ChapStick LED Flashlight

This is an instructable on how to make a flashlight out of a ChapStick tube. After reading up on multiple LED instructables I thought it would be neat to make an original design that had not been done before. Since button cell batteries can be expensive, I went with an A23 (12V) battery that cost less than $2.00 for two.

Step 1: What you'll need:

ChapStick Tube
Tactile Switch
A23 Battery (12V)
470-Ohm Resistor
10mm White LED (28,500mcd, 20mA, 3.5V)
Solder
Heat Shrink Tubing
Wire
"N" Battery Holder
J-B Weld

Comments

[Adambowker98]

So, in step 5.... I didn't understand the instructions. Could you explain them a little better? I really want to build this.

[BCat]

What portion of the step are you needing further explanation on?

[Adambowker98]

I don't understand what you are putting on the bottom and what you are doing.

[BCat]

I just put a little piece of plastic down, between the two terminals of the tactile switch and soldered a metal tab (on top of the plastic) to one of the terminal connections on the tactile switch. Be careful because the plastic piece can melt. (This is the portion that the negative side of the battery will rest on.) The other terminal of the tactile switch has a piece of wire soldered to it (which you should actually do first.)

Clear as mud?

[Adambowker98]

But what good is the plastic between the two terminals?

[BCat]

It raises the metal tab up to make contact with the bottom of the battery and keeps it from making contact with the other terminal.

[stormy0314]

Could you use a voltage regulator instead of a resistor. I am just getting started in electronics and am not sure of all the substitutions.

[Adambowker98]

Maybe, but I think the resistor would work better for this project anyways considering its size.

[BasicCarl1]

can u use LED christmas lights? (the small ones)

[smelly210]

yes it worked for me

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[smelly210]

do u like flashlights lol

[Venemot]

Just letting you guys know a23 batteries have 8 1.5 volt button cells

[kieperm]

This is a great project. I started to tear apart the 12v battery and putting only 3 cells together. This way I don't need a resistor and save some $$ on the battery. Now if I could find a tool the would cut the 5mm square hole for the switch I could make these a little faster for some friends and Family.

[kieperm]

me and my daughter thought this would be a fer cool project to try out. I we are using the (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3060978) as our switch and since it has 4 posts on it I am not 100% sure how to wire it up so it will work. Any help would be great thanks

[leggomylegoeggo]

I believe the posts opposite each other are connected. as long as you connect posts that aren't directly opposite, it should work. http://www.flickr.com/photos/59935244@N03/5475275601/ http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Components/General/00097.jpg

[Flying_MashedPotatoes]

This might have been said already (or something similar) but what if you picked up a cheap scanning radio from the dollar store and attach the volume wheel to the spinning end of the chaptick? then you have light brightness controll; perfect for looking during the night without waking up ur wife. (lulz i dont have wife though, me only 18)

[arukaen]

Im new to the whole electronics hobby scene. Im trying todo this as my first project. So far I've failed horribly lol. I bought 2 LEDs one that I soldered and I think in my soldering screwed it up because it wont turn on when I connect it to my electronics lab kit. Then second one turned on but blew out. -_-

[jaketheman987]

You need to use resistors to reduce the current flow.

[Munchys]

Could i shrink heat shrink with a blow dryer?

[taleya]

You can, but you need a fairly beefy one. I've done it - if you have a salon-style hairdryer you can do it, but a cheapie one won't generate the heat.

[BCat]

I don't think a blow dryer gets hot enough. No access to a lighter or matches huh?

[Munchys]

I didnt know i could use a lighter

[Robot Lover]

this is really cool. I was thing of this idea a few days ago, but the switch was a pot that makes the led dim. 5*

[Osiris19]

 Could you use a SPST switch instead so you don't have to hold it down?

[BCat]

Absolutely.

[Osiris19]

 What type would you recommend?

[BCat]

The free type.  Honestly, I don't know.  I got my switch from a broken DVD player.  I'd probably get something like this: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062500&tab=features

[Osiris19]

 But, how would that work? It's rated at 250VAC and 3A. This switch would probably be better considering it's in the size range but the leads are little small.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3060978

[acgr46]

hey its very cool this..im new ati this things so its kind of difficult to follow some of the steps but i will try it. Where can i find the material?

[Osiris19]

 Radioshack.

[j574sbi]

sell me one?

[chinchymork]

wow what a great Instructable! I love it. I have seen this before and I just got around to making it! I did a crude job but it still works thats the main part! instead of your switch I found a momentary switch that I used it works great!

[aurorab17]

what kind of wire was used in this step?

[BCat]

I used the wire from the "N Battery Holder".

[R4Man18]

put this into a lipstick cont and give it to the lady.... lady ada. lol

[PyroMonger]

this is sweeeet....and convenient....and discrete..great job! 5/5

[Kaylen97]

wow I may have just made my instructables acount today but this deserves a blue ribbonb

[chriscc63]

you sun of a gun I was just prepairing the exact same instructable . yours is great too.

[Colonel88]

SUN????Heres an idea. LED DISCOBALL!!!!