template Lamp protection Disassembly spotlight Installing lamp protection

Table lamp made of threads and balls

The ball and string lamp is one of the most popular homemade lighting fixtures. The basis is a regular thread. The ball can be made in literally 1 hour.

What you will need

The following set of components must be available when creating a lamp from threads:

• Balloon;
• PVA glue;
• needle;
• cartridge E27;
• power cord for connection.

Step-by-step instruction

To create a lighting fixture from threads, you need to consider the assembly option.

Let's look at how to make an LED lamp with your own hands. Basic materials and elements for self-made LED lamps are presented:

• output type LEDs;
• power source in the form of a current driver without a housing with galvanic isolation;
• aluminum, heat-dissipating radiator in the form of a U-shaped building profile;
• thermally conductive double-sided tape.

It is advisable to use it as a body metal structure, since semiconductors, represented by diodes, are exposed to electric current can heat up significantly.

It is best to use a 12W LED diode driver with an input voltage level of 100-240V and an output voltage of 18-46V.

The main stages of making an LED lamp yourself are as follows:

• insert a resistor and a pair of capacitors into the base;
• solder a small rectifier;
• treat the surface;
• create an insulating layer using a polymer tube;
• inspect the LED contacts and check their functionality;
• assemble the structure by soldering the boards onto the capacitor;
• perform final insulation with adhesive;
• check the diode connection;
• solder the capacitor and resistor.

At the final stage, all contacts are insulated with adhesive. A lighting structure that is completely ready for use can be left in its original state or covered with a lampshade, which will significantly soften the glow of the lamp.

For self-creation a powerful diode lamp based on several dozen LEDs at once will need to carry out the activities presented:

• determining the number of diodes;
• determination of rated power;
• connecting LEDs to the negative contact of the diode bridge;
• soldering all diodes “plus to minus”;
• combining all groups with wires;
• adding a diode bridge.

The positive terminal is connected to the positive wire on the first group, and the negative terminal is connected to the common wire on the last diode of the group. Then the base part is prepared, and the wires are soldered to the AC voltage inputs of the diode bridge.

1. LEDs: purpose, device and principle of operation
2. Assembly of luminaires in a housing with LED strips
3. Lamps made from energy-saving lamps
4. Video

IN modern conditions The cost of electricity is constantly increasing, so LED light sources are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. They perfectly replace natural light and save money. However, a significant disadvantage of these lighting devices is their high cost.

The popularity of LED lamps is so high that craftsmen have not ignored it. On the Internet today you can find a huge number of diagrams with which you can answer the question of how to make an LED lamp with your own hands? And as practice has shown, the simplest option of all is to use an LED strip in the lamp.

Of course, the tape is most often used for decorative lighting, but if you correctly calculate the brightness of the lighting and the number of LEDs, then you can make a good lamp for zone lighting from it. For example, for the desktop. Therefore, we will consider one of the options, which seemed not very difficult to us.

DIY LED lamp circuit

To do this you will need a faulty fluorescent light fixture. As practice shows, most often the electronic ballast, or in short the electronic ballast, fails. So, constantly changing electronic ballasts for a new one won’t save you money. Therefore, from this light source you can easily make a lamp on an LED strip.

Four types of LED devices

LEDs are semiconductor electronic devices that emit light as a result of the passage of electric current. Appearing 15 years ago, home appliances literally immediately conquered the light source market. Today you can buy LED lamps of any shape, size, power and color. But you can also make them yourself, which even an inexperienced radio amateur can do.

Before we start making an LED lamp with our own hands, let’s consider its design and operating principle. A diode is a semiconductor device that passes current through p-n junction only in one direction. As a result of the release of energy during the recombination of electrons and holes, photons are emitted with the release of light and thermal energy.

The simplest heatsink is an aluminum substrate on which the LEDs are located, but such heat removal will not be enough if the device is assembled on 3 or more semiconductors. Special metal radiators are installed in such lamps. In indoor appliances it is replaced by the body of the light bulb.

Economical option You can make an LED lamp with your own hands using a burnt-out lamp. To do this, it is necessary to carefully disassemble the burnt-out lamp without damaging the base and clean and degrease it. In the base we place a protective resistor of 100 Ohms and two capacitors of 220 nF each, the operating voltage of which is 400 V, a capacitor of 10 μF, which is responsible for the absence of flicker , rectifier (diode bridge) and LEDs in a ratio of 1 (red) to 3 (white). We connect the components of the circuit by soldering and insulate them with mounting adhesive, filling the entire space of the base between the parts of the circuit and securing them.

In addition to a regular lamp, a halogen lamp is used to create an LED lamp with your own hands.

Halogen lamp

To assemble a lamp using a halogen lamp, the following components are required:

• assembly diagram, which you can draw up yourself or take from the Internet;
• LEDs;
• non-working halogen lamp;
• quick-drying glue;
• copper wire;
• soldering iron and solder;
• aluminum substrate 0.2 mm thick, which will replace the radiator;
• resistors;
• hole puncher.

Let's look at the step-by-step creation of a 220 V light source from an LED strip. To decide to use an innovation in the kitchen, it is enough to remember that LED lamps assembled by yourself are significantly more profitable than their fluorescent counterparts. They live 10 times longer and consume 2–3 times less energy at the same lighting level.

1. For construction you will need two burnt out fluorescent lamps half a meter long and 13 watts in power. There is no point in buying new ones; it is better to find old ones that are not working, but not broken and without cracks.
2. Next, we go to the store and buy an LED strip. There is a large selection, so please purchase responsibly. It is advisable to buy tapes with pure white or natural light; it does not change the shades of surrounding objects. In such strips, LEDs are collected in groups of 3 pieces. The voltage of one group is 12 volts, and the power is 14 watts per meter strip.
   
3. Then you need to disassemble the fluorescent lamps into their component parts. Carefully! Do not damage the wires or break the tube, otherwise toxic fumes will escape and you will have to clean up, like after a broken mercury thermometer. Do not throw away the removed entrails; they will be useful in the future.
   Below is a diagram of the LED strip we purchased. In it, LEDs are connected in parallel, 3 pieces in a group. Please note that this scheme does not suit us.
   Below is a diagram of the LED strip we purchased. In it, LEDs are connected in parallel, 3 pieces in a group. Please note that this scheme does not suit us.
4. Therefore, you need to cut the tape into sections of 3 diodes each and get expensive and useless converters. It is more convenient to cut the tape with wire cutters or large and strong scissors. After soldering the wires, you should get the diagram below.
   The result should be 66 LEDs or 22 groups of 3 LEDs each, connected in parallel along the entire length. The calculations are simple. Since we need to transform alternating current V constant, then the standard voltage is 220 Volts electrical network needs to be increased to 250. The need to “throw on” the voltage is associated with the straightening process.
5. To find out the number of LED sections, you need to divide 250 Volts by 12 Volts (voltage for one group of 3 pieces). As a result, we get 20.8(3), rounding up, we get 21 groups. Here it is advisable to add another group, since the total number of LEDs will have to be divided into 2 lamps, and for this you need an even number. In addition, adding one more section, we will make general scheme safer.
   
6. We will need a DC rectifier, which is why we cannot throw away the removed insides of the fluorescent lamp. To do this, we take out the converter and, using wire cutters, remove the capacitor from the common circuit. This is quite simple to do, since it is located separately from the diodes, you just need to break off the board.
   The diagram shows what the end result should be, in more detail.
   The diagram shows what the end result should be, in more detail.
7. Next, using soldering and superglue, you need to assemble the entire structure. Don't even try to fit all 22 sections into one lamp. It was said above that you need to specifically find 2 half-meter lamps, since it is simply impossible to place all the LEDs in one. Also, you don’t need to rely on a self-adhesive layer on back side tapes. It will not last long, so the LEDs need to be secured with superglue or liquid nails.
   

Let's summarize and find out the advantages of the assembled product:

• The amount of light from the resulting LED lamps is 1.5 times greater than that of their fluorescent counterparts.
• The power consumption is much less than that of fluorescent lamps.
• The assembled light source will last 5–10 times longer.
• Finally, the last advantage is the direction of light. It does not dissipate and is directed straight down, so it is used near the desktop or in the kitchen.

Of course, the emitted light is not very bright, but the main advantage is the low power consumption of the lamp. Even if you turn it on and never turn it off, it will consume only 4 kW of energy in a year. At the same time, the cost of electricity consumed per year is comparable to the cost of a ticket on a city bus. Therefore, such light sources are especially effective to use where constant illumination is required (corridor, street, utility room).

Let's look at another way to create an LED lamp. A chandelier or table lamp needs a standard E14 or E27 base. Accordingly, the circuit and diodes used will differ. Compact fluorescent lamps are now widely used. We will need one burnt-out cartridge, and we will also change the general list of materials for assembly.

You will need:

• burnt out E27 base;
• driver RLD2-1;
• NK6 LEDs;
• a piece of cardboard, but better - plastic;
• Super glue;
• electrical wiring;
• as well as scissors, soldering iron, pliers and other tools.

Let's start creating a homemade lamp:

1. First you need to disassemble the old lamp. In compact fluorescent lamps, the base is attached to the plate with tubes using latches. If you find places with latches and pry them off with a screwdriver, the base will come off quite easily. When disassembling you need to be careful not to damage the tubes. If they burst, the toxic substances contained in them will come out. When opening, make sure that the electrical wiring leading to the base remains intact. Also, do not throw away the contents of the base.
   
2. From the upper part with gas-discharge tubes you need to make a plate to which the LEDs will be attached. To do this, disconnect the light bulb tubes. The remaining plate has 6 holes. In order for the LEDs to be securely attached to it, you need to make a plastic or cardboard “bottom”, which will also insulate the LEDs. We will use NK6 LEDs (photo below). Their advantage is that they are multi-crystal (6 crystals per diode) with parallel connection. Because of this, the light source is quite bright with minimal power.
   We will use NK6 LEDs (photo below). Their advantage is that they are multi-crystal (6 crystals per diode) with parallel connection. Because of this, the light source is quite bright with minimal power.
3. We make 2 holes in the lid for each LED. Punch the holes carefully and evenly so that their location and intended pattern correspond to each other. If you use a piece of plastic as the “bottom,” the LEDs will be attached quite firmly, but if you use a piece of cardboard, you will need to glue the base with the LEDs using superglue or liquid nails.
4. Since the light bulb will be used in a 220-volt network, you will need an RLD2-1 driver. You can connect 3 one-watt diodes to it. We have 6 LEDs with a power of 0.5 watts each. Therefore, the connection diagram will consist of two series-connected parts, each part contains 3 parallel-connected LEDs. Above is a diagram, but in reality the whole structure looks like this:
   Above is a diagram, but in reality the whole structure looks like this:
5. Before assembly, you need to isolate the driver and the board from each other using a piece of cardboard or plastic. This will avoid short circuit in future. There is no need to worry about overheating; the lamp practically does not heat up.
   
6. All that remains is to assemble the structure and test it in action.
   

The luminous flux of the assembled lamp is 100–120 lumens. Pure white light makes the bulb appear significantly lighter. This is enough to illuminate a small room (corridor, utility room). The main advantage of the LED light source is low energy consumption and power - only 3 Watts. Which is 10 times less than incandescent lamps and 2–3 times less than fluorescent lamps. It operates from a conventional cartridge with 220 volt power.

Lamp assembly

The circuit of the simplest lamp operating from a 220 V network consists of two 12 kOhm resistors and two LEDs installed in parallel. The circuit is relevant for an even number of LED devices. For an odd number, the circuit must contain a driver that stabilizes the output current and voltage.

It is best to purchase a ready-made driver that is matched to the LED device. In addition, you can also make the driver yourself using a rectifier bridge, capacitors and ordinary diodes, which in the assembly convert the mains voltage into a voltage of a given frequency and value. Resistors in such a circuit act as a current limiter.

As can be seen from the above, an LED device can be assembled by anyone who has held a soldering iron at least once in their life and knows how to use the Internet, where many examples of standard and non-standard circuits and solutions for assembling an LED lamp are presented.

You can make the simplest lamp yourself using an LED strip, which you just need to attach to any flat surface using double-sided tape. For greater reliability and expanded functionality of the device, it is convenient to place the LED strip in the housing of a non-working fluorescent lamp, the length of which does not exceed 30 cm.

Suitable for making LED lamps following types tapes:

• SMD 3528 (60 (4.8 W); 120 (7.2 W); 240 (16 W) LEDs per linear meter);
• SMD 5050 (30 (7.2 W); 60 (14 W); 120 (25 W).

Density and arrangement of LEDs on SMD 3528 and SMD 5050 strips

Optimal choice will become an SMD 5050 LED strip, the parameters of which correspond to the following values:

• radiation angle – 120 degrees;
• supply voltage – 12 V;
• current – ​​1.2 A/m

The LED strip must be glued to the inside of the case using tape. To work, you can buy a power supply or assemble it yourself using the diagram below. The advantage of a self-assembled power supply is that it is possible to hide it in the lamp housing.

A DIY lamp based on an LED strip is no different in its parameters from the purchased version. Moreover, its cost is significantly lower than the cost of the finished product.

• We clean the halogen lamp from all components and putty.
• We take it out of the reflector.
• We prepare a reflector disk on which the LEDs will be located. We glue the disk onto an aluminum backing (a disk template can be found on the Internet) and make holes in it.
• According to the diagram, we place the LEDs on the disk with their legs up, taking into account their polarity. We roll a little glue between them, avoiding getting it on the contacts.
• We solder the LED contacts so that the chain begins with positive polarity (“”) and ends with negative (“-”).
• The positive contacts are connected to each other by soldering.
• We connect resistors to the negative contacts by soldering and connect their contacts to each other with solder, obtaining negatively charged resistors.
• We also connect the contacts of the resistors to each other and solder copper wires to them. To avoid short circuits, fill the space between the contacts and wires with glue.
• We glue the disk and the halogen reflector together.
• After the glue has polymerized, you can connect a 12 V power source.

There are a lot of ways to create a lamp with your own hands. The most common methods are using an old base from a burnt-out fluorescent lamp. Everyone will have such a resource in their home, so there will be no problems finding it. In addition to this you will need:

1. Base from a burnt-out product.
2. Directly ICE. They are sold in the form of LED strips or individual NK6 LEDs. Each element has a current of approximately 100–120 mA and a voltage of approximately 3–3.3 Volts.
3. You will need a diode bridge or 1N4007 rectifier diodes.
4. You need a fuse, which can be found in the base of a blown lamp.
5. Capacitor. Its capacity, voltage and other parameters are selected depending on electrical diagram for the assembly and the number of LEDs in it.
6. In most cases, you will need a frame on which the LEDs will be mounted. The frame can be made of plastic or similar material. The main requirement is that it must not be metallic, conductive, and must be heat-resistant.
7. To securely attach the LEDs to the frame, you will need superglue or liquid nails (the latter is preferable).

One or two elements from the above list may not be useful in some schemes; in other cases, on the contrary, new chain links (drivers, electrolytes) may be added. Therefore the list necessary materials must be drawn up individually in each specific case.

If an odd number of LEDs is used, a driver must be included in the circuit to stabilize the output current and voltage. It is recommended to purchase a ready-made product adapted for a specific lamp. Self-assembly of the driver is carried out using a rectifier bridge, capacitors and ordinary diodes used to convert the mains voltage into a voltage with the desired value and frequency. The role of resistors in this circuit is to limit the current.

One of the most simple options The lamp is an LED strip that is attached to any flat surface with double-sided tape. The basis can be non-working lamps, provided that their dimensions coincide with the dimensions of the strip. When all preparatory work completed, you can start making LED lamps with your own hands.

After fastening all working part connects to a power supply, which can be purchased ready-made or assembled with your own hands. In the latter case assembled block can be placed inside the lamp housing, while the finished power supply is installed only next to the lamp. In both cases, the assembled lighting device will be neat and economical, providing normal lighting work surface. During assembly, special attention should be paid to the quality of insulation of all conductive parts.

• Firstly, it should be noted that an LED strip is, in fact, a flexible plateau on which LEDs and resistors (current-limiting) are installed.
• Secondly, pay attention to its technical characteristics, especially regarding the brightness of the diodes. Optimal option: 780-900 Lm/m.
• Thirdly, adjusting the tape itself to the size of the lamp is not a problem. It is trimmed according to the areas marked on it. You can't cut in other places.
• Fourthly, there is an adhesive layer on the back of the tape, so it will be easy to attach it to the surface of the lamp.

Place for cutting LED strip

First of all, it is necessary to remove the electronic ballast plate from the luminaire. Then pieces of LED strip are glued onto it. In this case, the number of glued rows can be different, for example, six rows of three diodes each with a transverse installation. Installation variations can be different, the main thing is to accurately maintain the power of the required glow.

power unit

It is necessary to dwell on this element of the new lamp in more detail, because the LED strip on the power supply of a fluorescent lamp will not work. The thing is that the LED strip requires stabilization of voltage and current. If this is not done, the diodes will overheat and eventually simply burn out.

In our case best option- This is a power supply without a transformer, but with a ballast capacitor. Here is a diagram of the power supply from below.

Power supply with ballast capacitor

In this circuit, C1 is the same ballast capacitor that extinguishes the mains voltage of 220 volts. After it, the current is supplied to the diode rectifier VD1-VD4. After this, a constant voltage is applied to filter C2. To ensure that the capacitors discharge quickly, two resistors R2 for C1, R3 for C2 are installed in the circuit.

The most important element in this electrical network is capacitor C1. It is important to select it accurately according to necessary parameters containers. You shouldn't use it for this complex formulas. Just find a calculator on the Internet that will help you accurately calculate. True, for this you will need one introductory information: the current strength on a piece of LED strip. This is usually indicated in the product passport.

But keep in mind the fact that accompanying documents the maximum current parameter is indicated, so you should not take it as the main one. For example, a current of 150 mA will be normal for a new lamp 30 cm long. In this case, the LEDs will not heat up, and the brightness of the glow will be sufficient.

Power supply for LED strip

Try entering our data into the calculator, you will get the capacitor capacitance indicator - 2.08 µF. We round it up to the standard - 2.2 microfarads, which will withstand voltages up to 400 volts.

Attention! The power supply assembled according to this scheme is transformerless. Therefore, the entire circuit must be installed in a special housing that does not allow electric current to pass through, for example, a plastic one. Plus, it is recommended to strictly adhere to all safety regulations. Do not come into contact with live parts of the unit while the lamp is operating.

There is no need to throw away electronic ballasts that constantly fail. It needs to be checked for serviceability. It is important here that the diode bridge is intact; all other parts can be removed.

• Incandescent lamp sockets.
• Housings from burnt-out energy-saving or halogen lamps.
• Handmade devices.

LED lamp from a burnt out lamp

The old burnt-out device is carefully disassembled so that the base remains intact. After this, it needs to be cleaned and degreased. The circuit, located inside the base, consists of two 100 ohm protective resistors, two 220 nF capacitors with an operating voltage of 400 volts, and one 10 μF capacitor that neutralizes flicker.

Advantages of a homemade lamp

You can find many types of lamps in the store. Each type has its own disadvantages and advantages. Incandescent lamps are gradually losing their position due to high energy consumption, low light output, despite a high color rendering index. Compared to them, fluorescent light sources are a real miracle.

But fluorescent lamps also have disadvantages. They quickly fail due to frequent switching on and off; moreover, the vapors contained in the tubes are poisonous, and the design itself requires special disposal. Compared to them, the light-emitting diode (LED) lamp is the second revolution in lighting. They are even more economical, do not require special disposal and last 5–10 times longer.

LED lamps have one significant drawback - they are the most expensive. To reduce this minus to a minimum or turn it into a plus, you will need to build it from an LED strip with your own hands. At the same time, the cost of the light source becomes lower than that of luminescent analogues.

A homemade LED lamp has a number of advantages:

• The service life of the device, when properly assembled, is a record 100,000 hours;
• in terms of watt/lumen efficiency they are also superior to all analogues;
• the cost of a homemade lamp is no higher than that of a fluorescent lamp.

Of course, there is one drawback - the lack of guarantees for the product, which must be compensated by strict adherence to the instructions and the skill of the electrician.

Specialized stores offer a large selection of LED devices. However, sometimes it is impossible to find a device in the assortment that meets the necessary parameters. In addition, LED devices are traditionally high in cost.

Meanwhile, it is quite possible to save money and get the perfect lamp by assembling it yourself. This is not difficult to do and basic technical knowledge and practical skills will be enough.

A DIY LED device has a number of significant advantages over its store-bought counterpart. They are economical: with careful assembly and the use of high-quality parts, the service life reaches 100 thousand hours.

Such devices show high degree energy efficiency, which is determined by the ratio of power consumption and the brightness of the generated light. Finally, their cost is an order of magnitude lower than their factory counterparts.

Making an LED lamp from a halogen lamp

In accordance with the diagram, the LEDs are located on the disk with their legs up, taking into account their polarity. A small amount of glue is applied between them so that it does not get on the contacts. During soldering, the entire chain must start with a plus and end with a minus. Next, the positive contacts are connected using soldering. The negative contacts are connected to resistors and to each other. As a result, resistors with a negative charge are obtained.

The contacts of the resistors are connected to each other, after which copper wires are soldered to them. The gap between the wires and contacts is filled with glue to avoid short circuits. Then the disk and reflector are glued together. After the glue has dried, you can connect to a 12 volt power source.

The main issues that have to be resolved in the manufacture of LED lamps are the conversion of alternating electric current into pulsating and its equalization to constant. In addition, it is necessary to limit the power flow to 12 volts, which is necessary to power the diode.

When thinking through the device, you should also solve a number of design problems, namely:

• how to arrange the circuit and LEDs;
• how to isolate the system;
• how to ensure heat exchange in the device.

Before assembly, it is advisable to think through all these problems, taking into account the requirements for a homemade light source.

In addition to the body, other elements will be required to create the lamp. These are, first of all, LEDs, which can be purchased in the form of LED strips or individual NK6 elements. The current strength of each part is 100-120 mA; voltage 3-3.3 V.

You also need 1N4007 rectifier diodes or a diode bridge, as well as fuses, which can be found in the base of an old device.

You will also need a capacitor, the capacitance and voltage of which must correspond to the electrical circuit used and the number of LED elements used in it.

If you are not using a ready-made board, you need to think about the frame to which the LEDs are attached. For its manufacture, a heat-resistant material that is not metal and non-conducting electric current is suitable.

As a rule, such a part is made from durable plastics or thick cardboard. To attach the LED elements to the frame you will need liquid nails or superglue.

Energy saving lamp

After an energy-saving lamp has served its life and burned out, hand-made craftsmen recommend not throwing it away, but using the device to create an LED lighting device. This can be done if the lamp has a working electronic ballast (EB) and a whole housing with a base, which will become the basis of the new product.

To complete the package, you need to purchase 5 mm LEDs and 4 ultra-fast diodes of the UF4007 type. The essence of creating an LED lamp based on an energy-saving one is to install a rectifier bridge at the output of the EB, which will allow you to obtain a constant voltage of 100 V at a current of 130 mA.

To reduce the frequency of the alternating voltage at the EB output, we will assemble a rectifier bridge from UF4007 diodes, to the output of which we solder a 0.1 μF capacitor operating at a voltage of 400 V. We install the diode bridge in place of capacitor C3 (see typical diagram of an EB lamp) connecting the filaments incandescent lamp, which we then close together.

Separately, we assemble a series chain of 30 LED devices, the current consumption of which is 20 mA, and check its operation. At a constant voltage of 100 V and a current of 130 mA, you can assemble 5 chains of LED diodes of 30 pieces each and get a lamp whose power is 15 W.

As we see from what is described above, you can make an LED lamp yourself, not only by soldering the circuit, but also using various devices– LED strip and lamps different types.

Energy-saving lamps that have expired should not be thrown away; they can be used as the basis for LED lamps. The lamp body together with the base must be intact, and the electronic ballast must be in full working order, since they will be the basis of the new lamp. In addition, you will need 5 mm LEDs and 4 ultra-fast diodes.

A rectifier bridge is installed at the output of the energy-saving lamp, providing a constant voltage of 100 volts at a current of 130 mA. A sequential chain of 30 LEDs is assembled separately; the number of such chains can reach up to five.

LED luminous flux online calculation. .

LED lamp circuits

The circuit includes four diodes that are connected in different directions. Thanks to this, the bridge acquires the ability to transform the mains current of 220 V into a pulsating one.

This happens as follows: when sinusoidal half-waves pass through two diodes, they change, which causes a loss of polarity.

During assembly, a capacitor is connected to the positive output in front of the bridge; in front of the negative terminal - a resistance of 100 Ohms. Another capacitor is installed behind the bridge: it will be needed to smooth out voltage drops.

The easiest way to create an LED lamp is to make a light source based on a broken lamp. It is necessary to check the functionality of the detected parts, which can be done using a 12 V battery.

Defective elements must be replaced. To do this, you should unsolder the contacts, remove the burnt out elements, and put new ones in their place. In this case, it is important to observe the alternation of anodes and cathodes, which are attached in series.

If you need to change only 2-3 pieces of the chip, you can simply solder them to the areas where the failed components were previously located.

For complete self-assembly, you need to connect 10 diodes in a row, observing the polarity rules. Several completed circuits are soldered to the wires.

When assembling circuits, it is important to ensure that the soldered ends do not touch each other, as this can lead to a short circuit in the device and failure of the system.

To avoid the flickering characteristic of LED lamps, the circuit described above can be supplemented with several details. Thus, it should consist of a diode bridge, 100 and 230 Ohm resistors, 400 nF and 10 μF capacitors.

To protect the device from voltage surges, a 100 Ohm resistor is placed at the beginning of the circuit, followed by a 400 nF capacitor, after which a diode bridge and another 230 Ohm resistor are installed, followed by an assembled chain of LEDs.

A similar scheme is also quite accessible to a novice master. This requires two 12k resistors and two strings of the same number LEDs that are soldered in series, taking into account polarity. In this case, one strip on the R1 side is connected to the cathode, and the other to R2, the anode.

Lamps made according to this scheme have more soft light, since the operating elements are lit in turn, making the pulsation of the flashes almost invisible to the naked eye.

The devices are successfully used as table lamp and for other purposes. To create optimal lighting, experts recommend using strips of 20-40 diodes. A smaller amount gives a small luminous flux, connection more elements are technically quite difficult to implement.

The basis of the basics is the calculation and principle of operation of a current driver with a quenching capacitor

Resistor R1 limits the current surge when power is applied until the circuit stabilizes (about 1 second). Value from 50 to 150 Ohm. Power 2 W.

Resistor R2 ensures the operation of the ballast capacitor. Firstly, it discharges it when the power is turned off. At a minimum, to prevent you from being shocked when unscrewing the light bulb. The second task is to prevent a current surge in the case when the polarity of the charged capacitor and the first half-wave of 220 volts do not coincide.

Actually, the damping capacitor C1 is the basis of the circuit. It is a kind of current filter. By selecting the capacitance, you can set any current in the circuit. For our diodes it should not exceed 20 mA at peak mains voltage.

Electrolytic capacitor C2 is needed to prevent the lamp from flickering. LEDs have no inertia when turned on and off. Therefore, the eye will see a flicker with a frequency of 50 Hz. By the way, cheap Chinese lamps are guilty of this. The quality of the capacitor is checked using any digital camera, even a smartphone. Looking at the burning diodes through a digital matrix, you can see blinking, indistinguishable to the human eye.

In addition, this electrolyte provides an unexpected bonus: the lamps do not turn off immediately, but with a noble slow attenuation until the capacity is discharged.

I = 200*C*(1.41*U network – U led)

I – resulting circuit current in amperes

200 is a constant (network frequency 50Hz * 4)

1.41 – constant

C – capacitance of capacitor C1 (quenching) in farads

U network - estimated network voltage (ideally 220 volts)

U led – total voltage drop across the LEDs (in our case – 3.3 volts, multiplied by the number of LED elements)

By selecting the number of LEDs (with a known voltage drop) and the capacity of the quenching capacitor, it is necessary to achieve the required current. It should not be higher than specified in the characteristics of the LEDs. It is the strength of the current that you regulate the brightness of the glow, and inversely proportional to the lifespan of the LEDs.

For convenience, you can create a formula in Excel.

The circuit has been tested several times, the first copy was assembled almost 3 years ago, it works in a kitchen lamp, there have been no malfunctions.

Let's move on to practical implementation projects. There is no point in discussing the number of LED elements and capacitor capacity in individual circuits: the projects are individual for each lamp. Calculated strictly according to the formula. The above circuit for 60 LEDs with a 68 microfarad capacitor is not just an example, but a real calculation for a current in the circuit of 15 mA (to extend the life of the lights).

The rectified current goes to series-connected LEDs HL1-HL27, the number of which can reach 80 pieces.

To avoid flickering and achieve a consistently even color, it is advisable to use capacitor C2, which should have as large a capacity as possible.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

This means that, having on hand non-working linear or compact fluorescent lamps and several elements given above in this article, you can create an LED lamp with your own hands, which has a number of advantages. One of the main ones is low cost compared to lamps that can be purchased in a store.

As you can see, assembling an LED lamp with your own hands is not a problem if you have a little knowledge of electrical elements and have the skills to work with a soldering iron. Of course, this is not the only scheme. You can make a lamp from an ordinary energy-saving lamp, or a chandelier using incandescent lamps. The main thing is to correctly assemble the power supply, adjusting it to a voltage of 12 volts and the current strength of a piece of LED strip.

DIY 220V LED lamp - assembly diagram

How to choose a power supply for a 12V LED strip

How to make light music from LED strip with your own hands

DIY LED lamps

With the rise in the cost of electricity, many are thinking about purchasing LED light sources, which bring significant savings and are excellent substitutes natural light. However, today not many can afford LED lamps, because their cost is still quite high. Therefore, thanks to folk craftsmen, in this article we will look at how you can make a lighting device from LEDs with your own hands.

DIY LED lamps have high technical characteristics. They are almost as good as factory models in terms of qualities such as strength, reliability, and durability. The assembly of such devices is accessible to almost everyone: to successfully complete it, you just need to strictly follow the diagrams and carefully carry out all the prescribed manipulations.

Assembling a simple LED lamp

Let's consider the implementation of a lamp in a standard base from a fluorescent lamp. To do this, we will have to slightly change the above list of materials. In this case we use:

• old base E27;
• NK6 LEDs;
• driver RLD2-1;
• a piece of plastic or thick cardboard;
• Super glue;
• electrical wiring;
• soldering iron, pliers, scissors.

Initially, you need to disassemble the lamp. For luminescent devices, the connection of the base to the plate with tubes is carried out using latches. It is important to locate the fastening location and pry the elements with a screwdriver, which will allow you to easily disconnect the cartridge.

When disassembling the device, extreme care must be taken so as not to damage the tubes that contain a toxic substance inside. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor the integrity of the electrical wiring connected to the base, as well as preserve the parts contained in it.

We use the upper part with connected gas-discharge tubes to make the plate necessary for connecting the LEDs. It is enough to delete tubular elements, and attach LED parts to the remaining round holes.

To secure them securely, it is better to make an additional plastic or cardboard cover, which will serve to isolate the chips.

The lamp will use NK6 LEDs, each of which consists of 6 crystals with parallel connection. They allow you to create a fairly bright lighting device with a minimum of electricity consumption.

To connect each LED to the cover, you need to make two holes. They should be pierced carefully in strict accordance with the diagram.

Plastic part allows you to firmly fix the LED elements, while the use of cardboard requires additional fastening of the LEDs to the base using liquid nails or superglue.

Since the device is designed to use six LEDs with a power of 0.5 watts each, the circuit must include three elements connected in parallel.

In a design that will operate from a 220 V power supply, you need to provide an RLD2-1 driver, which you should purchase in a store or do it yourself.

To avoid short circuits, it is important to insulate the driver and board from each other using plastic or cardboard before starting assembly. Since the lamp barely heats up, there is no need to worry about overheating.

Having selected all the components, you can assemble the structure according to the diagram, and then connect it to the electrical network to check the glow.

The device, powered by a standard 220V socket, has low power consumption and a power of 3 Watts. The latter figure is 2-3 times less than that of fluorescent devices and 10 times less than that of incandescent lamps.

Although the luminous flux is only 100-120 lumens, thanks to the dazzling white color the lamp appears significantly brighter. The assembled lamp can be used as a table lamp or to illuminate a compact room, for example, a corridor or closet.

LED lamps on various bases

Halogen lamp

Many will ask the question - why make an LED chandelier with your own hands, if such a thing can be bought in a store?
This question is partly true. There are inexpensive Chinese chandeliers that are easier to purchase ready-made because... price gain from homemade such a thing would still not be that significant.

However, the situation is completely different with expensive large models, such as you can see in nice restaurants, hotels or theaters. Their price most often ranges from 60,000 rubles or more. In many cases, this amount may be unaffordable. At the same time, the cost of such a product may well fall within 3000 - 6000.

In addition, situations arise when interior design requires absolutely individual approach, and not a single standard model purchased will simply look good.

In general, sometimes making a chandelier yourself can be very profitable.

Today we will look at a small example, the goal of which was not to make a masterpiece. We would just like to show you some interesting practical techniques in this matter. Knowing them, you can come up with your own interesting design and bring it to life.

So - we need:
1) Black plexiglass plate 50cm by 50cm
2) 200 pieces of transparent glass balls
3) RGB LEDs
4) Controller for LEDs
5) Heat shrink
6) Power supply
7) Glue
8) Optical fiber
9) Plywood sheet
10) Electrical tape, a socket and a number of other little things, the list of which directly depends on your idea.

First of all, let's mark the base of our chandelier on the plywood. In this case it will be a circle. Carefully cut it out, mount a socket there and connect the power supply. In our case, we used a socket similar to the one on the back of the computer system unit. This choice, in fact, is not conditioned by anything - you can use any other option.

Then we make a mount for our chandelier and cut off the chains of the required length, so it will hang on them. We cut out a second plywood circle and a very even circle of plexiglass, so that it is 5 millimeters larger than the plywood one. Then we will connect them together. This step is needed to strengthen the plexiglass, which is not designed for loads.

Now we have one plywood circle and one two-layer one (plywood + plexiglass). This is the basis of our chandelier.

Let's connect these 2 levels with small, neat planks to create some semblance of a cylinder.

We mark the circle with concentric circles, thereby marking the contours where the balls will be located.

We drill small holes where the centers of the balls will be.

Now you need to assemble a box in which the light from the RGB LED will go into the optical fiber. In the example we used a 12 Volt LED, however real life We would advise installing 4 3 Volt RGB LEDs connected in series. We connect the controller to the LEDs.

We use a plastic fitting as a clamp for the optical fiber.

We begin to prepare the balls, in each of which we should drill a non-through hole approximately to the center. This is not an easy task and requires quite a lot of time. It's best to use a Dremel. It is also important to consider the issue of securing the ball during the drilling process.

The main feature of our project is the use of fiber optics. This is what we will deal with next. We cut the fiber very carefully.
ATTENTION! Consider the fact that in addition to the length of the fiber from the ball to the plexiglass, there must be some margin for connecting to the LED.

In our case, the dimensions are as follows:

7 threads 75cm + 10cm = 85cm
21 threads 60cm + 15 cm = 75 cm
35 threads 45cm + 20cm = 65cm
50 threads 30 cm + 25 cm = 55 cm
64 threads 15 cm + 30 cm = 45 cm

We collect the optical fiber into a bundle, put a heat-shrink tube on the end, rest the bundle against the table (as a result, all the fibers will be at the same level), heat the heat shrink so that it tightly compresses the fibers to each other. It looks like a “broom” with a handle. We fix the end compressed with heat shrink in the fitting and spread the fibers along the holes drilled in the plexiglass.

Pour a little glue onto the paper, dip a toothpick in it and carefully coat the hole in the ball. Insert the fiber there and temporarily secure the connection with tape. Give it a little time for everything to harden. Check the connection strength. It is important to exclude the possibility of the ball falling off.

We hang the chandelier together with the balls and carefully adjust the lengths of the fibers for each ball. It is necessary to ensure that the balls hang perfectly at the planned level. We fix correct position optical fibers with hot glue.

Then we make the sides for our cylinder.

All! As a result we have original chandelier with glowing balls that can change color depending on the button you press on the remote control. You will also have many interesting effects at your disposal.

This idea seems very promising to us and has several extensions, for example:

Obviously, in the scheme described above it does not shine with ordinary light and can only be a decorative element. But no one is stopping you from doing more on your own. full version, adding regular white LEDs to it.

You can make the outer rings of the balls glow in one color (for example, red), and the inner ones have a controlled color. You will get a very beautiful multi-colored chandelier. In this case, you will need to make several fittings, each of which will shine a different color.

In general, this approach provides a truly wide field for maneuver!