Hello everyone!

This is a project I have been planning do for a long time and I finally got the time to complete it!

Some nights we get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and the toilet. Sometimes when I turn on the light it can ruin my sleep so I wanted to build an automated circuit that will light up my toilet seat when I come close to it at night.

I have also seen a project here in instructables that uses glow-in-the-dark paint, but I couldnt find where to buy it at a reasonable price.

The actual light is dimmer than the picture but it is exactly as it should be.

Good luck!

Step 1: Parts and Tools

Things you will need for this project:

Tools:

-Soldering iron + Solder
-Permanent Marker
-Ruler
-Cutter
-Utility Knife
-Stapler
-Duct tape

Parts:

1 x PIR MOTION SENSOR (2.50$ - eBay)
1 x 4 AA Battery Holder (1$ - eBay)
8 x Super Bright LEDs (1$ for 20 - eBay)
13' Copper telephone wire (or any suitable wire)
3 x AA batteries
3 Pin jumper socket + wire (1$ - eBay)
2 Plastic cups
2 A4 papers
Clear multi use glue

Step 2: Measuring and Preparing

1. Lift your toilet seat, use the marker to mark the places for the LEDs. I found that 8 LEDs are enough for me. You dont want to use more than that because it is unnecessary. The distance between my LEDs was about 5".

2. Staple together the A4 papers. then draw the LED pattern on the A4 sheets.

3. Press the LEDs into the paper, remember to rotate all LEDs to the same direction - all longer legs directed inside or opposite.

Step 3: Soldering the LED's

1. Split the LEDs legs.

2. Turn over the paper sheets.

3. Cut 5" wires, strip 1/4" from each side and create a small loop.

4. Put 2 loops on each LED leg and solder.

5. Take 2 AA batteries and check your LEDs circuit - Connect to all LEDs together.

NOTE: you can solder the LEDs however you want to - this is what I found to be the most comfortable way.

Step 4: Finishing LED's

1. When you are done soldering, tear out the paper sheets from the LEDs.

2. Twist the wires so they will get tight and close.

3. Use glue on each LED - to isolate (+) and (-).

Step 5: The PIR Sensor

1. The PIR sensor has a 3 pin plug - Connect it to the 3 pin socket and write down which color is what - Ground, 5V , Load.

2. Make a hole on the top of one of the plastic cups, insert the jumper cable through it.

3. Cut a circle at the top of the 2nd plastic cup, the size of the sensor's dome.

4. Put the 2nd cup on top of the sensor.

5. Tighten and staple both plastic cups together then cut the excess plastic.

6. Solder 3 x 1' wires to the sensors wires (again - remember the colors and outputs)

7. Cut a small rectangle on the side of the cup to allow access to the sensors' controls (Sensitivity and Time)

Step 6: The Battery Holderp

We only need 3 AA batteries to operate this project so we are going to "hack" the battery holder.

1. Place 2 batteries - one on the left and the other on the right.

2. Cut a wire to a lenght slightly larger than a battery.

3. Strip both ends of the wire and make a loop in one end.

4 Place the un-looped end of the wire inside one spring while placing the 3rd battery to the same slot.

5. Connect the loop to the last spring.

Step 7: Hooking Everything Up!

1. Hook up the LEDs - LED's (+) to Sensor "LOAD", LED's (-) to Battery (-)

2. Hook up the Sensor - Sensor GND to Battery (-), Sensor 5V to Battery (+)

3. Hook it up to the toilet!!

My setup is temporary - I will use white silicone sealant but for now I have used duct tape.

4. Adjust the sensor - I use it on the MINIMUM of the sensitivity, if its not enough you can cover the sensor with another clear plastic cup to reduce its sensitivity even more! and as for the time - I set it to about 30 seconds..

Good luck and Sweet dreams!!