DIY RGB Wall Lamp

Intro:

If you want to try to hand make a lamp that is a really great and simple, this project is going to be perfect for you! In this Instructable, I will show you how to create a simple, color changing wall lamp with different effects! You can change it into different colors by using a couple stepper motor.

So the way my project works is that you to spin or twist the stepper motor. By spinning it, it changes color. In total, there will be three motors (there can also be two, it's just there will be less color choices), each motor is in charge of red, green or, blue. But in this particular, i've choose to replace the color "red" into "brightness", where you could control the brightness of the lamp just by spinning one of the knobs.

Brainstorming is a method for you to gang and gather ideas. Basically, you draw your ideas down on a piece of paper, than you choose your favorite one. There are a lot of ways for you go came up of ideas, but i choose to do it the simplest way, which is to draw them down.

So this is what i come up, a really simple rectangular shaped wall lamp. I want the product to turn out being easy to use and my product is all about being simple and functional.

Electrons:

1. Arduino Leonardo: I'm using Arduino Leonardo in this project, but other Arduino mother boards would work as well. (Click here to purchase!)

2. Wires: allows mechanical loads or electricity and telecommunications signals to communicate (Click here to purchase!)

3. Bread board: a solderless device for temporary prototype with electronics and test circuit designs, where you plug your wires (Click here to purchase!)

4. Stepper motors (could be 1, 2 or 3. I personally recommend doing 2 or 3): stepper motors allow you to change the RGB into different colors. (Click here to purchase!)

5. Multiple common Cathode RGB light bars (the light bars should be flexible, it could be as big as you want): The RGB light bars allow your wall lamb to glow in the darkness! (Click here to purchase!)

6. 3x 330 Ohm resistors: They are used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, to divide voltages In electronic circuits. (Click here to purchase!)

7. Power bank: to power up the device without needing to plug it. (Click here to purchase!)

Case:

1. Cardboard

2. Knob

3. Hot glue (gun)

4. Sharp needle (or anything that can poke through the surface)

The size of my wall lamp is 25x35x3, and it's 2.5 cm from the wall. It's a little small compared to other wall lamps out there, so I suggest that you can make it bigger. The box is made out of mainly cardboard, and remember that there must be space between the actual lamp and the wall, so that you have space to hide your Arduino.

1. Cut out your cardboard into the size you want.

2. Cut out some long thick cardboards, creating gaps between your lamp and the wall.

3. Glue them together.

Now to add some light, we need to connect the RGB light to the Arduino. I used a breadboard to make connections easier.

Add a connection between the ground pin of the Arduino to the ground of the RGB .

Add a connection between the the Arduino and the input source of the RGB strip.

Add a potentiometer connected to the Analog pin of the Arduino.

Finally add a couple buttons connected to the breadboards of the Arduino.

Now we have everything and we can start coding.

To use my code you can visit Arduino.cc or just click Here!. The coding that i used is very simple, and if you copied all of them into yours, it should work if all your wirings are correct. But if you know a better way to code, please do so because i'm not the best when it comes to coding.

When you've tested and you’re satisfied with your effects, connect the Arduino with a battery (if you don;twant to connect your Arduino to a plug) and you’re done!

Thanks a lot for spending some of your time reading, and even more if you gave project a try!