Diy Micro-LIGHT for SJCAM M10

Action cameras have become very popular in our days, but when there is not enough ambient light they suffer even at sort distances. There for, it is always handy to carry in your pocket a micro-light which will help your camera and save the day!

This one can be used as a pocket flashlight too.

The M10 action camera comes with a multifunction clip equipped with two female ¼ camera screws, one on top and one at the bottom. The idea is to mound/screw the micro-LIGHT on top/bottom of the multifunction clip.

As with any project we must set the requirements to meet the purpose.

So, the micro-LIGHT it has to be easy to make, easy to use, cheap, lightweight, small, portable and able to produce diffused light for video recording.

One advantage of dome car LED lights is the diffused light they are producing by factor.

We are going to take advantage of that and make our own video micro-LIGHT for the M10.

The micro-LIGHT is intended for indoors but can also be used outdoors at short distance.

In most cases the dome LED comes in an array of multiple led connected in parallel and serial in order to meet the car voltage witch is from 12V – 13.5V

The easiest way to use 12V is the 23A batteries but remember, these are button cell batteries meaning they do not have a lot of capacity so, for long time operation the use of more than one in parallel is a must. An other plus is the fact that these batteries are super small to carry in a pocket and fairly cheap.

1) HEX head cap screw ¼ inch x ½ inch long (x1)

2) HEX lock nut ¼ inch (x1)

3) Black ABS Potting Box, 40 x 40 x 20mm (x1)

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/enclosures-storage-m...

4) 12VDC LED car dome light (x1)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-HID-White-48-COB-LED-Pa...

5) Miniature Slide Switch - 2 Way On Off - SPST (x1)

6) 23A 12V batteries 2-3 pieces

7) 23A battery holders (optional)

8) Some thin wire

9) Floor Self adhesive protective thin pads

10) A thin sheet of metal 3.5mm x 1.8mm (x2)

11) Double-sided adhesive tape

The LED bought uses a step-down regulator to 8.5V as the specific LED array operates at that voltage.

Not all dome LED use a step-down regulator so if the one you have comes without regulator don't worry.

With or without regulator cut the positive and negative wire from the LED and pass them through the hole you just open at the enclosure. See (step 12) picture for more details on how to connect the wires.

Really there is not much to explain.

Follow the steps on every picture from step 1- step 16. It's so easy to make one!

Note: A more sophisticated way to achieve the desired 12V is the use of Li-ion batteries in conjunction with a step-up regulator and a USB charger but this configuration will cost a lot more and also requires more space. If you came such a long way, it could be a good idea to use more than one dome LED to make it more powerful and even add a brightness adjustment circuit.

Hope you like it!