Three-Zone LED Lighting for Your Workbench

One might say that a workbench is a hacker's most important asset, and as such I seem to be on a never-ending quest to build or otherwise obtain the perfect work surface. Most recently, this meant assembling a 7' x 3 1/2' table out of wood – yes, actual wood! – complete with overhead storage, and a shelf below for additional doodads.

Some time after the initial build, I installed a strip of 12V LED lighting underneath the overhead 2x4 storage shelf, powered by a simple power supply. To further enhance the design, I added an Arduino Nano, along with a MOSFET for PWM control. A PIR sensor was embedded to enable the lights to come on automatically, and they can be dimmed via a simple two-button user interface.

Taking things several steps further, a second and third PIR sensor was added to the setup, along with a strip of addressable NeoPixel-style WS2812B LEDs. This allows the bench to automatically apply extra lighting to three different zones as it detects movement.

The additional lights were mounted to a length of 1" tubing, and wiring was manipulated through for a fairly clean overhead setup. As shown in the video, this "fishing expedition" was a bit of a challenge. The actual controls wiring isn't horrible, but could be better.

Code for each iteration is available via the video descriptions, and the Grounduino screw terminal board Arduino Nano mounts to is available on Tindie. Items still on the potential "to-do" list include an alternative to simultaneously using 5V and 12V mains power adapters, and potentially implementing an electrical box for the controls.