$100 Super Bright Flashlight for under $10!

Step 5 EZ Steps...

1. Disassemble the flashlight, removing the AA batteries (if installed) and factory lamp. Unscrew the top and then unscrew the small lamp housing to get to the lamp.
2. Install the Radio Shack lamp and re-assemble the housing
3. Drill or file down the ridges inside the flashlight to make room for the 123 batteries
4. Install the 3 Lithium Ion batteries and screw on the bottom.
5. Turn it on!
(Optional: I painted mine black satin to make it look like the real thing...and it IS!)

Here is the video of the whole project along with Test Results! Enjoy!

Comments

[n0ukf]

Are those redcargeable LITHIUM-ION or non-rechargeable LITHIUM (not ion)? You say "lithium ion" up there, but I didn't know RS sells individual rechargeable lithium cells. Be careful with your terminology.

[tehksupport]

The ones at radioshack are NOT rechargeable but you can find a good selection here:
http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=173
Note: the size 14500 are almost exactly the same as AA size. 18500's are longer but the same diameter, you can fit in 2 3.7 volt 14500's in most of the smaller flashlights for a nice even 7.2 volts and a KPR118 7.2 volt krypton bulb :D. Just watch out for melting plastic because these guys are powerfull. Also they have integrated regulators so these ones will NOT explode, or catch on fire, they will just stop working.

I recommend the following charger to go with those because it will fit size 123, 18500 down to 14500 size li-ions(for smaller than 18500 you may need a home made spacer). The only one they sell that can fit the majority of their batteries:
http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=468

[Kipkay]

You are the first person to catch that. My bad. I have corrected the description. Thanks!

[DarkStar851]

uh. no. that's how to burn down your house for under 10 bucks. x.x these batteries have a tendancy to heat up (A LOT!) if not used to their fullest in the circuit. Your voltage is fine, but the amperage from these batteries is a lot more than that needed for the bulb. +that means your bulb will get VERY hot, VERY fast. ( I reccomend hiding this from children who like playing "spotlight" or "manhunt". unless you LIKE forest fires :D )

[Grey_Wolfe]

What is the draw on the Krypton bulb, btw? I doubt it's 36v, but could you make a charge regulator to keep it from allowing the full charge to be drawn without an explosion risk?. Or, you could just use less 123's. Though I think I'd just parallel the 123's so my charge lasted longer. That's me though. Of course assuming that 12v's is the right output for my bulb.

[Grey_Wolfe]

Wait, 123's are 3v, I was thinking of A23's. A charge regulator for a 1.3v difference shouldn't be a problem, right? (I found the voltage on the bulb)

[M1ashooter]

3-123's =9volts. the KPR112 is a 6v bulb. Is that an issue? Would over voltage cause premature death of bulb? Tks
Gerald

[Grey_Wolfe]

I thought 123's were 12 volts. Was thinking of A23's. Oops.

[chrisayad]

might cause fire

[Sara_L]

Bravo, Kipkay! I will be making one of these tonight and putting it in my car! Thank you so much! - Sara

[chrisayad]

your car is going to catch on fire

[newboy78]

ok i built 2 of these.. the first one the bulb melted the reflector that holds it in. for the second one i removed the plastic bulb protector leans(so the heat could escape better?). i had problems with both flashlights removing the ridges from inside making the batteries hard to get in and out(even with all my tools and bits) not sure the location of the place he got his batteries but the batteries alone were over $10(walmart) then bulb(weaker then the one called for) was around $2 i believe. i do not belive it was worth it. i ended up picking up a very tough aluminum lumistar i got from radio shack for around $10.. put some AAA rechargeable in and have been very happy with it for a couple weeks now. used everyday.

[CloveMan3]

Made one of these over the weekend. Was showing the finished product to my wife and after having it on for about 5 minutes, the krypton bulb melted the plastic lens and fried the bulb. It works but the overheating is a serious design flaw. The bulb just gets too hot for the plastic housing. Wasted my money and time.

[shizzit3]

yea it would melt, but seriously who would keep a flashlight on for 5 min.?

[CloveMan3]

Guess you've never had the occasion to have to change a flat on the side of the road at night or work underneath the house in a crawlspace, etc. If I'd wanted a time-limit fashlight, I'd have bought a book of matches.

[shizzit3]

good point man.......im only 12

[stampajoe]

It is a great idea but the only problem is the cost of the 3 batteries at $5.24 each. Radio Shack price is $9.90 each. Any other ideas of buying inexpensive batteries?

[longgone]

You can purchase them online from surefire for $1.75. Ebay has them as low as $.50. Don't be afraid to order in quantity--They have a 10 year shelf life.

[Big Bwana]

the dollar store by me has them for ?? you guessed it a $1 each... they are not he duracell brand but they work just as well ...

[Pickles306]

Put it all together... and it just doesn't seem to work. I've tried adjusting the tabs to make sure they connect, taking it back apart 4 or 5 times and re-assembling it... and it just doesn't seem to work. I made very sure that I got the exact part numbers listed, the only difference is I'm using Energizer e^{2 since that just happened to be what Lowe's had in stock... still the same 123 lithium battery though. I'm starting to get tired of trying to get this to work after I've messed with it for 45 minutes on what should be a 5 minute project and I'm completely out of ideas. Does anyone have any ideas?}

[ronmcd]

wow you have hairy wrists