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» Keyboard backlight made from LED strip. Workplace lighting. Homemade keyboard backlight How to make a keyboard backlight with your own hands

Keyboard backlight made from LED strip. Workplace lighting. Homemade keyboard backlight How to make a keyboard backlight with your own hands

In some cases, there is a need to provide additional illumination of the working surface. Keyboards with backlit keys can be purchased, but if such an option is suitable. If the price of such devices does not correspond to the user’s capabilities, it is enough to reserve time and do everything yourself. For this procedure you will need some knowledge of working with a soldering iron and connecting a diode strip.

Why do you need a backlight on your keyboard?

A backlit computer keyboard is essential for people working at night. Night owls often wonder how to achieve keyboard illumination if touch typing has not been mastered. Also, for some operations it is necessary to look at the keys, which is difficult in poor-quality lighting.

Additional illumination is necessary for:

  • IT employees;
  • gamers;
  • night shift dispatchers;
  • technical personnel testing equipment on site with the keyboard connected to the device.

Lighting the work surface is not only a beautiful fantasy for aesthetic pleasure. The need to see the necessary keys in the complete or partial absence of light requires such a measure. Taking care of proper operation can save time and provide an acceptable option for interacting with devices.

In some cases, the required keyboard option is difficult to obtain, or is not possible at all. Taking an option similar in configuration, it is enough to simply make backlit keys in it. This procedure will require some soldering skills and knowledge of basic principles of radio electronics.

Required Tools

Backlit Keyboard Reviews demonstrates the different options for backlit keyboards:

  • standard rectangular;
  • gaming;
  • laptop keyboard;
  • wireless analogues.

To repeat a similar experience, illuminating standard options without additional special effects, you need certain tools and materials:

  • LED strip (up to 1 m);
  • soldering iron;
  • batteries (in the case of a built-in backlight recharge option);
  • network cable (about 3 m);
  • adapter 2-4-pin to 1-6-pin;
  • Screwdriver Set;
  • insulating tape;
  • switch;
  • stationery knife;
  • glue (for some options with a change in the key panel);
  • tester for the final check of the functionality of all circuit elements.

Almost all the required materials can be purchased at any specialized store. This also applies to LED strips for Multi-color lighting systems.

Backlight power supply

Any illumination option requires a power source. This task remains the No. 1 solution for everyone who wants to create additional special effects on the work surface. It is worth considering the resource consumption of the diode element, since most of the recommendations boil down to introducing a connection to the computer’s power supply.

A factory-produced backlit gaming keyboard for a computer is built precisely on this principle. Since all the elements are already enabled, they directly take resource from the internal elements of the computer. This process requires a lot of resources.

Electronics engineers suggest making a separate output for connection to the system filter socket connector, or installing an additional power supply to relieve the load on the main one. There is some truth to this, as excessive power consumption wears out your computer.

Advantages of using diode strip

Backlit mechanical keyboards are all built on the principle of using an LED strip. This approach was preceded by numerous not entirely successful experiments. The choice of diodes was based on the following requirements:

  • compact location inside the keyboard box;
  • light weight;
  • ease of installation;
  • resource consumption;
  • convenience when replacing a worn-out element;
  • light source brightness requirements;
  • resistance to multiple mechanical damage;
  • possibility of adding additional colors.

The last point is important for the built-in Multi-color system. Gaming keyboards or laptop panels require contrasting backlighting. This is due to the orientation requirements of the gamer or tester during the work process. Areas painted in different light colors allow you to quickly find your way and prevent confusion. In addition, LEDs interact harmlessly with computer or laptop systems.

Is any keyboard suitable for transformation?

Any three-dimensional keyboard can be suitable for transformation. Backlit gaming keyboards of various configurations all have a certain height. Backlighting that is not based on the principle of using LEDs is possible only in factory conditions. Therefore, for an experimental project it is necessary to take a device of a certain height.

For the first experiments on installing a light element, experienced electronics engineers recommend practicing on mechanical keyboards from the following companies:

  • Assus;
  • Genius;
  • A4tech;
  • Gmej;

These keyboards have sufficient height and simplicity of design. They have a certain margin of safety, since they are designed for the average user.

You can use them to practice many different techniques, including completely replacing the key area with a similar option with transparent inserts. In addition, when several options are compiled into one for decorative effects, their standard configuration allows for similar manipulations.

Wireless backlit keyboard

A backlit wireless keyboard has its own specifics related to the signal element. When adding this option to the LED component, it is necessary to perform the following manipulations:

  • make accurate measurements of all keyboard parameters;
  • distribute all mounting points of the LED strip on the diagram at a sufficient distance from the pulse supply boards;
  • choose a reliable place to mount the battery;
  • decide how the backlight will turn off/on;
  • make some changes to the housing for the button output.

The main goal of this process is to install the ribbon without damaging the key functions of the keyboard. When dismantling the key panel, you must remember the main rule, which applies to all other keyboard options:

If the rubber backing is peeled off, it will be impossible to reinstall it properly. There is an additional option for mounting on a transparent backing sheet, however, in some sensitive models this will lead to a complete lack of response of the key when pressed.

Where can I get an LED strip?

To solve the question of how to turn on the keyboard backlight, you need to have an LED strip. The standard version of the tape is sold in all construction stores and markets. If the conditions for developing a project for installing lighting require any special properties or requirements, analogues can be found through Internet sources.

The standard tape consists of:

  • elastic polymer tape;
  • a row of series-connected diodes;
  • output points of power connection elements;
  • separation zone marked with special markings.

There are some differences in the tape options for the Multi-color system. Diode pairs of different colors are connected in parallel at some distance opposite each other. Otherwise, all soldering (connection) points of twisted pair wires have a standard output.

According to the markings, one output point has 5 volts, the other 12 volts. This must be taken into account when connecting the backlight circuit to the connectors. In addition, when connecting the blade through a charger, it is necessary to take into account that the charger must be a transformer, and not a pulse one.

Enable keyboard backlight on Asus laptop

One of the frequently asked questions is how to turn on the keyboard backlight on an Asus laptop. Because models of this type have a very moderate glow. Some users are not satisfied with the quality of the luminescent element. However, the machine itself is satisfactory in terms of its parameters and quality of work.

To install an LED element, you should immediately decide on the type of lighting. For novice electronics engineers, it is recommended to do backlighting along the contour. Because this will minimize possible damage to performance due to inept installation.

The rules for installing diode strip require:

  • disconnect the battery;
  • remove all fasteners (some are recessed and hardly noticeable at first glance);
  • carefully remove the hard drive;
  • remove DVD rom;
  • release the key panel from the fasteners;
  • disconnect the display cable suitable for the motherboard;
  • disconnect the cable;
  • remove WLAN.

The LED strip itself must be installed along the free contour of the edge of the keyboard. In this case, take into account the mounting location of the battery or any battery that is flat enough to be mounted in the case. One of the inconvenient aspects of such a process will be the need for similar dismantling when replacing the power element.

No. 1 The easiest way to backlight

Attach the tape to the bottom of the monitor or the inside of the keyboard drawer. This is one of the simplest options for backlit keyboard. This method is suitable for those who are little familiar with the principles of electronics. The installed bracket has a simple connection type:

  • a twisted pair (similar to an Internet connection wire) is soldered to the output points of the internal connection of the diodes;
  • connection via a molex power connector to the hard drive;
  • the yellow-marked connector is designed for 12 volts;
  • The connector with red markings is reserved for 5 volts.

Installation can be done inside the tabletop, which provides bright illumination of the surface of the keys. In this version, you can attach a switch under the surface of the table cover, with which you can remove the lighting during the daytime.

Switch fastening

In various systems, an important point is to turn off the backlight when it is not needed. If we are talking about standard mechanical keyboards, then everything is simple. An additional groove is cut into the body, where the shutdown button is located. Accuracy and aesthetics depend on your efforts.

In models with a more complex structure, this approach does not have its functional meaning. Since damage to the integrity of the housing can affect the operation of the entire device. On laptops this option is basically not acceptable.

Factory backlit keyboards have special keys to turn off the backlight. Such keys have an additional LED located on the body, which does not light if the backlight is turned off. This principle can be applied to turn off a homemade keyboard backlight LED circuit on a laptop.

Keyboard key illumination principle

Light from the diodes reaches the surface in two ways:

  • through the gaps between the keys;
  • through the transparent parts of the keys.

You need to pay attention to this when working with the keyboard. LED lighting is considered the most optimal and correct. The light source produces an even beam that has a clear dispersion radius. This option is especially noticeable if the symbols themselves glow.

On standard keyboards, all buttons are not transparent. The situation can be corrected by cutting out the area of ​​the working surface and replacing it with a more progressive one. When performing such manipulations, it is worth considering the moment of coincidence of the location of the button area.

Also, such a process requires care when processing joints and adjusting to the hole area. A new panel with keys is glued in using specialized glue. It is necessary to carefully monitor the joints so that the structure fits tightly. In any embodiment, the light supplied by the diode is reflected from the hands, creating additional illumination of the panel.

No. 2 Installation of LEDs in the body of the 760 keyboard

Before installing the backlight strips, you need to draw up a diagram of all the exit points of additional elements. This applies to:

  • switch;
  • wires to the power supply;
  • connection of the console system for Multi-color.

Thus, the diagram must include:

  • exit points for additional wires;
  • location of rubber key pads;
  • internal fastening points for all wiring and connections.

Since all the planks are connected into one assembly, a well-thought-out plan for laying this part is needed. So that its volume does not interfere with the installation of the panel with keys.

Do-it-yourself keyboard backlighting requires some care. When installing the tape, the first task is to dismantle the housing. All fastening elements must be carefully disconnected, paying attention to the possible outputs of the various connectors.

In the case of a solid key panel, it makes sense to melt holes for the output of the diodes with a soldering iron. For such a manipulation it will be necessary to accurately calculate the location of the diode along the guide and the places where the keys are attached. It makes sense to attach the wire connected to the beginning of the circuit with adhesive tape to the main wires of the keyboard for greater ease of use.

A connector adapter for the power wires of the diode strip is mounted on the wire. We connect it directly to the power source. The button to turn off the backlight can be inserted into the place where the boards exit by breaking out one strip.

Multi-color rainbow backlighting of a regular keyboard

The multicolor lighting system is based on the use of RGB diode strip. For this option you will need:

  • keyboard with transparent key symbols;
  • RGB diode strip;
  • RGB controller designed for 12v;
  • power unit;
  • mode switching remote control;
  • power connector;
  • signal reception sensor.

The ribbons are unraveled into the required lengths. They are attached in a clearly defined place under the keys. They are connected in parallel and connected to the controller. Additionally, the remote control signal reception sensor is displayed. A groove is cut into the housing to remove the power connector. When the final preparations are made, the body is assembled.

















koffkindom.ru

How to turn on the keyboard backlight on Asus, Lenovo, Hp, Acer laptops, do-it-yourself backlighting

Keyboard backlighting is one of the necessary functions that allows you to work with a laptop in rooms with low lighting levels or at night. This option has long moved from the category of “whims” and is increasingly taken into account when choosing a device.

How to turn on the backlight

Not all laptop owners know about the presence/absence of backlit keys on their laptops. To check, you must first pay attention to the top panel of the keyboard. Many manufacturers add special functions to the optional “F1-F12” row, indicating them with corresponding icons.

If there are no icons, then you can try the “Fn+F1-F12” button combination. It is worth considering the fact that in addition to backlighting, row “F” can also cause sleep mode or, for example, turn off the screen. If you mistakenly called the wrong action, just repeat the last combination and everything will return to its place.

This option can also be accessed by the keyboard shortcut “Fn+space (space)” or “Fn+right arrow”.

Turning the feature on or off depending on your model

Different brands and models of laptops differ in how they turn on the backlight, if any.

  • Asus. While holding down the Fn key, press F4 at the same time and enjoy the flickering letters on the working panel. To disable it, type the combination “Fn+F3”.
  • Lenovo. On the “space” key of the keyboard of laptops from this manufacturer, there is often a flashlight painted on it, which gives a hint. Pressing “Fn + Space” at the same time activates the function.
  • Acer. The “Fn+F5” button combination controls turning the keyboard backlight on and off.

DIY lighting

If the manufacturer of your device does not provide backlighting, then there are two options for solving the problem - order a ready-made one or make it yourself.

Memory card reader - what is it?

If for a desktop computer keyboard you can get creative and design both external and internal backlighting, then for a laptop you don’t have to choose. To illuminate the working panel of a laptop PC you will need:

  • LED of any color
  • 100 ohm resistor
  • USB plug
  • soldering iron and glue
USB pinout

The 1st and 4th pins of the USB plug are “plus” and “minus”, respectively, and the 2nd and 3rd are intended for data transfer.

Execution Sequence

composs.ru

Do you often work at your computer in the dark? LEDs under the keys are what you need

Today, the backlight of a laptop keyboard is for many a determining factor in the purchase of this gadget. After all, this is a useful and convenient function for lovers of work and leisure at night or in poor lighting. But few users know how to turn on the keyboard backlight on a laptop and what can be done if this model does not have one.

It's worth noting that there are several ways to enable this useful feature. Differences exist depending on the manufacturer and the specific device model. Don’t forget that most budget models do not have such a useful feature, but don’t be lazy to check it again.

It is also possible to make the lighting yourself: all the parts can be bought in specialized stores. And then you will need a few simple operations. Or you can order a similar device from an online store - it won’t cost that much money.

How to turn on the keyboard backlight on a laptop

The first step is to determine whether your laptop has a keyboard backlight function. If it exists, then the whole process consists of pressing a special key combination. Each manufacturer in this case assigns its own button, but it must be located among the keys of the top row F1-F12. On them you can see special symbols printed in a different color (usually blue or red).

In order to turn on the keyboard backlight on a laptop (Acer, HP, Dell, Samsung, MSI and others), you need to hold the Fn button (located in the lower left corner) and press an additional key, unique for each manufacturer. For exact information, please refer to the user manual. It should be remembered that by experimenting with key combinations, you can disable or enable a number of other device functions (turn off WiFi mode, put the laptop into sleep mode, turn off the screen). You can undo changes by pressing the used keyboard shortcut again.

If you are sure that this function is available, but the desired combination does not enable it, then make sure that the Fn button works (for example, by trying another key combination you know). Check the availability of the appropriate drivers, BIOS settings (Setup Utility – System Configuration – Action Keys Mode – Enabled), try activating the button using the Fn+NumLock combination.

As already written, different manufacturers have different combinations for LEDs (we will give a few examples):

  1. How to turn on the lighting on an HP laptop – Fn+F5.
  2. How to turn on the lighting on an ASUS n76v laptop - there are three brightness levels, Fn+F3 and Fn+F4.
  3. How to turn on the keyboard lighting on a Lenovo laptop – Fn+Space (spacebar).

Plus, you can make your own external LEDs. To do this, all you need is knowledge in the field of electronics, an LED, a resistor and a little time. However, it is worth considering that it is much easier and safer to purchase this accessory. After all, if you close the electrical circuit with the wrong side, then you will not only not achieve the desired result, but also risk damaging your computer.

As you can see for yourself, LEDs are an incredibly useful and convenient device. If you don't have it by default, you can always purchase additional hardware and also attach it to your laptop. And thanks to our tips, you can do this easily and quickly.

strana-sovetov.com

How to turn on the backlight on a laptop

If you often work on a laptop at night, and even in poor lighting, you will probably be pleased with the ability to backlit the keyboard on your laptop. This surprisingly useful feature appeared relatively recently; it is used for new models of equipment. Turning on the backlight is not difficult at all, it will not take you much time.

First, determine whether your laptop has a backlight function. On cheap models it may simply not be there. Information about the presence of backlight can be found in the instructions for the laptop. Then look to see if any key has a backlight icon - a light bulb and keys. This may be a different button for different models. Most often, such an icon is located on the F1 - F12 line. If you find it, then use it to activate the backlight together with the Fn key. The backlight button will not work separately.

If the icon is not visible, you will have to go through possible combinations. After checking all Fn + F 1...12 keys, try Fn + Spacebar, Fn + F6 + Right Arrow.

Please note that during the search process, pressing key combinations may activate different functions. This could be turning off the monitor, turning off Wi-Fi, or going to sleep mode. To cancel the action, press the same combination again.

Before buying a backlit laptop, check that both the English and Russian layouts are backlit. Some manufacturers produce separate backlit laptop keyboards. So, if your laptop does not have this feature, you can buy another keyboard and replace it by contacting a service center.

SovetClub.ru

Instructions: how to turn on the keyboard backlight on an Asus laptop

Most older laptop models do not have a backlit keyboard, and this is perhaps the biggest disadvantage of manufacturers, because it is simply not possible to fully work on a laptop at night. Currently, new models have begun to install backlighting on the keyboard, but not many users have been able to figure out how to turn on the keyboard backlight, so today we will talk about that. Of course, without any doubt, we can say that the keyboard backlight is a very convenient option, because even in the dark you can fully work on your device.

Management

If you are looking for a solution on how to turn on the keyboard backlight on an Asus laptop, then carefully read the instructions that we are about to give you. You probably know where the dedicated Fn button is located on your keyboard, but you may not know what it does. This key can be classified as an additional type, but you can turn the keyboard backlight on and off on your device using it. In fact, on all laptop models, using this key you will be able to clearly see the buttons even in the dark, so if your keyboard backlight still does not work (Asus laptop, for example), then it is worth getting acquainted with other proposed solutions to this issue which will be described below.

Special combinations

In order to solve the problem, you will need to select the correct combination of keys on the keyboard if the additional “Fn” button does not work. You should try to press all the buttons from the top row, starting with “F1” and ending with “F12”. On each additional key you will be able to see a certain value, for example, using these switches you can adjust the sound, adjust the brightness of the screen and make other changes. Most likely, additional lighting will be located in this row. To learn how to turn on the keyboard backlight on an Asus laptop, you will definitely need to experiment. First of all, hold down the “Fn” key, after which we begin to press additional buttons in order. First, you can look for a keyboard icon on the additional layout, but if you don’t notice such a designation, then you should try the experimental path.

Additional features

You must also remember that while you are deciding how to turn on the keyboard backlight on an Asus laptop, you can use other options, for example, turning off the screen or going into sleep mode. In order for undoing these operations to work, you just need to press the combination again and everything will return to its place.

Without pointer

In some cases, it may be that there is simply no picture of the keyboard on additional keys and, having tried all sorts of options, you still could not find out how to turn on the keyboard backlight on an Asus laptop. But if you know for sure that your device has this function, then you shouldn’t give up and try other options. Try the combinations "Fn" plus "Space". You can also try the first key together with “Right Arrow” or “F5”. If you want to know how to turn on the keyboard backlight (Asus laptop), but it turns out that this option is not provided, do not despair. Anyone can create the necessary lighting with their own hands; of course, it will be external, but you will still be able to see the keys perfectly. In order to achieve the result, you will need to use one or more LEDs. You also need an output for a USB connector. You can use just one LED, but in this case your backlight will not help you see the entire keyboard.

Finishing touch

The USB power supply provides five volts, and accordingly you need to select an LED of the same power. Or just use a resistor. For example, if you have chosen an LED that requires a power of 3.5 volts, then select it for 1.5 volts. It's important to remember one more thing. One LED may not be enough, in which case you need to use several at once. This can be done using a parallel connection. Experts have tested in practice the maximum number of these elements that can be connected to one USB output. In total, this number equals 25 diodes, so if you want to connect 5, then feel free to do so. If you yourself cannot figure out how to properly make manual backlighting, then you should contact specialists who can even provide internal lighting in a laptop, but such services will cost you extremely dearly. Although in practice the connection is very simple and you will not need to devote much time to developing such a function.

Today, new laptop models that are being released already have a keyboard backlight function, this is a very convenient and useful feature in a laptop. Those who have to or like to work at night or in not very good lighting will feel especially comfortable with this function. If there is a backlight, you do not need to strain your eyes to see this or that symbol on the keyboard. There are several ways to turn on the keyboard backlight on a laptop; the only differences are in the models or manufacturers. You can also create your own keyboard backlight.

By the way, I have repeatedly seen this device in online stores and what’s nice is that it is not expensive. I also want to note that backlighting is rare in budget laptops, but it’s worth checking all of them.

Turn on the backlight

First of all, you need to determine whether your laptop has a keyboard backlight function. If there is such a function, then turning on the backlight is not difficult. Each manufacturer puts special symbols on the keys, additional keys with symbols F1 - F12.

In order to turn on the backlight on the keyboard, you need to press the Fn key and hold down another additional key, which may be different for different models - you can experiment with this by pressing F1 – F12. You can try these combinations: Fn – F5/ Fn – F6/ Fn – space (space) / Fn – right arrow.

The only thing to keep in mind when pressing additional keys is that pressing them may also activate various other functions. For example, sleep mode, turning off Wi-Fi or turning off the monitor. To disable/enable these functions, you need to press the same key combination again.

In the image below, you can see how to turn on the keyboard backlight on an HP laptop:

There is another way to turn on the keyboard backlight on a laptop if your laptop does not have such a function. You can design the lighting yourself - this is external lighting.

How to make external lighting

I found the instructions below on the Internet, if anyone wants to do handicrafts, then this is for you.

To do this, you will need +5V power from the USB connector and a white LED. We insert it into the USB power connector. However, given that the LED has a voltage of 3.5V, and the LED current has 0.02A, a 1.5V suppression resistor is required, the additional resistor has a resistance of 1.5V/0.02A - this is 75 Ohm. Since the USB connector supplies up to 0.5A, 25 LEDs can be powered from it, but it is imperative to control the current consumed by the LEDs, since the difference of 18 - 20 MA shortens the life of the LED.

After checking the external backlight you have made and the brightness of its glow, if you need to increase the brightness of the keyboard backlight, you can connect in parallel another LED with the same resistor. The required current must be set by selecting a resistor. The backlight made by yourself is ready, you can install it and start working on a backlit laptop.

In my opinion, of course, it is better to order ready-made lighting, since it is cheap.

Not everyone has excellent eyesight to work on a computer, but sometimes you need to complete a task, write a message, or just play at night. It’s good if you live alone in the room and you can turn on the light at any time of the day, but if you disturb your significant other or a sleeping child with the light, you’ll have to improvise. Do-it-yourself keyboard backlighting will be a great way out of this situation.

I would like to immediately give practical advice: “Do not connect it to direct backlighting, since the diodes have a power of 3 volts, and the keyboard itself is 5 volts. When connected directly, the diodes will simply burn out due to the high voltage supply. It is necessary to connect only through a circuit board, instead of a light bulb. Scroll Lock was used for the experiment, since they had not been used in any homemade product before.”

We invite you to watch a video of a homemade keyboard backlight:

To backlight the keyboard we need:
- soldering iron;
- 2 LEDs at 3 volts;
- medium-sized stranded wire;
- knife;
- screwdriver;
- medical syringe “2” with a needle;
- hard wire, approximately 20-30 centimeters;
- the keyboard itself.


You need to start the process by disassembling the keyboard; we needed this to remove the light bulb that lights up when you press the Scroll Lock button. We should have a board the size of a matchbox in our hands.


Prepare in advance not an empty syringe, but with a special liquid (rosin) for soldering, but we should only have rosin in liquid form.
Now let's start soldering the board. On the right edge of the board we solder the wires that lead to the backlight bulbs.

After soldering, make sure that the wires stay on the board and do not fall off. You can put the board in its original place, the wires need to be stretched and brought out into a pre-made hole on the keyboard.


Run one wire along the entire length of the keyboard in its upper part, and bring the second out where the board is fixed. You should now have two holes (not counting the hole for the wire of the keyboard itself, if it is wired), one hole on the top right side, the second hole on the top left side.


The last step is to insert a rigid wire that will serve as a frame for the backlight and, of course, solder 2 LEDs.
While the diodes are not yet soldered, you should have two wires sticking out from the keyboard, one between the Esc and F1 buttons, the second on the opposite side. Two LEDs should be attached to them, one diode on each side.


All! By pressing Scroll Lock, you get an unobtrusive backlight that makes it easy to work with at night.
The flexible wire that was used at the very beginning will allow you to bend your improvised lighting in any direction.

When typing in the dark, be it text or correspondence on the Internet, you always end up not understanding what. I do not have touch typing. So I'm constantly looking for a way to backlight the keyboard. My previous designs were worn out by time and helped by a small child.
The design will have height adjustment. There is no need to make it particularly high.
Everything is made from available, not rare parts.
For production we will need:

  • - axis from the printer;
  • - halogen lamp;
  • - a piece of LED strip;
  • - two-wire wire;
  • - pin;
  • - single-core copper wire;
  • - plywood or chipboard;
  • - epoxy adhesive;
  • - drill, soldering iron, self-tapping screws.

Making a backlight for a computer keyboard

To begin with, the printer axis needs to be freed from the rollers. They fit very tightly, but if you help with a hammer, they come off quickly. As a last resort, you can cut it down. The main thing is not to damage the axle coating; it will quickly become covered with rust.

On a single-core copper wire, mine is a 2.5 square mm mounting wire, we make a ring for a 4 mm screw. Set aside at this stage.


I took the power cord about one and a half meters. A large cross-section of wire is not needed, the current is small. I have a double wire with a core diameter of about 0.25 square mm. I applied what I have, maybe thinner. The backlight is powered by 12 volts taken from the computer power supply. The wire is simply inserted into any hole in the system unit and connected to the black and yellow wires. You can also power it from an external power supply of 12 volts and current for a lamp or LED strip.


The reflector of this design is very convenient. We take a burnt, or maybe a new, halogen lamp and carefully knock out the glass. Be careful, the glass may bounce into your eye, follow safety precautions.


Cut a piece of 40-60 mm from a single-core wire. We make a bend at the end and insert it into the reflector. We also insert the power cord there. Fill all this with epoxy glue. Once frozen, the wires sit securely and will not fall out.


For aesthetics, we will make a twisted wire. I will have it hanging around the lighting stand. During the manufacture of the structure, another axis was taken from the printer; it had diameter transitions. Cutting them off exposes the axle to rust. So I took another axis.
To make a twisted wire, you need to wrap the wire tightly around the axle and heat it up. I did this with an industrial hair dryer, you can heat it over a gas stove. Set aside the wire to cool.


We glue a piece of LED strip into the reflector. We protect the wires and solder them. The double-sided tape turned out to be bad, so I glued the tape with super glue. Holds up great.


I make the basis of the structure from various chipboard scraps. It can be made from anything: plywood, OSB, etc. I make it in a round shape. I cut with a crown on plywood and drywall.
The middle ring is in the shape of a donut; a switch and some wires will be installed there.


I processed the base blanks and twisted them together. At the end of the middle piece, a donut, I made a slot for a switch.


I made a hole in the top circle; the power wire will be inserted there later. Between the lower and middle circles I drilled a hole for the wire. Drilled at an angle.


I was thinking about painting. I decided to paint it matte black.


I attach the power switch with epoxy glue. You don’t need a lot of it; if the glue is good, it sticks with a small amount.


While the glue hardens, we proceed to assembling the reflector. I drill a through hole in the clothespin. Using a 4 mm screw, we twist everything into one, not forgetting about the grower.


We pass the wire into the hole, having first screwed the wire onto the axle. We strip the wire insulation and cut one wire. We solder the resulting wire break to the switch. Let's isolate.


We twist the base into a single structure.


We test by temporarily connecting it to a 12 volt battery.
It turned out great. Adjustable in height to fully illuminate the keyboard.


This is such an excellent backlight for the keyboard. There is more than enough light. In general, I advise you not to throw away such reflectors, which are very useful after they burn out.

Very often, people who work at a computer, or simply spend their free time on it, are faced with the problem that in order to type any text or message, they have to strain their eyes. At the same time, the lamp standing on the computer desk glows from the monitor, and it is not clear how to make a backlit keyboard. With all this, the main lighting of the room is also blocked by the person sitting at the table.

So is there a way out of this situation? As it turned out, yes.

Do-it-yourself keyboard backlighting, and at a minimum cost, could be such a solution. After all, it’s always interesting to create something yourself, at home.

You need to understand whether it is difficult to make a backlight for a laptop or a backlit keyboard for a desktop computer. How much time and effort will be spent on this?

There are several options for making such a backlight with your own hands, both simple ones, accessible to a person who has never encountered such work in his life, and more complex ones, the manufacture of which requires knowledge of both computer technology and radio electronics. But you should probably start with simpler methods.

Simple keyboard backlight

To make such a backlight you will need:

  • LED strip 64 cm long;
  • power button (with fixation);
  • connector for Krona battery;
  • the battery itself;
  • Matchbox.

You should not buy a Chinese-made battery, because the powered backlight on such a “Krona” will not work for even a day. The LED strip should have a density of 60 or 120 elements per meter.

The first step is to tin the ends of the wires and the button contacts. One of the connector wires is necessary. The second one through the gap with the button - to the other wire of the light strip.

The main thing in this work is not to confuse the polarity on the connector and the tape. The soldered contacts are naturally insulated, the resulting product is checked, and if everything is assembled correctly, the backlight should work. After that, “Krona” is hidden in a matchbox.

After all the work done, you need to remove the protective film from the LED strip and glue it along the edge of the table, with the elements down along the pull-out shelf for the keyboard. Also, a matchbox with a battery is attached to the bottom using superglue or double-sided tape. In this case, the button should be at hand.

The result will be a backlight similar to the one in the photo above.

Option for a laptop keyboard

Such a homemade device can be useful for those who like to be alone in a dark room with a laptop. The main thing here is to understand how to make a keyboard backlight on a laptop with your own hands, and the work will already go like clockwork.

The fact is that you can’t put a laptop on a pull-out shelf, and even if you do, the lighting discussed above will be completely useless. The light from it will still not reach the keyboard. Well, making a more complex system by disassembling a laptop to install LEDs under the buttons is not at all easy, and therefore you need to consider the option of getting a USB backlight for the keyboard, mounted on top of the monitor in the area of ​​the WEB camera.

First, you will need to solder LED elements in series with the expectation that the backlight will be powered via USB, which means the voltage that should be used when choosing power and quantity will be approximately 5 volts. The main thing is not to mix it up when soldering. It is advisable to take a resistor included in the circuit with a variable resistance, with its help it will be possible to adjust the brightness of the backlight.

You can even take a piece of a small plastic bottle as the basis for the lighting - here you can be guided by your own imagination. It is better to place the LEDs soldered according to the diagram (below) in a fan, for a diffused, but always downward-directed light flux for more optimal backlighting of a DIY keyboard.

Well, in the end you need to connect the power to the USB cable. Even if you don’t have a tester at hand, and it’s impossible to check which wires are “plus” or “minus,” it doesn’t matter. It’s possible to find out everything using the “scientific poke” method, connecting one by one the wires coming from the USB connector to the ends of the series-soldered LEDs. And now the USB backlight for the laptop keyboard, made with your own hands and at home, is ready. You can be proud of yourself, because such a homemade product illuminates every key.

LED assembly diagram for laptop keyboard backlight

Option #3 – USB Flashlight

This is the simplest option on how to make your own keyboard backlight. To implement this, you will need a bendable metal corrugated part from a piezoelectric home lighter or a guide from a headphone microphone, which will do the same function perfectly. You will also need a USB connector, an LED (by the way, you can remove it from an old laser mouse) and several pieces of wire.

Everything is extremely simple - you need to solder the LED to the wires, pass them through the corrugated part of the lighter or microphone, and at the output solder it as tightly as possible to the USB connector, naturally, defining the power outputs.

Such a flashlight will shine incredibly brightly, and you can direct it in any way thanks to the corrugated base.

In general, it’s quite possible to figure out how to make a keyboard backlight yourself, you just need to want to, and dig deeper into radio-electronic spare parts, which can easily be found in any home.

And besides, the experience that comes with understanding how to make a keyboard backlight with your own hands is very interesting and exciting - a completely different feeling than if such little things were bought in a store.