abvidledUK
Flashlight Enthusiast
9v 2 led torch £1.25 ($2.25)
Self explanatory really, as per photo's.
Two keychain light LEDs, 50p (or less) each. You get to keep the batteries. And keyring.
Old Duracell Copper top 9v PP3 battery, remove connectors, which in Duracell are in a nice little potable holder, approx 5mm deep, on reverse of connectors.
Solder (quickly) two leds together, (hint: pre-tin led and battery connector strips ) solder to reverse of PP3 connectors, observing polarity of course, then pot using quick setting epoxy resin (eg araldite) for mechanical stability, having tested circuit works.
And of course led alignment for beam required.
Use quick setting epoxy, it will still flow to provide smooth surface, and you will want to try out the torch as soon as possible.
My 30 minute setting epoxy took around 3 hours to set, due to quantity. (approx 25p cost of epoxy used)
Now to the interesting bit:
A nice bright output, equivalent to my 12 led Ghost 2, RT in excess of 30 hours ? using alkaline PP3.
Using an old used Carbon PP3, to date, 12 hours RT.
Initial current consumption is 80ma, so LEDs are overdriven a bit, but not excessively so, they give a nice white light, not blue.
Current drops to 50ma, or less, after a short period, running down to 18ma for some LEDs.
Output is more than adequate for indoors night-time wanderings.
And it stands on base !
You can also swivel leds using one connector, indoors, so you don't lose leds !
My PP3's (Procells) come with a small rubber isolation cap for the positive terminal, but I'd still be wary of shorting PP3 in pocket.
It also works on 6v 4AA battery box, with PP3 connectors, but quite dim, drawing 5ma. 4.8v too low.
Needless to say, the "torch" is not water proof in any way, and the PP3 terminals are still a little exposed.
Now for the annoying bit:
If I'd done this a year ago, I could have saved myself in excess of £200 on new torches !!!
Not strictly true, as the torches I have, have higher output, for outside use, or other facilities, such a different output settings, and on/off switches / twisties !
Hint, keep one used, fully drained, PP3, for connecting other upside down connector pot, for soldering purposes.
Kicking myself too for throwing away all those old Duracell smoke alarm batteries, with their nice little connector tops.
Still, a nice little project every few months as my PP3's are used up.
(Several smoke alarms, PIR alarm detectors, other 9v torches etc)
Self explanatory really, as per photo's.
Two keychain light LEDs, 50p (or less) each. You get to keep the batteries. And keyring.
Old Duracell Copper top 9v PP3 battery, remove connectors, which in Duracell are in a nice little potable holder, approx 5mm deep, on reverse of connectors.
Solder (quickly) two leds together, (hint: pre-tin led and battery connector strips ) solder to reverse of PP3 connectors, observing polarity of course, then pot using quick setting epoxy resin (eg araldite) for mechanical stability, having tested circuit works.
And of course led alignment for beam required.
Use quick setting epoxy, it will still flow to provide smooth surface, and you will want to try out the torch as soon as possible.
My 30 minute setting epoxy took around 3 hours to set, due to quantity. (approx 25p cost of epoxy used)
Now to the interesting bit:
A nice bright output, equivalent to my 12 led Ghost 2, RT in excess of 30 hours ? using alkaline PP3.
Using an old used Carbon PP3, to date, 12 hours RT.
Initial current consumption is 80ma, so LEDs are overdriven a bit, but not excessively so, they give a nice white light, not blue.
Current drops to 50ma, or less, after a short period, running down to 18ma for some LEDs.
Output is more than adequate for indoors night-time wanderings.
And it stands on base !
You can also swivel leds using one connector, indoors, so you don't lose leds !
My PP3's (Procells) come with a small rubber isolation cap for the positive terminal, but I'd still be wary of shorting PP3 in pocket.
It also works on 6v 4AA battery box, with PP3 connectors, but quite dim, drawing 5ma. 4.8v too low.
Needless to say, the "torch" is not water proof in any way, and the PP3 terminals are still a little exposed.
Now for the annoying bit:
If I'd done this a year ago, I could have saved myself in excess of £200 on new torches !!!
Not strictly true, as the torches I have, have higher output, for outside use, or other facilities, such a different output settings, and on/off switches / twisties !
Hint, keep one used, fully drained, PP3, for connecting other upside down connector pot, for soldering purposes.
Kicking myself too for throwing away all those old Duracell smoke alarm batteries, with their nice little connector tops.
Still, a nice little project every few months as my PP3's are used up.
(Several smoke alarms, PIR alarm detectors, other 9v torches etc)
Last edited:
nice thread man, how about switch "on" =2white leds, switch "off"=1flashing type(+resistored)red led ????
