How to make a magnetic mountable solar minty light (solar powered flashlight )

Build a solar powered flashlight in an Altoids tin for next to nothing. Contains high efficiency leds. Completely self powered. Uses a solar panel, a rechargeable battery, 5 extremely bright white leds, and a toggle switch. Everything fits into your Altoids tin. I built this to use as headlights on my longboard.

Parts List:
-1 Solar powered garden light (I bought one of these for $4.88 at the register http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jspStoreDir=hdus&catalogId=10053&productId=202080419&navFlow=3&keyword=873046003508
included was a rechargeable battery, a solar panel, and an led.
-4 Recycled key chain leds (or plain leds http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3060980 $3.98
-1 Toggle Switch http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062497 $3
-Altoids candy $3 (I used a switch from an older diy project)
-Rare earth magnets (optional)
-Wire (you should have this already)
-Electrical tape (you should have this already as well)

Total Price using recycled parts = free
Total gross price = $14.86

Tools List
-Soldering iron
-Solder
-Brass sponge (optional)
-Dremel (you can use a drill if you don't have one)
-Hot glue gun
-Wire cutter / stripper

Step 1: Freeze the Altoids

Take the Altoids tin, open it up, empty it out, fill it up with (cold) water, close it, and place it in the freezer. I left mine in for around 4 hours.

This makes it so when you drill holes in it, it does not dent the can.

Comments

[playafamily]

i like it thanks

[internethotspot]

I like the idea of using it in a vehicle. I would think it would be nice also to separate the solar panel from the lights, to dash mount, etc. the panel, and have the LEDs in convenient places. Maybe even use color LEDs for that cool under-dash look.

[yourdiyguy]

Great job. This looks way brighter than mine. I will have to use more LEDs when I make another one. These things are so cool.