Mini Keg Touch Lamp

This is a lamp with a touch sensitive on/off/dimmer switch, in which the all metal body of a 5 liter mini keg acts as the switch.

I'm not the originator of the project, just cooler than my friend who chose not to make an instructable for his lamp.

Not including the keg itself, which will vary by beer type and location, all the other parts cost less than $20.00.

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Note:
This project involves modifying an electrical plug which could potentially be dangerous or a fire hazard. I'm not responsible for any damage caused by you following this instructable.

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Step 1: Parts

All the parts can easily be found in the electrical isles of your local Home Depot.

Parts:
- Mini Keg
- Touch Dimmer (screw-in type)
- Light Socket
- Light Bulbs
- Plug / Extension Cord
- Electrical Tape
- Aluminum Foil

Tools:
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Utility Knife

Comments

[SIRJAMES09]

and these mini kegs can be bought where?

again, forgive me but I am uneducated about such things.

I love this idea & would love to build one....was even thinking about one from a Pepsi type container...


I made one from an old outdated fire extinguisher one time...then took it to the place where you would get them recharged, & had all the "official" labels & stickers applied. Turned out really cool looking. :)

[SIRJAMES09]

Q:

Because I do not drink alcohol, I am uneducated about most things pertaining to beer & booze.

Is a pony keg & a mini keg the same thing?

I think the pony has like 10 gallons or less in it(sorry, but I do not know metric versions)...

[SirSkobes]

a mini keg is 5 liters.

a pony keg, or quarter barrel, is 7.75 gallons (~30 liters).

[SIRJAMES09]

imagine if this was an oil lamp....

you would prolly only have to fill it 1x a year? 2x at most...LOL

[nabboo]

Hi!!!!Very nice!!! I myself made one before i saw your one, check and see what you think!! It was my first one, i had some trouble getting the white tube trough the hole on the top...but it ended pretty good looking XD

[Artekus]

Sorry if I sound dense here...but if the lamp is turned on and off by touching the keg with bare skin, how is the dimmer operated? Cool instructable :)

[SirSkobes]

The first touch turns the lamp on dimly, second brightens it, third brightens it more, and forth touch turns it off.

[Derin]

nice,if i was you i would ground the metal keg somehow

[SirSkobes]

The keg doesn't need to be grounded, as it isn't part of the main circuit. The lamp part that connects to the wall socket is grounded. The keg is only part of the touch sensor, which is a capacitance switch that registers the increased capacitance in the circuit when skin is touching any part of the keg. This is why it won't work with gloves on.

[firestarter1000]

interesting use, wish i'd a thought of that

[dorxincandeland]

thats awesome.

[crapflinger]

project jacking is deffinitely not coold...no extra points...do not pass go...do not collect 200 dollars...etc.. i'd try to find a substance a little more reliable than tinfoil to make the contact between the touchmajig and the keg...but if it works it works

[irshags]

Not cool Sir-Skobes... As the above-mentioned "originator" of the project, I think it would've been more accurate to confess that, while you're the author of the instructable, you weren't cool enough to have thought of it yourself... I would've never given my consent had I known my coolness would be slandered in such a public forum. It just huts, that's all... Otherwise, good write-up.

[trebuchet03]

Link us up to your project ;) And slander is spoken -- libel is written ;)