How to Build Your Own LED Light Panel

An LED (Light Emitting Diode) light panel is a square (although it can be other shapes), flat panel that has LED lights covering one side. LED lights are durable, produce little heat and consume a small amount of electricity. LEDs also come in a variety of colors. LED panels may have many different colors to create an interesting effect. Constructing an LED light panel is quite simple, as most of the components can be purchased already assembled.
1 Determine the size of your LED light panel. A 1 foot-by-1 foot light panel should produce plenty of light. Locate or construct a wooden panel of that size. The wood panel should ideally be 1/2-inch thick and should not be more than 1 inch thick.
2 Paint the wooden panel. This step is optional, as the front of the LED light panel will be covered in LED light strips. Wait for the paint to dry.
3 Purchase LED light strips. LED light strips are a number of LED lights all grouped together in a strip. Purchase strips that are roughly the length of the wooden panel. A strip will ideally run from one end of the panel to the other. Purchase enough strips to cover the entire panel. If the strips are too long, they can be cut to suit the length of the panel; this will not impact the functioning of the remaining strips as long as the power cord (to the control unit) is in tact. An alternative is to purchase the strips first and then fashion the panel to fit the strips.
4 Apply super glue to the back of the LED light strips and lay them in rows along the wooden board. Once they are all laid out they should cover the board completely. Ensure that the wires coming from the end of each LED strip are all on the same side.
5 Connect the wires from the LED light strips to the LED control unit. The LED light strip wires should pop right into the control unit. The LED control unit is a hub for all the LED light strips' wires. It manages all the connections of the LED power wires and has a number of ports for them. The control unit will either run on batteries or be plugged into an outlet. It does not come with the strips but can be purchased at any store that sells LED light strips.
6 Super glue the control unit to the back of the LED light panel or mount it separately. Plug in or insert batteries into the LED control unit (depending on the model). Turn it on and test out the LED panel light.