Thread: how to blur LEDs to get wash-flood effect

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I purchased hand full UV Leds, 5mm ...I'm wanting to blur the LEDs lens so the light give a more wash or flood effect vs a spot or narrow beam. I know this is primary due to the display angle, but, what about putting something like plastic wrap for covering food, or even vasoline over the lens. Can't think of anything else, it needs to be somewhat transparent to not block too much light. What I did is bought a few of those snap on LEDs and replaced bulb with UV leds, very easy to do ! Then I have another clip on light with a lens... I did that same on, works great but you can see the LEDs appear pretty bright when backlighting thru cloth so try to blur the light and widen the display if possible.

some ~400 grit sand paper to defuse the epoxy lens of the LED.

Super easy was is get you a can of Testors Dull Coat modeling lacqure spray. I have a dance light I didn't like seeing the bulb element V shape in the beams. After hitting the color acrylic lenses they became a nice soft color spot though it did lose some intensity.

Several spot LEDS I have I took sand paper and made them into floods. Just sand all around the led to dull the finish. It does take away from the brightness a little but it really does make a flood light out of the spots.

buy a diffuser made for flourescent lights, they come in big sheets at any big hardware store and cut to shape as needed to mount in front of the led's. Most DJ's use that trick on teh brighter LED strip lights to cut down the glare and diffuse the lights better.

thanks all, this forum rocks, I woud have never thought of sand paper, flourescent diffuser, or dull modeling spray. I might try wax paper even... sure one of these will do the trick.

Does any know of a way to use dimmers on LED based lights?

I don't think you can use a dimmer, since LEDs need a certain voltage in order to light up.

Yes you can MAKE a dimmer for LEDs, it's called pulse width modulation (PWM).

It's very simple to make, but will easy double (if not more) the cost of the lighting.

Difusion (aka, wax paper, sanding the LED, lite missting of paint.......) might be a better soulation.

If you are still interested in a dimmer, do a search for 555 and PWM.

MrBigPoo




Two wroungs do not make a right, but three lefts do.

A simple piece of scotch tape will do the trick