Tripod Light

This project shows how to assemble a modular and fold-able lighting system on a budget using "GoPro-like" accessories, 12 volt LED lamps, selfie-sticks and tripods for video creation or teleconferencing. The combo when disassembled is very compact fitting easily into two boxes like for an iPad and a Galaxy Tab (see video). Time to assemble the lighting system is around ten minutes and is not requiring any soldering.

The lighting system is using flattened soda can sheets for indirect lighting. The lamps can be arranged around a table - two on the side with the selfie-stick enlarged and one in front of the laptop. The warmness of light can be chosen by the lamps.

Of course, such lighting systems already exists. The advantage of a self-assembled system is that if something gets damaged spare parts can be purchased. The system is requiring 12 volts and therefore can be operated by a battery system (3 x 18650 batteries in series).

We often spend the weekend in an apartment in the mountains. Thus, I could no longer produce videos in the evening without a good light source. From this came the idea of this modular system. As it turned out, it is also useful for teleconferences.

• Lamp (Led Star mr16 35 36° gu5.3)
• Lamp holder https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCxNEZ9
• Lamp socket https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ASCx8E
• Tripod Adapter https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AV3xSm
• Tripod https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ABxe9s
• Selfie Stick https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9z6IDC
• Power Jack Adapter Plug https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Akt71k
• Cable (2x0.75, 10 meters)
• Wire connector https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBMizmT
• Power adapter https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9APwfs
• Desk holder for phone https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Deqi0Gb

The idea for the lamp holder came while playing around with a bicycle clamp handlebar mount for GoPro. Instead of the handlebar, the LED lamp is clamped working as the lamp holder. 

The tripod adapter is connecting the lamp holder and the tripod. If you need a long version you mount the selfie stick in between.

Thereafter the lamp socket is attached to the lamp and the cables are connected to the power jack adapter plugs.

To connect the adapter on the lamp with the adapter on the tripod you have to remove one of the nuts. Then we come to the only modification during this assembly. The screw to connect lamp and tripod is not long enough (watch the video). You can either take away a part of the adapter or enlarge the screw by sawing off a piece of the holder.

It is about electricity now ..... so remember you are responsible to check correctness of positive and negative wires! .... better check the polarity of all cables twice before connecting the system to the power adapter or the battery.

As we want to use only one power adapter we need to use wire connectors. They are very convenient and no soldering is required. One wire connector is combining the positive wires and the other wire connector is combining the negative wires coming form the three lamps. One cable from each wire connector is then leading to the power adapter (or battery).

In addition, simple extension cables were made.

In order to allow for indirect lighting at least two of the three lamps are equipped with flattened soda can sheets. I already posted an instructable how to produce these sheets (Link).

Drill a hole in a cloth pin. Hang some bonsai wire in the hole and wrap it around the cloth pin. Fix the cloth pin to the bonsai wire with shrink tubing.

The other end of the wire is wrapped around the screw on the lamp holder. Watch the video for a detailed description.

After you have connected everything you can align the lighting to you. The best way is to look into the camera of the laptop and turn the selfie sticks until you are satisfied with the indirect lighting.

The system can either be attached to a 12 Volt power adapter or to a battery. With three 18650 batteries in series connected to a battery management systems, the tree lamps run around 1 hour. It is possible to record videos with this equipment in complete darkness.

The time required to assemble or disassemble the system is between 7 to 10 minutes.