Using Infrared LEDs on a Light Ring?

[GeekStreetSolutions]

I want to illuminate my printer using Infrared LEDS like the ones used to illuminate Night-Vision security cameras. The goal is to illuminate my printer so my MatterControl Touch can see the print without any "human visible light" I am thinking of the following option: Buying a LED ring from Trick Laser (http://www.tricklaser.com/LED-Light-Rin ... D-RING.htm) and replacing the existing LEDS with surface mount IR LEDs. Would this be the easiest option? Are 6 IR LEDS bright enough? Is there any issue wiring it to the Fan on my E3D v6? I also could just use a IR LED Strip and 3D Print some clips to attach to each tower and wire it to the spare 12v lines on my PSU if that is easier.

[BenTheRighteous]

That's a cool idea and your approach would probably work, but if it were me I would think that the effort of desoldering from a light ring and then resoldering some surface mounts by hand would be a bit of a pain.

I'd probably try connecting 8 of something like this (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9349) in series (because 1.5V x 8 = 12V) and then just wiring it to the fan as you suggest. I like the idea of 3d printing some kind of bracket for it, but that's up to you!

[bvandiepenbos]

That's a cool idea.

[Jimustanguitar]

Just use a FLIR camera and don't bother with the lights.

[KAS]

Just use a FLIR camera and don't bother with the lights.

[GeekStreetSolutions]

Just use a FLIR camera and don't bother with the lights.

Yeah, you are probably right. Although a DIY Infrared lighting system sounds nice, I may as well buy a night vision IP Camera and get way better quality video than the MatterControl Touch. Does anyone recommend a particular IP Camera. Optionally, I would like to be able to control the pan/tilt remotely, and the ability to embed the stream on my website would be nice.

[KAS]

Maybe something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Wansview-Wireless ... 9GR26EF24Y

[Eric]

FLIR thermal cameras aren't cheap....I doubt you want to pay that much for this purpose.

Most consumer "night vision" cameras are just cheap cameras with LED's to illuminate...which is what you wanted to do in the first place.

LED ring lights on the extruder make sense for human viewing, because humans move around.

For camera viewing, it's easier to just put the light where the camera is...they'll illuminate everything the camera can see.