WLED Key Light

[mathias]

Plan is to build 2 lights for my desk, connect WLED to HomeAsssistant; and replace the often-unresponsive Key Light that I already have plus be able to balance light from both sides.

Case and ideas from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4697291

Parts tested:

WLED controllers: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008046766263.html

• would work fine for 5VDC LED strips by passing through usb 5VDC. I chose to go with 12vdc led strips for brighter lights

LED strips: https://www.btf-lighting.com/products/5m-5050-rgbw-led-strip-lights-rgbww-led-strips-lighting-4-in-1-rgbww-led-strip-rgbw-5pin-60leds-m-12v-24v-waterproof-mixed-color~~

• The above LED strip was 5 connectors and "non-addressable"
• also ordered and tried: BTF WS2811 12vdc strip. Don’t think I need addressable LEDs (a feature of digital LED strips) and I didn’t feel like the color temperature flose to white was easy to tune. I’d rather have a RGB+W non-addressable LED strip after all

QuinLED Dig-Quad. Very nice WLED controller with 4 main channels. I’ll be using one of these to drive both lights.

[raster]

"replace", eh? What will you do with the old Key Light?

[reconbot]

You should make a batman signal instead, people will ask what's that shadow on your face and you can just be like "I am the night" and have home assistant take that keyword to turn off all your lights.

[mathias]

[mathias]

More seriously @reconbot, I debated making an “on air” sign but typically I’m the only one here upstairs, so it wouldn’t make sense to put it outside my office door.

My immediate concern is getting lighting working for meetings / webcam calls. 😬

[keithamus]

I'd recommend something like the QuinLed-Uno for a bit more of a turnkey controller; it has the necessary fuses and capacitors to make controlling large arrays a lot easier.

Additionally a WS8212b Matrix board (such as the Adafruit Neopixel 8x8 here: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1487) will allow for a more consistent grid and save some amount of effort.

[mathias]

From the Thingiverse page:

LED Strips: I used 12 Strips of 15cm
(for each key light)

So. 180cm of LED lights, where I ordered 12VDC lights w/ 60 LEDS per meter. Those are rated at 14.4 w/m, and we're at nearly two meters so let's say ~29 watts.
Laptop-quality USBC charger may work, if the WLED modules ask for enough watts.

I also don't need super-bright lights. I might end up using less LEDs per light.

[mathias]

From the Aliexpress listing:

The power supply circuit is designed to carry a current of 2A.

12VDC at 29 watts => 2.42 amps. so I will have to use less LEDs.

[keithamus]

WLED let’s you limit the max brightness to avoid pulling too much power.

[mathias]

WLED controllers are here and I got them flashed with the Chrome based flasher. They're on my wifi and in my HA now.

Next up is to wait for new LED light strips, and also to finish fixing my 3D printer so that I can print the models above.

[mathias]

I may use the "non-addressable" WRGB strip as under-desk lighting or bookcase lighting, when I remodel my home office. We'll see!

[mathias]

Related: I also found this! https://optimizeyourbiology.com/diy-full-spectrum-sad-lamp

[mathias]

also a possible stand/arm to adapt: https://www.printables.com/model/199537-g-clamp-tripod-for-webcam?lang=en
or https://www.printables.com/model/1014506-monitor-stand-clamp-for-funkyarts-arm + https://www.printables.com/model/647794-flexible-sturdy-phone-arm-100-printed

[mathias]

@keithamus I ended up with a QuinLED Dig Quad. Got it going tonight and it is great! Now I’m figuring out strips.