Fake TV Security Light

The Idea

Update: Looks like somebody had this idea before me and made a product out of it. Just Google Fake TV. In fact, you can also buy a clone of this from AliExpress – again, just search for ‘fake tv’ in AliExpress. The Chinese versions can be had for about $12 in your hand and that includes a power supply (no doubt of somewhat dubious quality and safety standards). So what follows is a fun project, but it’s easier and possibly cheaper to buy direct from China.
Fake TV Security Light
The idea of leaving a light on at home while you’re out is to give the burglar an uneasy feeling that somebody’s at home and it might be worth trying the next house along instead. A TV on at night plays a constantly-changing light-show against your window which really does say I’m at home and I’m awake. Of course, you could leave a real TV on but that’s an eco-disaster since TV’s consume 50W at best and hundreds at worst. Plus you might not want to be burning your TV in for days on end if you’re not at home.
Why not use some of these neopixel RGB LED’s and a microcontroller to simulate the same effect? With just a few eurodollars, an hour of build time and a power budget of 5W absolute maximum, it sounds like a winner

Building

I built using some of my favourite prototyping board. It’s not stripboard (Veroboard) so you have to solder your own wires but it’s cheap, pre-cut to commonly-used sizes. I get mine from eBay – search for ‘prototype PCB’. I had to file down the end of the board so as to not foul the USB connector on the Digispark.
The resistor and capacitor for the neopixel WS2812B LEDs part of the circuit are on the back of the board.
I turned the little black tube for the LDR of plastic on the lathe. It occurred to me while I was making it that I probably had several tens of metres of spare black irrigation tube from which I could have snipped off a centimetre in a heartbeat. There we are, it works.
For more detail: Fake TV Security Light


About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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