Illuminate a Basement Appartment

One of my sons lives in a basement apartment. This can be good financially in the big city. It can also be mentally difficult. When the only window is 8" x 24" and at the top edge of the wall, It can begin to feel claustrophobic. I wanted to brighten things up down there for him. The idea came to me one day while looking out a window in my old farm house. It was built by my relatives back in 1864. They weren't big on miter cuts back then. All the trim was made with 90° cuts. This gives these old homes a specific character. The idea bubble above my head wasn't light bulb shaped. It was a large glowing rectangle. What a great idea, I brought up the internet, typed in a search for 2x4 flat panel led. There they were, the answer to the problem at hand. Two flat panel led lights $160. I was excited now.

It's pretty hard to take pictures or videos of the windows when lit. The only way to illustrate it is to show you what they can accomplish in a dark room. I was so excited when I hung these and had my son slowly turn them up. Our minds were blown psh!!!

The panel's measurements were the main thing to keep in mind. That's it 23.74" x 47.71" that is what I built around. Most other measurements were made by an organic process I like to call eyeing it up. I laid some scraps down and made a few executive decisions and jumped in once a shape and size was decided on. I would make enough for two windows worth. I have the wood required kicking around the shop I have a sheet of 3/4" construction grade plywood and enough 1"x4" and 1"x6" pine as well. I don't have a detailed list because it was all there already.

The first item was a frame to hold all the pieces. The opening is smaller than the light panel. It will free float in place. I will lie it onto the frame and the trim pieces of the faux window, will screw on to the backing. The cutouts will overlap the light's aluminum frame, hiding it from view while holding the panel in place. That's the master plan.

The upright sides were the first trim I cut. Then the upper trim and lower sill. It took some nerve to cut the upper and lower trim that will hold and hide the light frame. I won't explain how it was done, I just hope you will find a safer way if you make one of these.

I rounded the edges on most pieces. The upper shelf needed something more, so it was given a nicer edge.

I sanded all the pieces nice and smooth. I laid the pieces out and marked where I would need to drill mounting holes.

The electrical box was a pain! Double sided tape Arrgh!!

Once the electrical box was removed, the hangers had to go as well.

With the panel ready, I put everything together once before finishing, to be sure all was well.

This was when powering up came to mind. I made a run to town.

There is a perfect place in town for all my connections and wires Nutech Electronics.

I love this little Incra jig. It makes box making a breeze.

I glued it up then made the holes for input and output electrical hookups.

With the top and bottom screwed on, I sanded all sides flush with a belt sander. Much to dusty for pictures. The Incra protractor came in handy for making the vent hole template.

I disassembled, stained, and polyurethaned everything. I used brown paper to smooth between coats. It does a great job of polishing the finish to a nice shine.

I mounted the electrical 110v line and electrical control inside the box.

The 12v output connectors are just simple push and insert connectors.

These panels have 0 to 10v dimming technology. It works great, there is no buzzing. One problem though, most of the dimmers I found were crazy expensive. I used a VKTECH dimmer from Amazon for this control box. I also ordered one that had a remote. Unfortunately it was advertised as 0 to 10v but wasn't. I then ordered a LUXdrive rotary wall mount from ledsupply.com for the other box. Waiting for it to arrive was excruciating. With everything else complete and waiting, I was chomping at the bit to get these delivered. When the dimmer arrived, I was so excited, I forgot to take pictures.

I'm quite pleased with the rotary wall mount control. I was able to disassemble it, and mount the working components. I found a funky retro knob and a great piece of pine for the front of the box. The LUXdrive control is also smoother to operate. The VKTECH didn't come apart, hence the large access hole. The VKTECH also tends to be a bit jumpy when dimming, though it can be set to any brightness. You just have to play around a bit and turn extremely slowly.

I neglected to take pictures of making the 12v cables that connect the controls panel to the windows. It was pretty basic, I just soldered plugs on a 10' wire. I figured with a long wire the control boxes could be set anywhere.

Here are both windows in my shop waiting to take the trip to the big city.

Here they are hanging in place. One beside the bathroom and one in the kitchen. Now it can always be a sunny day, even when returning home from afternoon shift. Curtains could be added or even a stained glass panel.

These panels are a mere 55 watts, at maximum brightness. It only takes 110 watts to light this entire space. The dimming capability allows you to set the mood nicely.