A night light is a device that is used not only for illumination in the dark, but also as a decorative element. It helps to create an atmosphere of coziness and comfort in the room. You can find a variety of nightlights in lighting stores, but you can also make them yourself. An LED night light can be made from various materials at hand - music discs, paper, glass, fabric. The most important thing is to select and create an electronic circuit.
Advantages of an LED night light
It is quite easy to make a night light from LEDs. The scheme does not cause difficulties even for inexperienced people. The advantages of an LED light source include:
- low power consumption;
- long service life;
- availability;
- variety of application schemes;
- quality of light;
- good illumination;
- lack of heating;
- safety.
A homemade LED night light can be used for illumination, allowing you to navigate in the dark. The device can be installed in any convenient place.
Types of lamps
All LED bedside lamps can be divided into two groups according to the way they are fed. These include:
- Autonomous. Operated by rechargeable battery or batteries.
- Stationary. Plugged into an outlet.
Stand-alone products can be moved and placed at any convenient place. Disadvantages include wasting batteries that need to be replaced periodically. A model that draws electricity from an outlet can only be installed near the power point. You do not need to buy consumables for such a lamp.
Night lights with motion sensor
The devices can be equipped with a variety of sensors that make it easier to use. They do not need to be turned on, they are activated on their own. It is not recommended to put such nightlights in the room, as they can fix any arbitrary movement and turn on. Usually they are installed in closets, garages, hallways. The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted to avoid false alarms on pets. The range is 3-5 meters.
Night light made of wood
This type of night light is completely safe. The wood is processed in such a way that there is no release of harmful substances when heated. Wooden LED nightlights are even installed in the nursery, as they are durable, environmentally friendly and difficult to break.
Built-in models can be placed in interior items or furniture. Used for decoration. The disadvantages include the fact that over time, backlighting in one place can get bored, and it is difficult to remove a built-in light source.
Necessary materials
To create a night light, you need to purchase LEDs or a matrix of diodes. The quantity is chosen according to personal preference. Better to buy bright multi-colored LEDs. The amperage of each component must not exceed 20 mA.
You will also need to buy resistors. 1 current limiting resistor is required to create a series circuit. If the circuit is in series, all diodes should be of the same rating. When wiring a parallel connection, a resistor is selected for each LED.
You will also need a semiconductor diode and a plug to connect to the network.An old disc, a bottle and other objects made of different materials can act as a body. The body can be assembled by yourself.
Of the tools, you need a plastic plate, screwdrivers, a knife, a heat shrink tube, a soldering iron, and pliers.
The simplest scheme
When creating a do-it-yourself LED night light, you need a powerful 1 W white LED. The circuit is transformerless, stable and does not overheat. To ensure normal operation, you need to select a 250-630 capacitor with a capacity of 1 μF. The LED is soldered through a current-limiting resistor. A diode bridge is assembled from 4 rectifier diodes. The recommended amperage for each component is 1 A, with a reverse voltage of at least 1000 V. An example of such diodes is the 1N4007.
The entire circuit is fixed in the case with hot melt glue.
Assembly Algorithm
First of all, you need to solder a circuit of LEDs, resistors and other components. After soldering, the contact points must be insulated with heat shrinkage.
Next, the body of the future lamp is assembled. There should be a diagram inside. The body can be made from any materials at hand. For example, clear plastic items from CD cases will do. They are glued together with strong glue, and a disc is placed on the bottom so that the light is reflected from it. The entire structure must be degreased with alcohol. If desired, you can glue the legs to the assembled lamp.
A lamp on a fan is perfect for a bedroom. You need to buy a large fan and attach a soldered circuit to it.
You can place an LED night light, made in the form of a rug, near the bed. To make it, you don't even need to solder - just purchase a matrix of LEDs and weave it into the carpet.
Night light starry sky"
This night light simulates the night sky with constellations. For manufacturing, you will need a glass jar with a lid, foil, an awl, scissors, an LED flashlight and a tray.
On the foil, you need to draw a sky with stars in any order the master wants. The sheet must be laid on a flat surface and with an awl make holes for the stars. The foil is cut to fit the height of the can. The paper is rolled into a tube and placed in a jar. A flashlight is placed under the can. When you turn it on, you can see the glow from the night light on the walls and ceiling.
In the same way, you can make a do-it-yourself night light from LEDs and a tin can. It needs to be painted, all stickers removed and holes drilled. A candle, lantern or garland is placed inside.
Moon Night Light
You will need an LED strip and 2 transistors. They will regulate the device and turn the board on / off.
To make a plywood night light with LEDs in the shape of the moon, you need a sheet of plywood that is cut out in a circle. On top you need to glue the printed image of the moon. Then you need to drill 2 holes for attaching and pulling wires. The base of the luminaire is glued to the plywood. After drying, an LED strip is glued around the perimeter.
Night light from an electric plug or fumigator
You will need LEDs, 2 resistors, 2 capacitors, a zener diode, a heat shrink tube.
The grounding contacts are removed from the plug. You also need to remove the clamp and grind off the rim on the LED with a file.
A fumigator night light is made in a similar way. It must be disassembled, the heating element removed and the LED replaced. The voltage passes through the capacitor. A rectifier bridge is installed at the output, which smooths out ripple and equalizes the voltage.
You can put on the plug a cover, which is made by yourself or purchased in a store.
How to choose a purchased night light
If it is not possible to make a lamp for your home yourself, you can buy it in a store. The range of products on offer is wide, but you need to be able to understand the characteristics.
You should not take too cheap models. They are made from poor quality materials and can be unsafe. Also, do not take too bright devices with neon colors. They are usually made from hazardous materials.
A lamp in the form of a toy, sun, star, fairytale character and other original shape is suitable for a children's room. It is better to take a device made of high quality plastic and wood. A durable plexiglass and LED night light is also suitable.
It is necessary to decide in advance in what place the lamp will stand. It should fit into the interior and complement it. It is desirable that its design be similar to the style of the rest of the lighting fixtures in the room.
It is better to take a white night light by color. Eyes will not get tired of him, and he will successfully fit into any interior of the room. It can be installed both in the nursery and in the bathroom.
