How to Make RGB LED Matrix Lamp With Hot Glue Stick and Arduino

Hi friends, In this instructables i will show you how I made this RGB LED Matrix Lamp With Hot Glue Stick and Arduino nano.

This is a must try project if you are an Arduino enthusiast, the project not only looks amazing but it also provides an endless option to reprogram the LED as per your taste, so if you are a hobbyist this should be in your desk.

What does this project do and why use glue sticks?

This lamp illuminates different colors and creates a colorful view, In the camera the true colors are not that great, But if you see with real eyes you will be amazed by the colors.

The ARGB strip is known for its colors and this Strip is able to produce 16m colors.

The glue sticks works as a diffuser and it absorbs light, This property of the glue stick makes it a perfect fit for use in this project.

I have created a matrix of 4x4 and here all the individual LED emits different colors and this can be changed as per your needs by rewriting the arduino codes.

With this being said now, we will prepare materials that are essential to build this RGB LED matrix lamp

Supplies

To make the project compact I will use Nano, If you don't have Nano you can also use Uno (same circuit and codes)

• Arduino nano
• WS2812B LED strips
• Jumper wires
• Nano programming cable
• Glue sticks x 4
• Cardboard to build the casing
• Hot glue
• Soldering iron and lead
• Power bank
• Ruler and paper cutter

Step 1: Preparing LED Strips

We are not using normal RGB strip in this project, we are using ARGB LED strips.

Addressable RGB, here the individual LED on a strip can be addressed, in short, we can control the colors emitted by a single LED on the strip and vary the factors like colors and timing.

These LED has 3 pins, 2 for positive and negative power supply and the remaining one for digital input or code from the controller.

Cut the LED from the strip, I will be using 4 since I'm making a 4x4 matrix, Remove the adhesive from the back and place the strips on cardboard.

Repeat the same steps for the other 3 strips too, and make a note of the pin on the strips.

We are using 16 LEDs from the strip, Before soldering note the direction of signal flow of the LED

Step 2: Arranging ARGB LED Strips

After we place the LED on the cardboard, check if all the strips are sealed to the base this is because few strips come with poor adhesive and this may cause problems later.

Now we can start to connect the wires to LED strip, if you are a beginner seek the help of an adult in soldering, because the pins of the led strip are close to each other and if you miss solder rework may consume extra time.

I used the wire pieces of jumper wires, and to identify the connections I used the wire of specific colors.

This step takes time and after you solder all the wires in the end add female jumper wires and the end of which should be secured with the hot glue.

If you have soldered the other terminals of write well no need to secure them again with hot glue.

This was the main part of the project and now we have finished it, the remaining steps are easy and we will see it further.

Step 3: Arduino Code

If you are using the same number of LED like i did no need of making any changes to the code, if your count is different than mine you might need to change one part of code (highlighted on the image)

Change the number of LED as per your need, in my case it was 16, change it accordingly.

Rest of the code will remain same, Connect your nano board to the computer and open the IDE software and paste the below code.

The code is given below and the name of file is tube light project.

Check for the proper board type and port and click on upload button, if you face any issues at the time of upload you might need to check for libraries, if you are still not able to figure it out in some cases you can ask me in the comments.

After the code is done uploading to the board, Disconnect the wires.

Step 4: Circuit Diagram

If someone asks what is the easiest task that a hobbyist could do, I will show them this circuit diagram!

Indeed everyone will because the circuit is very straight forward, the ARGB strip has 3 pins for connections, The positive pin, Di or digital input and lastly the gnd.

Connect the Di pin of the strip to D6 pin of nano, whereas the other 2 are connected with the +5v and gnd pin of nano.

After this circuit connection is complete, connect the USB to the nano and the other end to the power bank.

The LED on the strip will start emitting beautiful colors, if any of your led strip is not glowing check for the connections again on that particular part.

This completes the circuit for this project, pending now is putting this up together and we will do that now in next steps

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Step 5: Adding Glue Stick

Glue this board that has led to the top of the box that holds all the electronics together.

Now the diffuser will be placed on top of all these LEDS on the strip, i marked 5cms on each gluestick(my length of gluestick was 20cms)

Repeat the same steps for other 3 sticks, in my case i will get 4 pieces of stick from each glue sticks

Cut the marked areas, now heat the glue gun and just touch the tip of these each stick and place it on top of the LED.

Repeat the same step for other 15 stick and wait to dry, after all the sticks are dry, add a drop of glue on all these and gently place a piece of cardboard.

This completes the diffuser part, now organise all the electronics inside the base below.

Step 6: How to Use

Using this light is very simple, All you need is power bank.

Just connect the power bank to the nano board and watch the LED turn to on.

This illuminates crazy color combinations and if you know how to program you can also change the colors as per your taste since the LED are programmable and there is no limit to generating color combinations.

If you want to make me the v2 version that will be using the 3d printed parts let me know in the comments section as i think much more functionality could be added here.

Hope you found this project useful and interesting, Give a try to build this and create an amazing lamp for yourselves or gift to your loved ones.

Step 7: Working Video

Did you know that RGB LED strips can generate 16M colors? I know most of them don't!

The video here shows the step by step tutorial to build this amazing project and clean steps explaining the soldering of wires to connect the LED strip.

Watch the video in which I showed you the work, The generation of colors and their transformation from one shade to another is very good.

Thats all for this project, if you have any questions put it in the comments and i will be replying to you very soon, Have an amazing day :)