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How to Install the LED Light Bar Kit (Ender-3)

Traditional LED strips have often been the go to method for lighting 3D Printers. They are cheap and efficient, but also require some minor electrical and soldering skills. Hobbyists and DIYers will have no trouble with it, but the average person may skip such a project given the work involved.

The LED Light Bar Kit is however made for this purpose, offering a drop in solution that is dead simple to use. It’s a quick bolt-on installation, with a plug-n-play design that hooks up to the existing Ender-3 XT60 power connectors, taking less than 5 minutes to setup.

Normally my guides look at using current upgrades on the market, but this particular product is of more personal interest. As a concept idea that I pitched at work, I’ve been able to aide in the design process, make suggestions and test prototypes along the way. The ultimate goal was to create a professional quality lighting product that anyone can use, and the results speak for themselves.

Purchased Parts

White LED Bar Kit - $29.99

Printed Parts

V-Slot Channel Covers

Overview

Out of the box, it includes everything we need to install it on the Creality Ender-3. The LED light bar comes pre-wired with an XT60 pass through connector, designed to plug right into the existing power on the machine. It also has an on/off dimmer switch to control the brightness, a milky diffuse cover that softens the glow and black anodized aluminum mounting brackets w/ hardware.

Installation

To get started, first insert the (2) M5x8 bolts in to the mounting brackets on each end. Loosely thread an M5 T-Nut on the back side, just enough so that it stays in place. Turn the nuts horizontal so that they will fit inside of the V-Slot channel on the top of the Ender-3 frame.

Line up the LED Light Bar with the top of the machine, making sure that it is perfectly centered. When satisfied with the position, use the appropriate hex wrench (included with 3D Printer) and tighten down both sides.

T-Nuts rotate to a vertical position when tightened, securing them inside of the V-Slot channel. In some cases they won’t turn 90° on the first try, where it’s a good idea to check that they are firmly locked in place.

This next step is optional and can be done at a later time, but for a professional looking installation, we want to conceal the wiring behind the frame and out of sight.

Loosen up the (2) bolts on the right vertical extrusion, these are what hold the Power Supply in place. Make sure to brace the unit before completely taking them out, then lay it down next to the machine.

While the Power Supply is separated from the machine, we’ll go ahead and get the LED Light Bar hooked up. It comes with a Pass Through Connector that sits between the existing power plug on the Ender-3.

Disconnect the two halves of the yellow XT60 connector and set them aside for a moment. We will run the LED Light Bar wiring over the top corner of the frame and down the back of the extrusion to the bottom. Plug each half in to the new Pass Through Connector (only fits one way) so that it looks like the picture below.

Once finished, all we have left to do is mount the Power Supply back on the frame. Seat the LED Light Bar cable inside of the V-Slot channel and bolt the Power Supply back in place, where this will keep the wiring concealed behind the 3D Printer.

The package also comes with a small sticky pad to hold the dimmer switch in place. Just peel off the protective sheet on both sides and firmly press it on the back side of the dial. Line it up with the extrusion where it won’t be seen from the front and stick it to the metal.

For those like myself, obsessive about wire management, you can even print one of the V-Slot Channel Covers too. It’s fits right over the cable and slides behind the Power Supply, keeping things nice and tidy, tucked in place behind the frame.

I happened to have some blue ones laying around from a different project and they worked great. They print quick and if needed, can be cut down to smaller pieces when printed at 100% infill.

The post How to Install the LED Light Bar Kit (Ender-3) appeared first on Let's Print 3D.



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How to Install the LED Light Bar Kit (Ender-3)

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