LED lights for bench - Better lighting for port pics

[slracer]

I wasn't able to post a pic in the Flowbench Links section here:



so I am adding the subject here where the post a pic works. Hope this doesn't mess anybody up. The post below is a copy of the last one in the links section. -- Doug

After looking at the LED lights and transformers and accessories, I thought there might be a "better" (read that as "Cheaper" ) way. I went to my local Thrift store and found a bunch of old computer equipment transformers in different Voltage ranges and an old, common extension cord. 3 supplies and the extension set me back $1. I went home and checked out the supplies and all 3 worked! In fact, they all overworked; one from Radio Shack was rated at 12 VDC but showed nearly 18 on my voltmeter. I changed to a different meter, then another but the result was the same: 17.6 to 18.5 VDC. I then checked a Nokia brand supply rated at 3.7 VDC and it registered from 8.4 to 8.7 VDC on the 3 meters. Finally, a Motorola brand rated at 5.9 VDC actually showed 6.1 VDC on all 3 meters. The point is, if you try this approach, check the voltages! I clipped the female end off the extension with about 10 inches of cord and wired a wall switch into it (for testing - a toggle will be used for the final wiring). I then dropped the transformer into a junction box (which will go behind the control panel on the bench) and clipped off the funny little plug on the end of the cord on the transformer. When I attached the short extension to a (soon to be) hot wire, I checked the output again and found no change so the next step will be to decide which transformer to use and how many LEDs I need for which style and wire the settling chamber. For the 1 pic is worth 1000 words guys, the pic below shows the "assembly" partially assembled. With some high output LEDs, I could be in business for under $15 including shipping. Worth a shot? -- Doug