I've been wanting to build an LED video light. Sound's simple enough, but I like to complicate things slightly. So I want to design a modular system that uses a single custom designed PCB, but that can have many copies of that custom designed PCB in one enclosure to make a bigger "panel-style" LED video light, or just one or two of them for a smaller light.

Also to complicate things further, I want the ability to choose either 12v or 18v power (without wasting a lot of power in a big dropper resistor for 18v) so that I can use an 18v LION powertool battery to power a portable version of the light.

I also want to design & create a modular case system that can be printed on my 3d-printer (max 220mm x 220mm printbed capacity)

These are the 2 main files for this modular system, namely the base and the lid. The lid will need to be printed in Transparent (best) or White (more diffuse) filament, the base can be printed in whatever colour floats your boat!!!

I've made a series of videos about this design and build process,

Part 1a is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv1kpSIW-Y8

Part 1b is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHVsL4AgfXE

Part 2a is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_GyhGFFLRU

Part 2b is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE0ZU8_9jdA

Part 3a is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv740-sDYrs

Part 3b is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbu28E6quuM

Part 3c is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUtJRHHo37A

The files for getting the PCB made are also included in the files, labelled "FAB-Modular LED lights-A.2.zip" . The LED's I used were from digikey - https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/products/detail/creeled-inc/JE2835AWT-R-U40GA0000-N0000001/10820233

You can choose to populate either side of the PCB depending on whether you want to power from 12v or 18v ( 4 or 6 LED's in series ) and also choose the required resistor to match. (I used 6 ohm resistors for 12v with the LED's linked above)

Also in the files are various clips for joining 2 or more light-modules together, and also a freestanding base with a housing for both a 5.2mm DC socket and a PWM control ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B093RKZBFM was what I used for dimming)

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Anet

Printer: 

A8

Rafts:

No

Supports: 

Yes

Resolution:

0.28mm (for speed) 0.2mm (regular)

Infill: 

10%

Filament: Sunlu PETG Transparent

Category: Camera