LED Zippo Flashlight

Step 5 The Results

If it all came together the right you should have a working Zippo Lighter flashlight.  Show it off at the bar, tell all your friends, and please let me know what you think.



As I said at the beginning this was not my first attempt. Below are some pictures of my original prototype. I made it out of an old beat up Zippo at this point i put the switch at the bottom and used only one blue LED. 

Instructable created by RJ Koharik

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.

[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.

[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.

[rbormann]

Gee, I see a Zippo shortage on the market very soon...

[rpc24018]

Very Cool!

I wonder if there is a way to incorporate a switch into the lid. So when the lid is open the light turns on. Hmmmm

[xfirexstarzx]

look at the comment above yours. Use a normally closed reed switch inside the lighter insert and put a small magnet in the lid. When you open the lid and move the magnet away, the light comes on.

[Geeoff.]

Maybe you could use a larger switch, cut the plastic so that it's at a slant and when the lid is closed it pushes the switch in(Like the way a door handle works) and then just wire it backwards?
Don't know if that made any sense or if it's feasible, but it's an idea.

[berky93]

you cant simply wire a switch backwards. However, you can get a switch labeled NC or NCL which means "normally closed." Basically most switches are open circuits and pressing them completes the circuit, but with these switches they are normally completed and pressing them breaks the circuit. Perfect for, say, lights that open when a lid is opened.

[NoseyNick]

A Zippo for non-smokers! I want one! :-)