Hey guys, got a bit of an odd question for you. I'm set to get possession of my first house in about a month and a half and I want to make little lighted base for our house number.

Basic idea is to have a wooden base with an LED strip laid on it firing up with a pane of plexiglass or something similar directly over top of the LED strip (on edge). I'd then mount the house numbers to the plexiglass. The idea is to have the plexiglass kind of light up in order to create the contrast needed to be able to see the numbers at night. Do you think the plexiglass would light up the way I'm wanting or would I have to try something else?

Here is a highly technical drawing to give you a slightly better idea of what I'm wanting to do.

 

Are you going to power it with a solar cell & battery combo?

Your schematic looks legit, it should work as designed.


Off-off Topic:
I should make my Batman license shield like that - & with the frosted back plane - so you can't see my real Lic#...

 

I'm planning on just using an led driver with a photosensitive switch unit to turn it on when it gets dark. If that goes well I might look at creating one that works off a battery and small solar panel. I want this thing lighting up like crazy hence the dedicated power supply. I've ordered the major electrical parts, so once they arrive I'll be able to figure out what I need in the way of small stuff (ie connectors etc.) I'll get the electrical part of it figured out then get working on the base/housing once that is done.

 

cool idea congrats on the house

 

I make edge lit LED signs as a side business. The plexi will only show the light if something gets in the lights path. The best way to do what you want is print out the house numbers in reverse. Take your dremel and engrave the back of the sheet of plexi. I use my sandblaster for this. The light only reflects off of any scratches, etching etc. Am I making sense?
You are on the right track to awesome house numbers. I will try to remember to post a couple pics of signs I have done.

 

I think I'm following, basically I want to etch the backside of the plexiglass? Leave the front so its nice and smooth and looks good but have the back work as the functional part. That makes sense, I had a feeling that I'd have to do something like that. Works on another level as I won't have to buy the house numbers, that'll cut the cost down a fair bit.

 

Yep you got it. I cant seem to find any of my sign pictures. Keep the front smooth. The etched numbers and the edge of the plexi will glow with whatever color led you buy.