Prusa Nozzle / Bed Light by MR2C280

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

This Nozzle Light for the Prusa i3 was inspired by Maximpulse's floating LED light (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2237352). It allows you to shine light directly on the nozzle so you can see your print as it is printing.
His version runs a USB cable from the extruder to an external USB charger. Instead, I used a 12V to 5V USB buck converter, connected it to the Prusa's main power supply using the spare terminals and made a mount to clip onto the side of printer's power supply. (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2429603)
However, this still means you need to run a USB cable from the extruder and I found the cable was too thick to allow the printer to reach the top of the Z-axis (200mm).
This version holds the LED and the 5V converter in the same holder mounted on the extruder. The mount and hinge are combined and simplified so you can use the original fan screws and, because there is only one hinge, the light holder cannot be accidentally moved so it can hit the Z-screw. The hinge allows you to direct the light where you want.
The LED light is dimmable and turns on or off with a touch to the back side. The little tab on the end serves no purpose and can be cut off (use a Dremel). This allows you to get the actual LEDs 5mm closer to your work. Print the "LED-Buck Holder Left Shortened LED" if you cut yours. If, after installing, you decide the LED is too close to the printbed, just add a nut on the bolt between the LED-Buck Holder and the Extruder Mount.
The buck converter has a small red LED indicating it has power. The small hole in the back of the left side of the Holder is to allow you to insert a short piece of clear 1.75mm filament so the light shines. Not important but we all like little shining red lights.:-)
The USB LED touch light costs only £0.99 from China and can be found at:https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=Touch%20LED%20USB&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684
The 12V to 5V USB buck converter is also only £0.99 from China and can be found at:https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.X12V+buck+converter+USB.TRS0&_nkw=12V+buck+converter+USB&_sacat=0