Recycle Reminder Lamp from upcycled Water Bottle

This I'ble will show you how to craft a neat and simple portable lamp from a recycled water bottle. Not only will it shed its light for hours on end it will create a talking piece to prompt others to join in our fight to save the globe.

Save these valuable bottles and recycle/upcycle them any way you can!

Lets build our LED lamp.

This is a entry to the "Keep the bottle" contest. Please take the time to vote if you think the idea, is worth me getting a prize for it. I would really enjoy the prize, so please vote.

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: What you will need

We will only need a few items for this prject. They include

~ Two water bottles.

~ Scissors.

~ One High powered LED . (Preferably out of some old electronics)

~ An applicable battery for your LED (If you can not obtain a battery to suit, purchase some resistors from your local electronics store.).

~ One rocker switch (purchase one from your local electronics store or salvage it from old electronics)

~ Glue.

~ 240 grit sand paper.

gr8fldanielle says: Dec 8, 2011. 9:49 AM

very cool and simple as well. I can see making this using a recycled either mercury switch or a gravity type switch where when the lamp is turned over, it lights, flip it again and it goes off. that might if thought out eliminate having an obstruction on the side of the lamp. great i'ble, certainly gives me ideas, thanks.

cokecola says: Jan 11, 2009. 5:58 PM

I am going to try this with a color changing LED. I think it will be cool. I have one question and forgive me if I missed it but where are the batteries in your photos? Did you use coin batteries?

Lftndbt (author) in reply to cokecolaFeb 6, 2009. 12:27 AM

Remember to VOTE!!!

Lftndbt (author) in reply to cokecolaJan 11, 2009. 7:50 PM

The batteries are located inside the epoxy LED module. Yes an RGB module would be nice. i had a few around the house but can't find them now. If I can, I'll post another i'ble on a RGB version. Thanks for your comment.

disturbedreaper says: Jan 18, 2009. 10:30 AM

like the sanding idea

Lftndbt (author) in reply to disturbedreaperFeb 6, 2009. 12:27 AM

Remember to VOTE!!!

Lftndbt (author) in reply to disturbedreaperJan 18, 2009. 7:07 PM

Yes it does add a certain charm to the plastic. thanks for your comment!

necropolian says: Feb 3, 2009. 12:26 PM

i posted a little glass light bottle a few days before this one...

Lftndbt (author) in reply to necropolianFeb 3, 2009. 4:31 PM

By my calcs its about 5 months ago you posted "Star of Eridanil". Nice I'ble by the way! Did you see my Capture a Fallen Star?

necropolian in reply to LftndbtFeb 5, 2009. 12:08 PM

well, if your 'calcs' say so...I dinnae blame you. but my memory indicates an enlarged stress level around the date of 31 december 2008, because I wanted to publish it before that "'workshop, show your creation'" contest ended. and that isn't 5 months ago, but maximum 10 days before the publishement date on this. 'ible. because of this I willnae vote for you, but i'll rate a 4. isn't that a good deal?

Lftndbt (author) in reply to necropolianFeb 6, 2009. 12:26 AM

Oh? "By my calcs" I meant I checked the publish date on your I'ble and it says -

Author:necropolian
Joined:Jul 5, 2008
Instructables:10

published: Dec 31, 2008

Guess I checked to fast.... I read your join date as published date....

It is a pity on the deadline issue as you could have entered in the contest too. I guess i'll just have to contend with the several other "Bottle light" I'bles.

Thanks for the rating, but you know you really should vote. ;)

Lftndbt (author) says: Jan 25, 2009. 8:47 PM

Have a need for a Simple Shower Caddy?

Lftndbt (author) says: Jan 25, 2009. 8:44 PM

Check out my high Quality drinking Cups as well!!

mdeblasi1 says: Jan 13, 2009. 10:14 AM

Lftndbt,
I don't mean to get all stuff white people like on you, but I think you mean "Simple LED lamp," as simplistic implies Moronic, and this is anything but.
M

Lftndbt (author) in reply to mdeblasi1Jan 13, 2009. 9:29 PM

Just following up on your reference, as I was not aware of the direct corrolation between simplistic and moronic. After searching several online dictionaries and my hard copy here, I am yet to find any. May I ask where you found your reference as I would very much like to correct myself? Simplistic (adj.) characterized by extreme and often misleading simplicity Overly simple; In a manner that simplifies the issue to a degree where many important details are lost; not complex ; simple ; usually an insult overly simplified, as in: The drug problem hasn't been solved by simplistic slogans like "Just say no".

mdeblasi1 in reply to LftndbtJan 14, 2009. 6:45 AM

Well, there it is: "usually an insult" Sorry to have rattled you; wasn't trying to, I like the lamp. Cheers, M

Lftndbt (author) in reply to mdeblasi1Jan 14, 2009. 8:04 PM

Te he he! It would take alot more than a helpful comment to "rattle" me friend. I am still a bit lost on the reference to "Moronic" though, I must say. I guess it may be cultural aswell. In Australia even if someone called you "simplistic" it would be taken as a complement, as the opposite is to be "complex" which would not be a complement here.

mdeblasi1 in reply to LftndbtJan 15, 2009. 8:12 AM

Oh, I didn't realize you were in the antipodes. That could explain the difference. Nice to say hello to someone who is on the opposite side of the world, opposite time of day and opposite season. Here, in Columbus, OH, US, it is 1deg. Fahrenheit today (17C) and there are 4" or 5" (11cm) of snow on the ground. Staying in and making lamps seems like a good idea.

Lftndbt (author) in reply to mdeblasi1Jan 15, 2009. 7:54 PM

LoL it is 104 degree Fahrenheit today here. Damn hot!!

madhops0620 in reply to mdeblasi1Jan 15, 2009. 1:39 PM

1 deg. Fahrenheit? Here in Lansing, Michigan it's -12 and tomorrow it is supposed to get down to -28 degrees Fahrenheit. We have about 5 inches of snow too, maybe an inch or so more. Staying inside sounds like a good idea to me too.

kelseymh says: Jan 9, 2009. 10:45 AM

Great idea, and very nice presentation with lots of detail. This is a nice simple version that is well suited to beginners actually following! Something more complex, e.g., with a few colored LEDs and a simple RC network for color changing (no Arduino :-) would probably be quite striking. One small request; please use your favorite spelling and grammar checker on the text :-) There are a few "going too fast" typos that deserve to be fixed.

Lftndbt (author) in reply to kelseymhJan 9, 2009. 2:21 PM

Hmmm, just my mistake are too confusing for the i'bles spell check. Sorry i will have to re-read it again.

kelseymh in reply to LftndbtJan 9, 2009. 4:21 PM

No problem. It's a really well put together project :-)

gmjhowe says: Jan 9, 2009. 6:53 AM

Nice work.

Lftndbt (author) in reply to gmjhoweJan 9, 2009. 6:59 AM

Geez your quick!! Thankyou my friend, that is appreciated.

gmjhowe in reply to LftndbtJan 9, 2009. 7:02 AM

Indeed, i am quick. I think the frosting works really well. I would be tempted to get some slightly fancier bottles. and clustering them into a lamp shape.

Lftndbt (author) in reply to gmjhoweJan 9, 2009. 7:16 AM

I must say though the LeD was a lil' bright for my tastes. They next one I might step down the voltage a tad. Yes I think we will see the "sanding" technique comes heavily into play during this contest. It some how removes the "bottle" aspect and creates more of an object. If you get what I mean.

Lftndbt (author) in reply to gmjhoweJan 9, 2009. 7:13 AM

Oh!!! Yes indeed ! The possibilities are endless!! A cluster design and fancier bottles would look fantastic. I must remember to raid my works recycling bin after im finished. They all think I am funny as. I don't care though, they make for great projects!

gmjhowe in reply to LftndbtJan 9, 2009. 8:27 AM

not as funny when the guys at work see my taking tubes, large peices of card etc..

Lftndbt (author) in reply to gmjhoweJan 11, 2009. 12:53 AM

I ask my co-workers to save the tubes and card for me. LoL