How to make a LED projector of your own

It is always a great experience to create something new and worthwhile; thus, the prospect of creating a LED projector in the comfort of your own home in your spare time, and experiencing the great result and ultimately the satisfaction of viewing your own creation is something inexplicable. The LED projector can be built from materials available at home, by Using LED lights as a light source to view slide shows and can ultimately be even connected with MP4players with large LCD screens, to get a highly magnified image on the screen with best possible clarity. It has the advantage of being cheaper and more effective and above all self made. The few things that are required to create this projector can be easily bought from eBay or a local store nearby. Now, get started with the help of these instructions, and become the creator of a cool LED projector.

LED projector

Difficulty level : The difficulty level is moderate

The time required: The time required for the project is 2 hours, but it also depends on how quickly you can work and get the required materials

Estimated cost: Its about $100, or even less if you can use up all the things available at your home. You just need to purchase the LED lights and the Fresnel lens, that you can easily get from eBay.

Resources required: They are readily available at home and in the market. These include

- a cardboard box, or a tin box,

- sheets of tin foil to be used as reflectors( you may also use the aluminum foil if it is available at home),

- duct tape and adhesives,

- cylindrical glass or tube at least 4" long when cut,

- measuring scales for accuracy,

- Fresnel lens and magnifying glass,

- projector film or MP4player with a big screen,

- screen( here you may use a long white cloth, or even a white wall too as a screen).

Instructions

At the outset, you need is a tin or cardboard box, with its top surface removed for a better access. Then reach to around half way down the box length and put in a cardboard firmly taped to the surface with a Fresnel lens in it; cut a cardboard barrier with the same width as that of the box and make a square opening: cover it with tin foil for reflection of all the possible light. Now insert it very carefully in the box so that the Fresnel lens is about 3" away from the cardboard, now if you wish to make the images 3 x larger, then you need to put a cone and a condenser lens on the light for a brighter view.

Once this is done, in order to prevent light from escaping your projector, you need to cover the required areas; cut 3 small pieces of cardboard and wrap them in tin foil for maximum reflection; now, put them all around the Fresnel lens closely fit with each other to ensure that no light escapes.

Attach a magnifying glass to the cylinder that has been cut to about 3-4", you may use a disposable glass for the same or any other cylindrical item. Both the ends of the cylinder shall be free, and the lens shall be attached to one of the open ends. Fix this cylinder onto the box and in order to do this, you need to cut a hole in the box for aligning the Fresnel lens with the light source. You have to ensure that this set up remains stable, thus put in extra efforts to hold the lens in place by using an extra cardboard or anything that can be used for a permanent support. Turn your LED lights on and check for the focus on a screen; you can repeatedly focus in and out till you get the required image on the screen. Then, put a slide in front of your Fresnel lens to get a highly magnified image in the screen, and there you go... your projector starts functioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to prevent LED bright spots on the screen?

You need to adjust the Distance between the LED lights and the lens till the bright spots disappear.

How big an image can be created on the screen?

The image can be as big as you wish it to be, however its clarity and sharpness would eventually lessen with size. its upto you to decide the optimal balance.

What is the power source is not bright enough?

Use the best LED's available for generating the light.

From where to purchase the Fresnel lens?

The Fresnel lens and even the LED's are readily available in the market stores, but you can also purchase them from ebay.

Can silvered glass be used for reflecting light inside the Projector?

Yes but it would make it more fragile.

Quick Tips

To get the best shape for the Projector, use cardboard, and a good quality glass cutter. The LED's should be bundled together to make them a bright light source. Use duct tape to hold the Fresnel lens in place in the cardboard.

Things to watch out for

The LED gets really hot when under prolonged use, so be careful when handling them just after usage and don't burn yourself.