LED Light Probe - Easy Soldering Project
08-22-2015, 04:42 AM
#1
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Location: Denver, CO
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LED Light Probe - Easy Soldering Project
Many times I have wished I could have an LED on the end of a stick or probe to better see into some deep dark area. While working to lubricate parts inside the pillar of the White Rotary 11, I had an idea of how to easily do it. We obtained the parts from a hardware store, Radio Shack and a thrift store. The finished LED light probe is shown below.
(LED Light Probe)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]528454[/ATTACH]
Trying to use a flashlight or other external light source poses a few problems:
- The light source itself can pose an obstacle if it is shining along the same path you are trying to view.
- Objects in front of what you are viewing may cast shadows on the area you want to see.
- Objects in front of your viewing area are brightly lit, impairing ability to see past them into darker areas.
Using a small and localized light source makes a pretty dramatic difference in the detail you can see. Seeing all that I haven't been able to before, I'm thinking I should have done this sooner.
A view of the White Rotary 11 main shaft and stitch length regulator, as seen from the pillar bottom, is shown below.
(White Rotary 11 - Inside Pillar)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]528455[/ATTACH]
The brass tube I used is 7/32 inch, no larger than the LED itself. With its small diameter it can be easily guided to where light is needed. Objects behind the tip of the probe are not illuminated.
Apart from being useful, this is also very easy soldering practice. Only a few dollars in parts and a very forgiving project, this would be a chance to practice soldering on something other than a sewing machine.
If any of you are interested, I'll add some additional pictures and the steps of how it went together. The brass tube, a thrift store transformer, an LED and a resistor are all that are needed. Below is a picture of the parts used to make it.
(Light Probe Parts)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]528456[/ATTACH]
John
(LED Light Probe)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]528454[/ATTACH]
Trying to use a flashlight or other external light source poses a few problems:
- The light source itself can pose an obstacle if it is shining along the same path you are trying to view.
- Objects in front of what you are viewing may cast shadows on the area you want to see.
- Objects in front of your viewing area are brightly lit, impairing ability to see past them into darker areas.
Using a small and localized light source makes a pretty dramatic difference in the detail you can see. Seeing all that I haven't been able to before, I'm thinking I should have done this sooner.
A view of the White Rotary 11 main shaft and stitch length regulator, as seen from the pillar bottom, is shown below.
(White Rotary 11 - Inside Pillar)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]528455[/ATTACH]
The brass tube I used is 7/32 inch, no larger than the LED itself. With its small diameter it can be easily guided to where light is needed. Objects behind the tip of the probe are not illuminated.
Apart from being useful, this is also very easy soldering practice. Only a few dollars in parts and a very forgiving project, this would be a chance to practice soldering on something other than a sewing machine.
If any of you are interested, I'll add some additional pictures and the steps of how it went together. The brass tube, a thrift store transformer, an LED and a resistor are all that are needed. Below is a picture of the parts used to make it.
(Light Probe Parts)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]528456[/ATTACH]
John
08-22-2015, 05:28 AM
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: North Central, NC
Posts: 2,741
I can see so many uses for this that it is amazing that someone has not made something like this before. Maybe you should think about a patent? Right, there is probably an expensive one out on the market already so thanks for posting this. It really is such a great idea and extremely handy tool.
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