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

[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)

[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.

[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!!!!

[geminiblair]

Hello, I need almost this exact same thing but in a 3 foot long tube, not chapstick and with a flashing LED and a trigger switch at the other end. I am not an electrician but I follow directions well. Can you help me? Cheers!!

[csmiler]

sun?

[thekinkyrivet]

I really liked your idea and have made a couple if you cut the threaded peice that moves the chapstick up in the first place and put the buttons on a small platform you can use twist base as an twist on twist off approach. Great job

[srmousse]

I like it... I think it would be even better if it were twist-on...

[zer6]

Awesome!

[anonimoto]

A very clever and well executed design.

[geeklord]

ditto, just the resistor sucking 70% of the power