Sky on the Wall (Mood Lighting-IR Remote)

I love LED and stars, and after saw another instructables about star constellation and some mood lighting that was very inspired and I decided I wanted to take that idea and want to create some mood lighting with some skies component such as stars, and cloud, for the bonus there will be some effect for rain and thunder. I'm so excited about this project because this is for my own bedroom decoration.

Okay let's get started!


This is the video of my Star Constellations - Sky on the Wall.
(change the quality for a better view)

Step 1: Parts and Tools

Here is all you will need:

(1) Arduino UNO R3
(20 plus) LEDs Super Bright (white, red, green, blue, yellow, RGB flash)
(13) 100 ohm / 220 ohm resistors
(1) Recycled paperboard
(1) IR Receiver
(1) Optical Fibers
(1) 9V battery
(1) IR-Remote
(1) on-off switch
(4) Old-broken CD
(1) Unused CD case
- Fishing line
- Breadboard
- Shrink tubing
- Copper Metal Foil Tape
- Rainbow wire
- Male header extended
- Cotton
- Transparent Plastic Sheet

Optional :
- some knickknacks
- nut and bolts
- Acrylic paint color


Tools :
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Mini drill
- Pliers
- Cutter
- PVC Glue
- Hot Glue
- Helping hands (if you don't have it, you can build it from my helping hands instructable)

Step 2: Planning

#1 Cloud = Rain Cloud
#2 Cloud = Thunder Cloud

You can print the space image from google, but I choose to paint it on my board.

For the star constellation, you can choose the stars as you want. For my main star was my own horoscope, Aries.

Step 3: The Circuit

Let's build it on breadboard first. First, lets put the components on a breadboard so we could see how it worked and how to fit it onto the perfboard. The circuit diagram was made with Fritzing.

IR Receiver that I used is TSOP 1736, the pin already on image attached. And for setting your IR remote you can go to Enjoying Electronics's ible'  How to Use IR Remotes with Arduino  to learn it. And trust me, it's really easy to follow.

How many LEDs do you want to make this project, is depend on your decide.

Here the list of the LEDs in this project :

Star Constellation
1) 3 white LEDs (group 1)
2) 4 white LEDs (group2)
3) 3 white LEDs (group 3)

#1 Cloud (Rain Cloud)
1) 1 blue 1 white LED (for the cloud)
2) 4 white LEDs (for rain effect)
3) 1 RGB flash (for rainbow effect)

#2 Cloud (Thunder Cloud)
1) 1 orange 1 white LED (for the sunny cloud)
2) 1 red 1 blue LED (for gloomy effect)
3) 1 red 1 orange LED (for thunder light)

Additional LEDs for fiber optic
1) 6 white LEDs


Pin connections:
Star group 1                       Digital Pin 2
Star group 2                       Digital Pin 3
Star group 3                       Digital Pin 4
Blue-white                          Digital Pin 5
White-white                        Digital Pin 6
RGB                                     Digital Pin 7
White-orange                     Digital Pin 8
Red-blue                             Digital Pin 9
Red-orange                        Digital Pin 10
IR Receiver                         Digital Pin 11


Test everything out and make sure that you're circuit is going to work before you start soldering.

Step 4: The Code

Upload the code into your Arduino. And don't forget to change the result.value with your own number. If you still don't get it how to set your IR remote please go to this ible'  How to use IR Remotes with Arduino by Enjoying Electronics. It's really helpfull and really easy to follow.

change the code (result.value == .................) with your remote number.

You can change the code and make another combination of the LED as you like.
And you can use TV remotes, DVD remote, Car MP3 remotes, all remote will work.

Step 5: Prepare the Board

First thing to do is to figure out how big you want to make this project. I'm using recycled paperboard that not too thin but not too heavy as well. The size is about 80 x 70 cm.

We can gluing some printing paper with picture of Space stars for instantly, but I prefer to paint it with acrylic paint color.  Because the color is not easily fade and durable than the printed images.

Step 1
Paint the paperboard with black color. (see image 1)

Step 2
Spray it with some spray paint, make a sprinkle stars effect with blue, cream, orange color. (see image 2)

Step 3
Make a little star-shaped images on thick paper. Then cut with a cutter. do with carefully. (see image 3)

Step 4
Poke the star-shaped with cotton bud, using white and yellow color to make a little stars around the paper board. (see image 4)

Step 5
Make the little stars as much as you want. (see image 5 &6)

Step 6: Circuit Layout for LEDs

Second thing to do is to figure out how many LEDs you want to be placing for the constellations and for the clouds.

So what I did is I wanted to have around 10 white LEDs for the Stars constellations because my board was not too large. I want to make my horoscope (Aries) on star map with 4 LEDs, and the rest I'll just put it randomly around the board.

Step 1
Draw the dot on board for later placed the LEDs. Then you need to drill a hole just slightly bigger then the LED size. (see image 2)

Step 2
Putting all the led leads through the holes in the paper board so all the LEDs are sticking out of one side of the board and all the leads are out of the other.  For make it easier when soldering, I'm using some sticker to marked the ground lead. (see image 3)

Step 3
Draw the circuit with pencil, be careful with the positive line and ground line. I make 3 groups of LED because I want to programmed it blinking separately. (see image 4)

Step 4
I used the Copper foil tape as the main circuit for this constellations. (see image 5)

Step 5
Solder every junction of copper foil tape so they will be connected well together. And then solder the positive leads of the LEDs to one side and the negative leads to the other set of copper foil tape. (see image 6)

Step 6
At the end of every positive lead solder the resistor (100 / 220 Ohm). You can set the brightness of your LED with the value of resistor. For my circuit, I'm using 100 ohm for every series. (see image 7)
 

Step 7: Attach the Wire

Step 1
At the end of every positive lead solder the resistor (100 / 220 Ohm) and then solder the other lead of the resistor with the cable. (see image 1)

Step 2
Solder the male header for every end of cables. It will be connect to Arduino. You can use a different color for each cable, that will make easier you to remember which group of the stars. For me, cause I run out of the cables, I'm using same color cable but I marked the tip of cable with marker. (see image 2)



 

Step 8: Prepare the Fiber Optic and Light Source

For the star constellations, we use fiber optic as little star. So it will use individual LEDs, but it will attach with the circuit that already attach on board.

Step 1
Prepare the optical fibers. I cut one by one the fiber, attach it one by one into the board. Be careful when you cut the fibers, it's really dangerous if you impaled, because the fragments will get into your blood stream. I recommend for using a rubber glove. (see image 1)

Step 2
Prepare the optical source. I use white LED that had both legs already soldered with cables. Not too long and not too short. Then cut the shrink tubing (Ø4mm) about 3 cm lengths. Assemble the LED and shrink tubing together, then using a soldering iron or a heat gun to shrink them together. (see image 2)
 

Step 9: Design the Star and Placing the Fibers

Step 1
Design your board. I draw (mirrored) the star constellations on board. Such as Libra Scales, Ursa Minor, Leo, Cancer, Cassiopeia, Lynx, and many more as you can see on my board. (see image 1)

Step 2
You can use a mini drill or needle to make a thin holes on board. But for me, I choose to using drill. Then gently attach a single fiber through the hole you have just made. From each star constellation, bundle it into one and attach into the LED. Use tape adhesive to brings together and tidying LED in good position (facing up). (see image 2)

Step 3
Placing the fibers takes a long time plus if you cut it one by one. Then other thing is, you have to gluing them so they can't move back and forth anymore. Use a wood glue. Don't use a hot glue, you can melt it. Then try the LED. (see image 3)

Step 4
Repeat the steps above until you finish the all star. It's kinda messy, but it's worthy at the end. (see image 4)

Step 5
After you finish placing all fibers, you can start to trim the extra lengths of fiber that have been pushed through to the other side. Once again, I recommend you to do it one by one. Hold the extra lengths of fiber with one hand and trim it carefully with scissors with the other hand. Then put the wasted fiber in one place such a plastic bag or useless mug for disposal later.
 

Step 10: Make the Clouds (framework)

Step 1
Draw 4 dots on CD. Then drill 0,8 mm holes over this CD. For get the same pattern, I drill 2 pieces of CD at once. (see image 1)

Step 2
This step just to make it easier to tie a CD with strings neatly. Make a thick roll of paper and inserted a small tape as ballast. Or you can use a toilet paper roll. (see image 2)

Step 3
Put the paper roll between two CDs. Make sure the inner side of the CD (mirror side, I don't know how to called it) facing each other. This can be use for reflect the light  from the LED then spread it to all around. (see image 3)

Step 4
Use a strings to tie between the CD, for the easiest way without make a knot just use a hot glue to attach the strings that already into the hole. (see image 4 & 5)
 
Step 5
Make an extended strings for easy to hang. (see image 6)
 
Step 6
Repeat the steps above to make the second clouds.
 

Step 11: Make the Clouds (accessory)

# Thunder Clouds #
 
Step 1
Beside using an old CDs, we’re gonna using the CD case too (in case you don't have an acrylic sheet). Draw the thunder on it. And cut the image neatly. Be careful the CD case was very fragile. (see image 1)
 
Step 2
I’m using a string and hot glue to attached them together. Then tie the strings right under the CD hole. Give a space about 2-3 cm for the LED be placed right on the top of the thunder piece. (see image 2 & 3)
 
 
# Rain Clouds #
 
Step 1
I’m using some of my mother's knick knacks that like a seed shape. Transparent and crystal clear, perfect for rain effect. (see image 4)
 
Step 2
Insert the knick knacks with the string. Don’t forget to tie the end of the string. Make it about 4 or just 3, but it’s up to you. (see image 5)
 
Step 3
Drill the CD for additional holes. Attach the series of knick knacks one by one. Don’t forget to tie it. (see image 6 & 7)
 

Step 12: Prepare the LED's Cloud

I marked the cathode (negative lead) with sticker, so I don't get confused with too many LED that I work with.

Step 1
Solder the anode (positive lead) with resistor. (RGB LED) shrink tubing is essential to prevent shorting. (see image 1)

Step 2
For 2 LEDs series with 1 resistor (Blue-white), solder the positive LEDs together with resistor. Just forget for a moment about cathode. We'll solder them together with other LED, so it will more efficient. (see image 2)

Step 3
I'm using small straw to protect the resistor and to prevent shorting. (see image 3)

Step 4
Beside for prevent shorting, the straw can use for attach the sticker for name the LED. (see image 4)

Step 5
Solder together the cathode (negative side) of LED with short jumper wire, then solder them again with a long cable. (see image 5)
 

Step 13: Insert LEDs

#1 Rain Cloud

Step 1
Attach the White-white (4 white LEDs) through the CD hole. And put it right above the knick knacks. Arrange the LED so it will shine right into the knick knacks. (see image 1)

Step 2
Attach the white-blue and RGB LED through the CD hole. (see image 2)


#2 Thunder Cloud

Step 1
Attach the red-orange LEDs through the CD hole. And put it right above the acrylic (thunder). Arrange the LED so it will shine right above it. (see image 3)

Step 2
Attach the red-blue and white-orange LEDs through the CD hole. (see image 3)


# For both clouds
Don't forget to solder together the ground/negative lead from the all LED in one cloud. Then solder again with long cable. The both ground cable will be join together at the end. (see image 4)
 

Step 14: Make the Fluffy Cloud Part 1

Step 1
Cut the plastic sheet. (see image 1)

Step 2
Apply the PVC glue on the surface of plastic. (see image 2)

Step 3
Paste the cotton all over the plastic. Just leave it for a moment, and let it dry. (see image 3)
 

Step 15: Make the Fluffy Cloud Part 2

After inserting and assemble the LEDs, you can start gluing the cotton and wrapping around the CD. For make it easier when gluing cotton on CD, hanging the CD framework on a hook. Then you will get a good cloud shape.

Step 16: Arduino and IR Receiver on Board

Step 1
Use a bolt and nut to attach the Arduino on board. (see image 1)

Step 2
Drill and insert the IR receiver through the holes. Then solder all pins with cables and make a note on board about the pin connection, so you won't misplaced it. (see image 2)

Step 3
I'm using 9 volts battery to power up the Arduino. But you can use an adapter instead.
 

Step 17: Hanging on the Wall

Turn off the light and LED it glow baby!!

Don't forget to give me a feed back or advice.

Have fun :D


Greetings from Indonesia!!