Rings of Light

Illuminate your space with these tubular rings of light!

This guy not only emits epic displays of colorful auras, but can also be used as a USB power station and wireless phone charger. Light can be controlled by brightness, color, pattern, and speed through the magic of the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040.

Non-Printed Parts:

Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 (x1)

WS2812B LED Strip (x1) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097379J1V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

M3 Nuts (x14)

M3x8mm Screws (x10)

M3x5mm Screws (x4)

Wireless Charger (x1) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FM8R7J1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Wall Charger (x1) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4V3VD56/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Push Button (x1) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SVSYDNM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Mini Toggle Switch (x1) - This isn't the exact one I used, but looks to be the same https://www.amazon.com/mxuteuk-Terminal-Position-Miniature-Dashboard/dp/B07QGDDTWJ/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mini%2Btoggle%2Bswitch&sr=8-6&th=1

1kOhm Pot (x2) - Similar to what's in this set https://www.amazon.com/Swpeet-Potentiometer-Assortment-Multiturn-HighPrecision/dp/B07ZKK6T8S/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=10W5NVGXP8Y2D&keywords=potentiometer&qid=1704746442&sprefix=potentiometer%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Extension Cord (x1) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKLMKW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Rocker Switch (x1) - https://www.amazon.com/5Pcs-Rocker-Switch-Position-QTEATAK/dp/B07Y1GDRQG/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=rocker%2Bswitch&sr=8-5&th=1

Objects to Print:

Base (x1) - Pause at 9mm to place nuts

Hub - Bottom (x1)

Hub - Top (x1) - Supports needed for nut mounts

Hub - Back (x1)

Toggle Switch - Cap (x1)

Ring Mount (x1) - Pause at 5mm to place nuts

Ring Mount Flip - Pause at 5mm to place nuts

Ring Connector (x12)

Bottom End Tube (x2) - Organic supports if possible

Top End Tube (x2) - Organic supports if possible

First Tube (x2) - Organic supports if possible

Middle Tube (x10) - Organic supports if possible

Light Strip Mount - Top (x2) - mirror 1 copy

Light Strip Mount - Bottom (x2) - mirror 1 copy

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Prusa

Printer:

I3 MK3S

Rafts:

No

Supports:

Yes

Resolution:

0.2

Infill:

15%

Filament: Any PLA/PETG

Notes:

Supports are necessary for the unsupported overhangs, such as the nut holders. The tubes must be printed in a transparent filament (PETG is the best in my experience). Everything else can be printed as you wish. I printed the Hub Top with fuzzy skin for fun, but had to separate some of the parts so they can be printed smoothly to have the other components fit snugly.

Post-Printing

Lights

Glue the top & bottom strip mounts together. Cut off a strip of 78 LEDs and attach to mount along flat side starting at the medial side next to the insert mount. The first 10 LEDs will wrap around the small, bottom end (5 per side). The remainder will go up the mount, around the top end, and back to the beginning. Solder 3 wires to their respective input of the LED strip & feed through the insert mount holes. Ensure you have enough wire for later. Screw the First Tube onto the Ring Mount. Slide the mount into the ring mount with the first tube. Repeat for other side.

Twist the Bottom End Tube onto the ring mount. Their is little clearance, but should fit with about a quarter turn. Separately, connect the Top End Tube and 5 Middle Tubes together with the 6 ring connectors. Slide connected tubes over lights & attach them together by rotating the ring connector until tightened. Feed wires into Hub Top, attach to Hub Top w/ M3 screws & repeat for other side.

Hub Top

Attach Mini Switch, both pots, & button to top with included nuts. Plan ahead with wiring. I had the button & pots share 3.3V and GND by wiring them in series to save space. The mini switch will be the power switch for the Seeed & LEDs. Place the cap over the mini switch to cover the other bits.

Hub Back

Slide the Wall Charger into the mount. I used glue to keep it in place. Insert the rocker switch into the opening; it should fit snugly. This rocker switch will be the main power switch for the charger.

Extension Cord

Cut off the end & solder one end to the Wall Charger and the other to the rocker switch. Then connect the other side of the rocker switch to the other end of the Wall Charger. Cover the leads with electric tape to prevent shorting 120V.

MicroController

Check out the INO file attached for the input/output pins to solder or write your own code. Strip the micro end of a USB cable & solder to the input supply of the controller as well as the input of the LED strips. This will plug into the Wall Charger to supply 5V through the hole of the Hub Back. Make sure everything is grounded appropriately.

Wireless Charger

Wireless Charger should fit into circle cutout. The USB cord should go through the Hub's holes to plug into the Wall Charger.

Hub Bottom

Manage wires effectively & screw in the bottom to close everything up.

General Use

Flip the back rocker switch to supply power to the Wall Charger. Flip the top toggle switch to power the controller & LEDs. The first mode will be solid colors. The 2 pots will control brightness & color in this mode. Press the button to cycle through other fun modes. The bottom pot will control speed in the fun modes.

Category: Decor