LED Zippo Flashlight

This is a simple step by step guide to make your own Zippo Lighter LED Flashlight.

A few years ago Zippo had a flashlight version of their amazing classic lighter. These Zippo flashlights never really caught on, most likely because they were dim and the batteries didn't last. None the less, I thought this was a good idea and wanted to find a way to do it better.
Now I know what some of you are thinking, "Why would some one take apart a perfectly good Zippo?"  I have multiple lighters and I don't smoke. The only thing I use a lighter for is igniting fireworks and campfires. 
So, why not make an awesome flashlight ? The Zippo Lighter is an American icon and I wanted to put a new spin on it. Here is my idea, creation, and Instructables project. I hope you enjoy.  

For more information on LEDs please see the Wikipedia page ( HERE ). Truly amazing stuff. 

This is my second version of this project. If you would like to see my prototype and first try at this idea please see the last step. 

Step 1 Parts and Tools

You will need the following parts:
- Zippo Lighter
- Super bright white LED x2
- Mini Switch (I used a mini momentary switch from Radio Shack)
- Button cell battery x2
- Small gauge wire (I tore apart some old cat5 cable)
- Shrink tube
- Super glue
- Electrical tape

Tools:
- Soldering Iron and solder
- Helping hands 
- Rotary cutting tool (Dremel Tool) or hacksaw
- Ruler 
- X-acto knife
- Pliers 
- Scissors
- Voltage meter (probably won't need this but I always have it around) 
- Small drill bit or needle file 

You may not need all of these tools but they may come in handy. 

Comments

[sashadistan]

I have (literally) just completed this project. Thanks for the cool ideas. I ended up threading my positive wire through the other hole below the switch and you can barely see it. My solder joins were quite large.

This was my first electronic project since I was about 12 and now I am training to become a DT teacher, so thank you for helping me to improve my electronic knowledge.

[Boyscout201]

Awesome, I'm glad I could help someone. I'de like to see your work.

[sn0manX]

about 14 years ago zippo actually made these. my dad worked on the machine that made them. it was built at classic manufacturing in Minnesota. i was like 3 and i put one together by myself XD

[Boyscout201]

that is awesome. I wanna see this machine. I wonder if there is an episode of How It's Made for the Zippo?

[Mrcheese15]

this is really late but yes there is a how its made for zippos

[Boyscout201]

Cool I Must see this !

[Heywasup]

hey, i know im a bit late on this but i need some help with my take on this project. my lighter isnt a traditional zippo and theres some major differences and modifications that need to be done to the wiring. im just a beginner at this stuff so if you could spare some time and help me out it would be great.

[Mrcheese15]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW1JyHSyzPk

[sn0manX]

i think they discontinued them soon after initial production, just werent selling i guess. i actually have one somewhere at my grandparents. i gotta find that thing

[Heywasup]

i know im a bit late on this but i need some help with my take on this project. my lighter isnt a traditional zippo and theres some major differences and modifications that need to be done to the wiring. could some1 spare some time and help me out?

[octochan]

This is great! I don't smoke, and I don't see the point of keeping a filled Zippo around just to let all the fuel evaporate. I want to keep the striker wheel as a switch somehow, though.

[gg1220]

The flint wheel is designed to have a bit of play when you push down on it, so you could probably find a push button switch that engages at a very small distance and put it where the flint is supposed to go, or if that doesn't work you could try drilling out the wheel a bit more to add a little more play and see what happens.

[molyca1986]

Exactly what type of batteries did you use? All it says in the list is button cells...

[Boyscout201]

the exact batteries I used ...
2x Lithium CR1220 3V

[ggourley1]

Just finished my LED zippo. Created a nc switch with a push on top of the inside of the lid. Wonderful idea! I can't wait to build my next one

[tomwinget]

awesome, did mine over the weekend, only needed one led :)

[Boyscout201]

Awesome Job!

[wrightway]

Great instructable! I've spent many long cold weekends out camping unprepared realizing that my zippo was out of fluid and my flashlight was still at home on the kitchen table, seeing as I always have my Zippo around this is a great idea. I'm gonna play around with it abit, try to modify it to see if I could do what MadManMoe64 did and have it flashlight AND lighter in one. hell I'll even make one for my dad!

[altomic]

you could maybe put some LEDs in to the lid. using the case to ground you'd need only one wire.

some extra light.

[suenami]

they make super brights without the need for a resistor in the circuit now? sorry, it's been a while since I did stuff like this.

[Lhtrf]

that was probably a pair of 1.5v batteries, and since leds run on 3.4v they would be underpowered, so no need for a resistor. (not all, but most colors do, i dont know about super brights, maybe they are 6v, so in that case i suppose he could have used 6v)

[Boyscout201]

I used two 3v button cells. After some testing I found they worked perfectly with my two super bright LEDs. I left the voltage gargen out because LEDs come in all kind of voltages and the builder will hafto make his or her own calculations based on what kind of LED they use and how bright they want to push it. Use ohms law or a resistance calculation or just test it a bunch of different ways to find what works best for your LEDs.

[madmanmoe64]

Really nice project, very clean looking.

Next step is, make one that has an LED and still can light a flame.

(made this when I was about 14 which is why it's kinda crummy.

[Boyscout201]

COOL !
I like the graphic

[UCBearcat]

This is an awesome project. Extremely practical. I like projects that do something more than just look cool.
Cheers

[weaponscollector94]

i don't smoke but i have 12 different zippos. the reason is that i collect them. you should just do this with a cheap Chinese copy. those are only like $4:50 or less.

[dscotthep]

Very cool project!

One suggestion: ground the LEDs to the metal case and eliminate the negative wiring.

[Phoghat]

A so, very wise. I bet you work on cars.

[dscotthep]

No, not cars. I do dabble in homebrew amateur radio...

[Boyscout201]

I tried this in my original prototype and the battery was dead in 2 weeks. I'm not entirely sure but I think that this was caused by grounding it to the case.

[Pheelix]

Thanks for the idea! I made one today and will refine my next one. I used my spark wheel ( after some reshaping ) to hold down the switch. Think I will be giving it to my son... that'll freak his mom out.

[shizumadrive]

I like the side switch where the spark wheel used to be. The bottom of the case not so much.

[Opalinus]

I have done a very similiar modification a few years ago, but I used a circuit to spare the second button cell.

Further informations (german): http://opalinus.bplaced.net/bunte-lichter/

Link to the circuit (german): http://b-kainka.de/bastel36.htm

[severepb]

cool idea. i may try this with some old zippos i have. enter this into the led contest

[Phoghat]

Send me your old ones and I'll replace them with new. New lamps for old!

[severepb]

woops, i just found it in the contest

[chaosrob]

Very kool. Add a red or blue Laser Diode and turn it 'back' into a lighter. You also could use a magnetic reed switch to turn on the LEDs.

[berky93]

I think I've actually seen a zippo mod where someone put in a laser diode to make it a burning laser. The battery life must suck though.

[Phoghat]

See KipKay.com for a blue diode laser burner in a Bic lighter. I don't see why that couldn't fot in a Zippo.

[littlewit]

First of all, very cool idea. I like the mods made from the first one.
Can anyone think of a way to make the LEDs turn on when you open the zippo?