LED Track Lights in Dollhouse

Light it up! I created LED track lights for a doll house but they can be mounted anywhere. It is surprising how the light draws you into the display! Great for taking surreal photos with simple props, or simply shedding light on the subject.

Print instructions

• Concept: Running power through a 3D Printed part

• Simplest Solution: A bare copper wire

• Proof-of-concept: An LED Track light

Combine this print with:

• 18 gauge bare copper wire
• 9-12V LED lamps used for instrument panels and this print for mountable LED Tracks mounted with 2mm x 10mm screws.

• 12V DC Power source (example)

• Thread wire into channels. With all of the clamps in place use pliers to push bare wire through channels. If you encounter a lot of resistance open slots to see if the wire is aligned with the far end hole. The clamps maintain the channel but a slightly bent end may hang at the transition. To prevent bending pinch the wire close to the guide and push just a small amount of wire at a time.
  

• Insert LED with positive (long) lead on the left side
  

• Pull LED flush [or bent at the desired angle]
  

• Pull leads across bare wire and crimp
  

• Push clamp into place using pliers to crimp if necessary
  

• Clip leads
  

• Add LEDs until done.

• Power 'Tails' to protect and connect I solder 22 AWG Solid hookup wire to the bare wire, clip it and shrink-tube. I like solid 22 AWG wire because it can be used as a pin to make a breadboard connection.

Connections

For the dollhouse I was looking at a lot of connections so I printed a power track using spring clips from a breadboard. I simply press them into place in the power track.

Simply plug into the power by pushing the power tails into the power track.

Photography

Showcase your creations in lit up boxes that draw attention.

The lights really bring the scenes to life which can be easily captured with a cell phone. Create scenes, take photographs and put it all together in a story.

Final note

I would insulate the spring clips in the power track if there was any chance of shorts. Mine are mounted on wood.

I haven't found a source for spring clips other than extracting them from a breadboard.