How to Build an LED Camcorder Light

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Collect the items needed to complete this project.

   These are listed below under "Things You'll Need".
2. 2

   Step 2: Find some suitable elasticized fabric.

   , Then measure the same for the elasticized fabric.
   
   Cut the elastic to the measurement.
   
   Be sure to add a couple centimeters or inches to your measurement to compensate for overlap. , Overlap the two edges while forming a circle. ,, Note that the colourful stripes on a resistor denote its value.
   
   For a 470 ohm the stripes on the left side of the resistor are yellow, purple, black, black and on the right side brown.
   
   When measuring out the wires, make you have enough slack to make it around the whole lens and then some. ,,, Continue to solder the link from the negative terminal on the first LED to the positive terminal on the second LED.
   
   This is the series circuit.
   
   Repeat this for all the series circuits, there are three.
   
   Refer back to the wiring diagram. , If the light comes on, the lights are wired properly.
   
   If they do not, check your solder connections. ,, This will also weatherproof your light. ,, With these wires striped twist them into each set of three into one.
   
   Now there should be two wires.
   
   This completes your series circuit. ,, Refer to the picture in step
   14. , Refer to the picture in step
   14. , All the lights should illuminate.
   
   If not, double check your soldering. , Allow to dry. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: Measure the circumference of the camcorder lens or whatever mounting point the light will attach to.

4. 4

   Step 4: Using the glue gun

5. 5

   Step 5: put a dollop of glue on the edge of the elastic strip.

6. 6

   Step 6: Hold this in place till glue hardens

7. 7

   Step 7: approximately 20 seconds.

8. 8

   Step 8: Follow this wiring diagram for the next steps.

9. 9

   Step 9: Please read the "Warnings" section below before continuing with the next steps.

10. 10

    Step 10: Plan out the light circuit before soldering.

11. 11

    Step 11: Solder the resistor to the positive terminal on the first LED.

12. 12

    Step 12: Test the circuits by touching the positive lead (the end with the resistor) to the positive side of the battery and the negative lead (the negative side of the second LED) to the negative side of the battery.

13. 13

    Step 13: Solder on the wires (see "Things You'll Need" below for sizing).

14. 14

    Step 14: Cover all the connections in glue to prevent the electrical components from touching and arcing.

15. 15

    Step 15: Glue the three sets of lights equally around the elastic strap that you created earlier.

16. 16

    Step 16: Combine all the wires coming from the light circuits (there should be 3 positive wires and 3 negative wires).

17. 17

    Step 17: Solder the negative wire to the negative end of the battery connector.

18. 18

    Step 18: Solder the positive end to one end of the switch.

19. 19

    Step 19: Solder the positive wire of the battery connector to the other end of the switch.

20. 20

    Step 20: Test the soldering by plugging in the battery and turning on the switch.

21. 21

    Step 21: Cover all the connections in glue for weather proofing.

22. 22

    Step 22: Try it out!

Detailed Guide

About the Author