12v Power Source for LED

[gbutts9]

I have a basic Printrbot Metal Simple and I am hoping to mount a 40mm LED 'angel eye' around the extruder to provide light on the bed. I have designed and printed a mount and I have the LED ring ready to go.

My question is whether there is a readily accessible 12v source that I could use to power the light. I am happy for it to be on whenever there is power to the printer.

I know that I could probably splice into the 6-pin ATX connector but I was wondering if there was any other way. Clearly I don't want to do anything that would cause me to fry the board.

Thanks in advance.

Geoff

[RetireeJay]

Use any pair of yellow and black wires coming from the ATX power supply. Yellow is +12V, black is ground. No need to splice into the specific ones being used for the Printrboard.

[gbutts9]

Thanks for your response but the current model Metal Simple doesn't have an ATX power supply like my old wooden Plus. This one has a simple 12v 6A black brick. The ATX connector (maybe I got the wrong name) I was talking about is where the power connects to the board.

[Willy]

You could use the power from the fan, ie make a Y cable, when the fan turns on it will power the led's. The led's shouldnt draw that much power. (I am guessing, retireejay may be able to say otherwise)

Not sure if the wires are strong enough to support the load.

[orangefurball]

[RetireeJay]

Actually, if you do not have a heated bed, then the connector for the heated bed does have continuous +12V. (It switches the ground on and off to control the heat.)

Ground can be found at any of several places. However, the easiest ground to pick up will be different depending on whether you have a Rev D or a Rev F board.

This seems to be such a common issue that I think Printrbot (or somebody) should offer a pre-built assembly with the barrel connector, the ATX-style plug for the board, and a fan plug already spliced in.

[Mooselake]

Where did you get that 40mm angel eye ring? The smaller ones can be tough to find, not enough small angels willing to give up an eye...

Kirk

[thawkins]

[gbutts9]

Thanks all for the responses.

I have Rev F board with the black/red barrel to ATX power leads. I will have another look at that. I had originally discounted it as the wire loops between the ATX connectors are quite tight and are bent over tightly so they clear the desktop when the printer is upright. That seems to be the best answer though. Thank you.

I got the angel eyes on eBay. The site here won't let me post a link - just search "40mm angel eyes".

I've designed a bracket/mount to attach to the Z probe and hold the LED ring around the extruder up at the top where it is clear of the printer superstructure at low Z heights. I haven't fitted it as I am printing other stuff and want to put off the nausea of realigning the probe for a little while. I have printed a prototype. I've included a photo and can attach another once it is installed. When the mount is finalised I'll post in on Thingiverse.

Geoff

[jolars]

I am using a 12V power supply for my bot and heated bet.

I found a molex power supplied 5mm LED that was bright enough to illuminate my print area and then build this to house it:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:628977

The light is on when the bot is powered and off when its not. Works great

[Mooselake]

[Bill.Brown1951]

Could you please post the .stl file for your light ring?

[Willy]

There are several light rings already available on Thingiverse. Here is a link to a LED light ring and some that look similar to above.
http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=LED+ring&sa=

[zhuhaiping]

stl file for your light ring?

[Willy]

I should mention if anyone is still reading this. I used a LED strip from a car battery jumper kit and a laptop brick type power supply from a dead laptop. I would post a pic yet photobucket is offline for maintenance

[bbrown64]

You did not mention of the LED will have their own switch to turn them on/ off. If you want to purchase a different power supply use the one that are drivers for LED strips. Such as this one.
Also would you share your design with us?

[Mooselake]

If you use one of these LED power supplies with the exposed terminals make sure to print a cover or find another way to enclose them. Electrocution isn't fun.

@bbrown64, did you see the article about the guy building the 70'+ sailboat in his front yard in Tulsa?

Kirk

[bbrown64]

Moose, I was over at Dougs house Saturday. He is the one with the 74' boat in his yard. I help him out on weekends. Except yesterday, I was there to build a small forge so I can heat treat some knives I plan on making soon.