Color Your Desk With LEDs and Hyperion + Arduino Nano

🌈Bring your desk to life with a DIY Ambilight system using Arduino Nano, WS2812B LED strips, and Hyperion! This immersive RGB lighting project reacts in real time to what's on your screen. Complete with 3D-printed case, custom wiring, and full setup guide – perfect for makers and gamers!

PROJECT COMPONENTS PART

➡️Amazon Links:

NeoPixel WS2812B LED: https://amzn.to/4i6QUwo

Electrolytic Capacitor 1000uf 35V: https://amzn.to/3yeZoRd

Screw Terminals: https://amzn.to/46mLQQe

Arduino Nano: https://amzn.to/3SqjDT7

Female Pin Strips: https://amzn.to/3SoNmf6

JST Connectors + Pliers: https://amzn.to/3YlF1MN

Perfboard: https://amzn.to/4cVSorr

Various Screws: https://amzn.to/3A9EyDl

Female Jack 5.5x21: https://amzn.to/3SokwLM

LED Connectors: https://amzn.to/4bZPAIS

90° LED Connectors: https://amzn.to/4c0MNPi

➡️AliExpress Links:

NeoPixel WS2812B LED: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBCWGlx

Arduino Nano: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkniABv

Electrolytic Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdZM7dp

Connectors for Arduino: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDwD1fT

JST Connectors + Pliers: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeAV80t

Screw Terminals: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DlX7Ruz

Perfboard: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dk1xwd7

Various Screws: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DB3BWiH

DC Female Jack 5.5x2.1: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DB0Ls4F

5V Power Supply: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDVvGjR

LED Connectors: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DnnzQnH

90° LED Connectors: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeMkd47

➡️Download File 3D:Makerworld

We'll start by assembling the controller circuit. Use a 30x70 mm perfboard and carefully position your components to fit inside a 3D-printed case. Place the Arduino Nano at the top-left corner and solder it in place. Add a screw terminal, a 1000μF 35V capacitor (bent at 90° to save space), and a JST connector for the LED strip. Make sure to mark polarity on connectors and finalize all solder joints.

Let's prepare the power cable: crimp a JST connector at one end, then solder the positive and negative wires to a female DC 5.5 x 2.1 mm connector. Finally, insulate and secure everything neatly using heat shrink tubing.

Secure the board inside the 3D-printed enclosure using two M2x5 screws. Insert the power cable, fasten it to the case using the provided nut, then connect the LED strip to the board. Make sure to use a power supply properly rated for the number of LEDs used.

Place a microfiber cloth on your workbench to protect the screen. Clean the back of the monitor using isopropyl alcohol, especially where you plan to attach the LED strip.

Use angled connectors, apply some solder to the contact points, and temporarily fix them in place with masking tape on the corners of the monitor.

Measure and cut the LED strips along the marked lines. Solder each segment to its corresponding corner, making sure the 5V, GND, and Data lines are correctly aligned. Repeat this process for all four sides of the monitor. Once the frame is complete, peel off the adhesive backing from the LED strips and firmly attach them to the monitor.

Before proceeding to the next step, take note of the number of LEDs on each side of the monitor. This will be useful later during the software setup.

Connect the Arduino Nano to the PC via USB and open the Arduino IDE. Copy the sketch from the project’s GitHub and paste it into a new window. Before uploading, install the “FastLED” library by Daniel Garcia. Set:

1. Total number of LEDs (e.g. 104)
2. LED strip type (WS2812B)
3. Data pin (e.g. D6)
4. Color order (GRB by default)

Select the correct port and upload the sketch.

🌍Scheck Arduino

Install Hyperion on your PC. Once installed, access the web interface to configure the LED type, number of led, led layout, serial port, and other parameters. You can also calibrate the colors and test effects directly from the panel.

Hyperion Ambient Light documentation

Download Hyperion

Once everything is installed and connected, it's time to fine-tune the visual effects. Through the Hyperion interface, you can:

1. Adjust brightness and gamma settings for better visual comfort.
2. Select startup effects and define a default color when the system boots.
3. Customize inactive effects, choosing a fallback color when Hyperion is not actively syncing with the screen.
4. Use the LED layout preview to confirm your configuration visually.

This project offers a great way to add a colorful, dynamic touch to your workspace while learning about Arduino, addressable LEDs, and real-time visual feedback using Hyperion. The assembly process might require some patience, especially when soldering the LED corners, but the end result is visually impressive and highly customizable.

If you enjoyed this project, don't forget to leave a ❤️ — it really helps and is greatly appreciated!