Mini Christmas Tree (With Lights!)

Step 3 Solder The Lights

Soldering the lights is actually a lot easier than it looks. What I did is run all 6 LEDs in parallel off of one 3V battery pack. I used LEDCalculator.com to find what resistor I would need for each LED. I found out that I would need 62 Ohm Resistors for the Red lights, and 20 Ohm resistors for the green. I rounded up and decided to use 68 Ohm, and 22 Ohm.

Here's how I soldered it.

First, I heavily tinned the leads of the resistors. Then I soldered a resistor to the positive leg of each LED.

Next, I heavily tinned the leads of several two inch long wires. I soldered one wire to the negative leg of each LED.

Third, I connected all of the resistors together.

Fourth, I connected all of the negative wires together.

Finally, I Soldered the positive end of the battery pack (with switch) to the positive legs of the LEDs. I soldered the negative end of the battery pack to the negative legs of the LEDs. You can then just shove the battery pack inside the tree. There should be room.

It sounds complicated, but is actually easy. Also, don't worry about burn marks on the cup. You won't be able to see them from the outside.

**NOTE** Once you're done soldering, coat everything with hot glue, so no connections short.