parametric "halogen desk lamp" to LED strips retrofit

thingiverse

Here's a parametric retrofit module that allows you to turn an ordinary halogen desk lamp into an LED-based lamp. Why do it? Those lamps usually operate near their thermal limit. Often found in trash with burnt thermal fuse. If you replace the fuse with an NC bimetal thermal switch, they get a new life. I usually used 50C or 70C switches because temps above degrade the transformer housing plastic. This turns out to be insufficient to drive 20W halogen bulbs they are fitted with. If you disassemble such lamps, you often find embrittled and yellowed plastic. I use a fair amount of ABS glue to glue broken stuff inside and reinforce everything. Those lamps are cheap and many people own several broken ones. So here's an LED strip retrofit. LEDs consume far less power and make the whole thing very eternal and operate in sane temperature ranges. Features of the script: 1) You can pick any X and Y size of the LED strip, number of modules etc. 2) A small box to hide the rectifier bridge and capacitor You'll need a rectifier bridge (5A Schottky diodes from broken computer PSUs are excellent) and a capacitor - if you want flicker-free lamp. Check the total wattage of modules you plan to install (per module - usually it is 0.24W for regular or 0.72W for 5050 ) - try not to exceed 10W if you want long life of the lamp. Example: 14 cheap modules, 0.24W each , 3.36W total. Not stunning bright but good enough for night reading. If using 5050 modules it total will be 10.08W which should be brighter than original lamp. Ah, final note - do not bother with original glue of the LED strips. Use nail lacquer, ABS glue or even superglue to fix the strips. I used wood clips and hard sponge against all modules to make them all flat and even. Enjoy.