LED desk lamp

thingiverse

This is my custom-built desk lamp based on an Arduino platform. https://youtu.be/uNfvAm08fVw Two potentiometers allow for adjusting both hue and brightness of the Neopixel ring in the flexible arm. The button enables turning the lamp on or off, as well as switching from color mode to pure white. In white-only mode, only brightness can be adjusted. The Arduino code can be modified with various patterns, making it possible to use the lamp as an indirect mood light. The segments slide into each other with considerable friction. Applying a drop of silicone oil may improve the situation. A channel runs through the center of the segments where three wires for the Neopixel should pass. I used stiff 4-conductor telephone wire, which made it easier to push the wires through. I powered my lamp using a 12V power supply, as that's what I had available. A 5V power supply will also work and is even simpler. The step-down converter is unnecessary in this case. Powering the Neopixel ring directly from the Arduino might be possible, but in white mode at full brightness it won't provide enough current and the LEDs will flicker. This issue occurs not only when powering from USB, but also when using a power supply. Therefore, make sure to wire the Neopixel ring's +5V and GND directly to the power supply. To prevent floating input, I added a 10K pullup resistor (R5). The cap (C1) and the 1K resistor (R4) are used to eliminate switch bounce. This could have been accomplished in software as well, but since I prefer soldering over coding, I included these extra components. Update January 15, 2019: I made some adjustments to the arm base, reducing the amount of sag in the segmented arm. Additionally, I refined my script and added a rainbow function. Enjoy this project!