Portable Acrylic edge backlit sign by glassy

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

This is a fun-present for one of our neighbour-friend for his 50 year anniversary.
Though he doesn't know Polish, he likes to greet everyone with "Zapraszami do Bufetu" (his way of inviting guests to the liquor bar).
So the idea vas to make a rechargeable portable edge-backlit sigh which can be used indoors or in his gazebo which could work for the whole evening (works 4 to 5 hours of the full charge). Battery is charged over the micro-USB using a phone charger.
It uses the Panasonic NCR18650 (unprotected) with solderable contacts. To get the original I have bought that in the reputable local electronics shop.
As a charger and protection board for the battery I have used:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-USB-5V-1A-2-1A-Mobile-Power-Bank-18650-Battery-Charger-PCB-LCD-Display-DIY/401188626802?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
with this modification:http://arduino-geiger-pcb.blogspot.com/2017/03/cheap-but-all-inclusive-solution-how-to.html
To reduce the occupied volume I have removed the two big USB ports. It is best to first cut the pins and then accurately destroy these USB ports and then to desolder the pin leftovers. It is to preserve the USB ports connection pads, which will be further used to connect to the input of the step-up converter.
To raise the voltage to 12V for the LED strip I used this step-up module:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-Adjustable-Boost-Buck-Step-Up-Down-Converter-XL6009-Power-Supply-Module-/272579189332?hash=item3f76fc5a54:g:XjUAAOSwTM5YvRye
LED strip -s 6W/meter RED
Though any 6mm acrylic would probably be OK I have used a super-transparent sheet from
Plexiglas® 0E010 which has 92% light transmittance
Also I have used an aluminium U profile as a heatsink for LED strip, though it is most probably unnecessary. External measurements 11mmx20mmx220mm with internal gap for the LED strip of 7mm wide and between holding teeth 6mm
Also some M3 screws
If you found my design useful or inspiring and would like to buy me a cup of espresso you are welcome to tip me:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=U25V96GZNVL3N&source=url
Thank you!