Pocket Glow: A Perfect Camping Light

Description

Pocket Glow is a palm-sized camping light designed to brighten your adventures. It features dual-color LED strips (cool and warm white), a rechargeable 18650 battery, and a built-in power bank module that can even charge your smartphone in emergencies. With its soft diffuser, balanced glow, and compact 3D-printed design, it’s the perfect mix of practicality and style for camping, hiking, or everyday use.

Details

The call of the wild is always exciting, but it also comes with challenges – like needing the right gear to make the outdoors more comfortable. That’s exactly why I built Pocket Glow, a cute, pocket-friendly gadget that fits right in your palm but delivers features you’d normally expect from something much bigger. Compact, stylish, and practical – it’s the perfect little companion for outdoor adventures and everyday life.

Pocket Glow offers three soothing light modes – Cool White, Warm White, and Natural White – using a clever combination of two 12V LED strips. With just one device, you can switch between a bright white for focus, a warm glow for comfort, or a natural tone for daily use.

Inside, it’s powered by a 2500mAh rechargeable battery paired with a 2A fast-charging power bank module. That means you can light up your surroundings and charge your devices on the go – whether you’re camping under the stars, traveling, or just relaxing at home.

But Pocket Glow isn’t only for the outdoors – it’s a multi-purpose tool. Use it while cooking, studying, shooting videos, or as a handy backup light for emergencies. Wherever you are, it’s always ready to shine.

Files

FNUF6O0MFFQ6VPP.jpg

Connection Diagram

JPEG Image - 44.98 kB - 10/04/2025 at 13:21

Preview

Diffuser.stl

For 3D Printing

Standard Tesselated Geometry - 58.48 kB - 10/04/2025 at 13:20

Download

Cover (2).stl

For 3D Printing

Standard Tesselated Geometry - 35.82 kB - 10/04/2025 at 13:20

Download

Housing (2).stl

For 3D Printing

Standard Tesselated Geometry - 183.19 kB - 10/04/2025 at 13:19

Download

Components

1 × 12v Strip Light Cool White

1 × 12v Strip Light Warm White

1 × XL6009 Step UP Booster

2 × Latching Push Switch

1 × Power Bank Module

Build Instructions

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1
CAD & 3D Printing
To start this project, I designed the Pocket Glow CAD using Fusion 360. It’s a simple and compact design that’s easy to print and assemble. If you’d like to view or edit the model, you can open it directly in your browser using the Fusion 360 web viewer. Feel free to customize it however you like.

For 3D Printing, You can directly download the required STL files below:
1. Housing.stl
2. Cover.stl
3. Diffuser.stl
For 3D printing, I Recommend PCBWay, a professional 3D printing service known for its high precision, affordable pricing, and wide range of material choices. They support advanced technologies like SLA, SLS, MJF, and FDM, delivering smooth and durable parts that are ideal for both prototypes and final builds.

One of the best things about PCBWay 3D printing is their fast turnaround time and reliable worldwide shipping, making it super convenient for hobbyists, students, and professionals alike. Whether you’re just getting started or working on a serious engineering project, PCBWay is a great choice.

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2

Strip Light Assembly

Begin by preparing the 3D-printed cover for the strip light installation. First, measure the length of the cover and cut both the cool white and warm white LED strips to the required size. Once the strips are ready, peel off the adhesive backing and carefully press them onto the cover. For a more balanced and natural lighting effect, I arranged the strips alternately—starting with cool white, then warm white, followed again by cool white and warm white. This alternating pattern helps create an even and pleasant color combination.
3

Switch Assembly

On the opposite side of the housing, you’ll notice two small holes designed for switches. I used two locking-type push switches here—one to control the cool white LED strip and the other to control the warm white LED strip. To assemble them, simply insert each switch into its slot and apply a very small amount of T-7000 glue to hold them in place. Be careful not to use too much glue, as excess adhesive could damage the switches or make them difficult to operate.