Do you have lots of spare computer parts? Do you like to be prepared for emergencies? Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse? Do you get what I mean when I say the word "Junk-Punk"?
If so, then you should build yourself a Recycled Computer Power Supply Lantern!
Using salvaged, repurposed, and reused components, we'll build a 12V/11w electric lantern.
This all started recently when I was talking with a friend at the Milwaukee Makerspace. I was working on a simple wiring project and chatting and the friend showed me a couple of 5ah lead acid batteries he salvaged, which were perfectly good, and he was giving to anybody who wanted one. It's a great size rechargeable battery, and the size and shape reminded me of the "old-fashioned" lanterns that use a 9V dry cell. That, plus a discussion of zombie movies made me wonder - Do I have the skills to not only build a portable light from little more than scrap materials, but also build something better than I could buy?
I took it as a challenge, and proceeded to build the Power Supply Lantern.
If so, then you should build yourself a Recycled Computer Power Supply Lantern!
Using salvaged, repurposed, and reused components, we'll build a 12V/11w electric lantern.
This all started recently when I was talking with a friend at the Milwaukee Makerspace. I was working on a simple wiring project and chatting and the friend showed me a couple of 5ah lead acid batteries he salvaged, which were perfectly good, and he was giving to anybody who wanted one. It's a great size rechargeable battery, and the size and shape reminded me of the "old-fashioned" lanterns that use a 9V dry cell. That, plus a discussion of zombie movies made me wonder - Do I have the skills to not only build a portable light from little more than scrap materials, but also build something better than I could buy?
I took it as a challenge, and proceeded to build the Power Supply Lantern.
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Signing UpStep 1: Tools & Materials
To start, let's review the tools and materials for the project.
Nearly all materials for this project were recycled, salvaged, or reused. The project was based on the materials that I had on hand. If you want to build something similar, you might have to buy something. Better yet, why don't you build a project using just the materials YOU have on hand, and see what you come up with!
Materials:
Dead computer power supply
12V landscape lighting bulb
12V rechargeable battery - 5AH or other size that fits inside power supply
Foam or other scrap spacing material
Glue
1/4" crimp-on spade terminals
Zip-Ties
Electric tape or heat-shrink
Battery Charger
You might notice that I didn't list either a switch or any wire in the list of materials. That's because we will re-use the switch, wiring, and power port already in the power supply.
Tools are basic, that no respectable DIY'er would be without, but when it comes down to it, most could all be replaced with a Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman.
Tools:
Phillips Screw Driver
Wire Stripper
Wire Crimper
Side Cutters
Drill and bits
Multimeter (Optional)
Nearly all materials for this project were recycled, salvaged, or reused. The project was based on the materials that I had on hand. If you want to build something similar, you might have to buy something. Better yet, why don't you build a project using just the materials YOU have on hand, and see what you come up with!
Materials:
Dead computer power supply
12V landscape lighting bulb
12V rechargeable battery - 5AH or other size that fits inside power supply
Foam or other scrap spacing material
Glue
1/4" crimp-on spade terminals
Zip-Ties
Electric tape or heat-shrink
Battery Charger
You might notice that I didn't list either a switch or any wire in the list of materials. That's because we will re-use the switch, wiring, and power port already in the power supply.
Tools are basic, that no respectable DIY'er would be without, but when it comes down to it, most could all be replaced with a Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman.
Tools:
Phillips Screw Driver
Wire Stripper
Wire Crimper
Side Cutters
Drill and bits
Multimeter (Optional)
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The battery could run a car lamp for 1 hour or the lamp I used for 5 hours. It's more than bright enough for my needs, but yes, a person could use a headlight if they wanted to.
But nevertheless good project.
Connecting what is clearly a mains power input to the battery terminals is VERY DUMB.
Someone, (perhaps even you in a while when you forget how it's wired), will connect this to the mains and the results will be ugly.
Good design is first and foremost inherently safe. This is an accident waiting to happen.
One suggestion:
It has enough space to put the charger in the box!
The charger also does not weigh that much!
Then, to load only necessary to use a standard PC cable.
good value for you and for the community
I actually have a term for this; it's "Junk-Punk".
Please feel free to use this term and share it with all your friends.
Sometimes a lower light level, is all you need to be able to navigate around a room.
You could use the 115/230 switch to put a resistor, into the circuit, so you could have a hi/lo setup.
I wish your future version uses power LEDs.
It's not particularly light, but hangs very nicely from the handle. It has a sense of solidness to it.
I already had a 12V bulb just kicking around, and it lights up a large area.
To purchase an LED/LEDs with the same light output, it would have been significantly more expensive, more time spent soldering, etc. etc.
If you already have some high-output LEDs laying about unused, they would be GREAT to use in a similar project.