LED Tower V2
Introduction: LED Tower V2
Hey Everyone and what is up?
So this is the LED TOWER 2.0 which is basically a fancy Desk Lamp made by combining LEDs in a row and lighting them up individually to make a pattern.
8 LEDs are connecting in parallel on a Ring PCB that has a mosfet as a switch setup to drive the LEDs, we add 8 more Rings together in a row with jumper wires to make a tower-like setup that looks super cool when lighten up.
This Instructables is about the whole build process of this LED Tower, so let's get started.
Supplies
MATERIAL REQUIRED
* Custom PCBs x 8
* 5mm RED LEDs x 64
* 3D Printed Base
* AO3400 Mosfet
* 10K Resistor 0603
* 12 Ohms 1206
* Jumper wires
Step 1: GETTING STARTED
This project is version 2 of my previous LED Tower project which was completely made by soldering LEDs together by jumper wires, LEDs were held in their place with a JIG and then soldered together by using their leads and jumper wires.
That project was made a few years ago, so to make V2 I planned to make a RING Shaped PCB that will hold LEDs in their place, These ring PCBs will be stacked up in a row by using leftover Leads of LEDs or we can use silver copper wire here as well.
Step 2: SCHEMATIC
This is the schematic that was used in the project, all 8 LEDs are connected in parallel. an AO3400 Mosfet is connected with parallel LEDs with two Resistors in series with the LED.
R2 and R1 Resistors are connected in series with LEDs to limit the current of the LED when they are powered by VCC which will be around 5V.
The ring has one more Pad that is connected with a Resistor and then goes to the gate of mosfet, this pad is used to control the state of mosfet through a Microcontroller.
PWM Signal or HIGH LOW signal can be used to control the state of mosfet.
Step 3: PCB DESIGN
here's the PCB Design that was made in such a way that it can be stacked up in a row by soldering jumper wires on its VCC and GND pads that are present on four parts of the PCB. 982
On one side, Mosfet as a switch setup is placed along with 8 LEDs connected in parallel.
Step 4: SEEED Fusion PCB Service
After finalizing the PCB and generating its Gerber data, I send it to SEEED STUDIO for samples.
Ordered PCBs in white Soldermask with black silkscreen.
I received PCBs in a week and their quality was super good considering the rate which was also pretty low.
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Step 5: PCB ASSEMBLY
PCB Assembly of this project consists of four major steps which are
* Solder Paste Dispensing Process
* Pick & Place Process
* Hotplate Reflow
* Adding THT Components
Step 6: SOLDER PASTE DISPENSING
We start first by adding Solderpaste to each component pad on the bottom side of the board.
We do this process for all the Ring PCBs.
Step 7: PICK AND PLACE
Then we pick and place each component in its assigned place one by one.
We do this process for all 8 Ring PCBs.
Step 8: HOTPLATE REFLOW
Next, we carefully lift all the PCBs and place them on the hotplate. I’m using my good old DIY hotplate which I made a while back.
Hotplate Heats the surface up to the solder paste melting temp and it slowly melts. after a few mins when the solder paste completely melts, we remove the PCB and let it cool down for a moment.
Step 9: RESULT OF HOTPLATE PROCESS
Here's the PCB that has been reflow, Next we start the THT Process.
Step 10: THT PROCESS
Here's the final setup, We add 5mm LEDs in their place one by one and then use a soldering iron to solder them in their place. 472