GoPro Ring Light // How-To | I Like To Make Stuff
22,860Check out how I made a ring light for a GoPro with a Neopixel ring, a Pro Trinket and a 3d printed diffusion ring!
BE SURE TO WATCH THE FOLLOW UP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilTuVXCrWAI
-----------
More info at http://www.iliketomakestuff.com/make-gopro-ring-light
Holder/Diffuser .stl file on Thingiverse
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:989366
123d Design
http://www.123dapp.com/design
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED
http://amzn.to/1MRk9CH - Pro Trinket
http://amzn.to/1hZ92L4 - NeoPixel ring (12)
http://amzn.to/1KhAyON - 100K potentiometer
http://amzn.to/1KhAApU - Plastic knob
http://amzn.to/1EnBKiK - Battery pack power bank
http://amzn.to/1V7kbYt - Ultimaker 2 Extended
http://amzn.to/1V7kpi7 - Transparent filament (2.85mm)
http://amzn.to/1hZ9zwo - GoPro Hero 3 (there are newer ones, but this is what I used)
http://amzn.to/1P9bHN6 - Soldering iron
http://amzn.to/1hm39qY - Wire strippers
http://amzn.to/1eVTjKG - Thin solder
http://amzn.to/1DtOnsn - Fiskars cutting mat
http://amzn.to/1NDrg1A - Hook up wire
The NeoPixel ring (12) fits perfectly around the lens of the GoPro.
I'm driving it with an Arduino compatible Pro Trinket, from Adafruit.
I'm using a 100k potentiometer for changing the brightness.
The whole thing is powered with a cheap battery cell via USB.
I removed the long leads from the potentiometer with some nippers.
To prepare them, I pre-tinned all of the connections on the components.
Pre tinning the connects make it quick and easy to add the necessary connections.
I did added the wires to the potentiometer terminals too.
The Neopixel ring uses 5v, Ground and a Data Input for addressing the LEDs.
I connected the ring to the potentiometer at the GND and 5v.
Then these were connected to the Pro Trinket terminals for GND and 5v.
I connected the Neopixel "Data Input" wire to a digital pin on the Trinket.
The middle terminal of the potentiometer was attached to an analog pin on the Trinket.
I modified a simple example Adafruit sketch to dim the LEDs. It's linked above.
I plugged the Trinket to the power cell with a USB cable, and it lit right up!
Next, I had to figure out how to mount it on the GoPro.
Using some digital calipers, I measured all the parts of all of the components.
*Make sure you measure EVERY dimension, and be as precise as possible*
From those measurements, I modeled a holder in 123D Design. It's much easier to make than you might think. This was my first piece model in this app.
The finished model (.stl) was brought into my slicing software to prepare for 3d printing.
I printed the piece in transparent filament so it could also act as a diffusion ring for the LEDs.
I started inserting the components.
I made slots to allow the wires to feed through, so that the ring can fit as close to the camera body as possible.
I wired all of the pieces up, just like before.
I made two tabs to fit the holes in the Trinket.
The rest of the wires were trimmed, and soldered back in place.
The final piece was to add a knob to the potentiometer.
The ring fits around the lens with just enough tension to hold it in place.
It worked, and it's BRIGHT!
Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ILikeToMakestuffSubscribe
Check out my TopVideos!: http://bit.ly/ILikeToMakeStuffTopVideos
Learn 3d modeling, get digital plans, and cool merch at
https://iliketomakestuff.com
Want to support ILTMS? Get exclusive content and more...
http://www.iliketomakestuff.com/patreon
FOLLOW:
http://instagram.com/iliketomakestuff
http://twitter.com/iliketomakestuff
http://facebook.com/iltms
#ILikeToMakeStuff
About I Like To Make Stuff:
We have lots of projects including woodworking, metalworking, electronics, 3D printing, prop making and more!
These videos are our attempt inspire and empower others to make the stuff that they want to have. Hopefully you'll see something here that will inspire you to make something that you're passionate about!
GoPro Ring Light // How-To | I Like To Make Stuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7cs2ul03KU
I Like To Make Stuff
http://www.youtube.com/Iliketomakestuff