Thread: Homemade LED Spotlights

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Here is a brief tut. on how I made my LED spotlights. I was inspired by Nepboard's post here. I wanted something a little more inconspicuous, so I went scrounging in my basement when I came across these, and knew that I would base my spotlights around these. So, here it goes:


Materials:


**NOTE: Be sure to use a proper power source so that your resistors match up with the voltage you are supplying it with. I used an old 12V AC to DC adapter, with resistors to match. This adapter will run quite a few spotlights with no problems.***

You will also need a soldering gun and wire strippers.

Step 1:
Solder the resistor to the shorter lead of your LED. Then, strip a length of wire and solder it to the resistor, and add another wire to the remaining lead (I used about 15' per spotlight). Tape all of your connections well.


Step 2:
Straighten out your fence tie, then bend at a 90° angle 2" from the top. Cut a 2" piece of 1/4" tubing, and use 2 cable ties to attach it to the fence tie. Feed the wire attached to the LED through the front of the tubing, and out the back. The LED should fit very snugly. Use a cable tie to keep the wires neat, and attach the wire to your power source. Make sure you attach the pos./neg. wires from the adapter to the LED correctly. If it doesn't light up, switch the wires, and it should work.


Step 3:
Plug it in, and you're done. This is one LED from about 3' away:






NOTES:
As stated before, depending on the mA of your power source, you can run multiple sets of spotlights off of one source.

To diffuse the light, you can simply add a piece of matte scotch tape to the tip of the tubing.

Push the spotlights into the ground, and bend the 90° angle until the light is aimed in the right direction.

If you have any questions, please ask them.

where do you get the led lights?

Originally Posted by creepingdth

where do you get the led lights?

I got mine off of ebay. Here is the seller I have used in the past, but look around. I would suggest finding ones that come with resistors, and are at least 10,000 mcd.

Just ordered some green ones and blue ones. I was looking into getting some led spots this year, and for only a few bucks these will probably work. Thanks!

Genius. What if you buy your LEDs and resistors seperate? What wattage should you be looking to match?

Also FIY you can take film capsules and create the came effect, only depending on the size of the hole you drill in the cap will depend on the amount of lighting.

Originally Posted by ryanrgrnt

Genius. What if you buy your LEDs and resistors seperate? What wattage should you be looking to match?

Here are some good resources:
Wolfstone 1
Wolfstone 2

Originally Posted by nightrideproductions

Here are some good resources:
Wolfstone 1
Wolfstone 2

This reminds me why I hated second semester physics. I think I'll just plug some into a wall wart and see what happens!

This is awesome. I'm running mine off of 9 volts tho, but this will be sweet. Thanks alot!

Originally Posted by nightrideproductions

Here are some good resources:
Wolfstone 1
Wolfstone 2

That wolfstone site is quite helpful. Thanks for the heads up