usb christmas lights

this project was inspired by the following web page:
http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/62/44/
that said, there are unlimited numbers of things that can be powered by usb. with the holidays coming up, why not christmas lights? i've added a switch to the original design to allow me to turn them on and off without unplugging the usb cable. The whole thing is mounted into an enclosure (altoids tin, of course), purely for aesthetics.

Step 1: Get your equipment

i began with a battery operated set of christmas lights, and the male end of a usb cable. i cut off the c battery holder, taking care to mark which wire was positive and which was negative. frankly, this may not matter in this case, but i wasn't completely sure, and i'm a better safe than sorry kind of guy. i stripped the ends of the wires and twisted them to keep them together. i then stripped the outer sheathing off the usb cable and located the red and black wires. these are the only ones we will need. if you're following along with me, strip them too. for an enclosure, i chose--of course--an altoids tin. this, however, is the first project i've seen inside an altoids smalls tin. (at least that's something)

oh, i also use a small toggle switch and some solder and what not.

Comments

[hi111]

 i am a 12 year old electric novice and would like to now if someone could tell me how to wire a 5v regulator in this schematic

i already have it built and it charges my psp but i am making it able to charge my ipod and think a $2 regulator is worth less than a psp or ipod

[cdousley]

here you go im 14 and love electronics its great to see younger people into buildings stuff

[pdub77]

well done!

[cdousley]

: D

[BluePhenox]

(removed by author or community request)

[pdub77]

Really, SSBBROB?  Lay off the kid.  He's (or she's) just trying to learn about electronics.  Maybe he'll be the person who gets excited about this stuff and ends up inventing something amazing we will all use someday.  And maybe his parents helped him out or he is using his dad's (or mom's) account.  However he (or she) is on this site, the comments are on my project and don't concern you.  And if there is a legitimate problem, report it to the actual Instructables admin.  Cheers!

[pdub77]

Just do an Instructables search for '9v USB charger' and you will come up with a host of projects much like this:  http://www.instructables.com/id/Super-Simple-Ipod-Battery-Charger-Altoids-Tin/

As well, depending on where you buy your regulator the basic wiring should be on the package.  Radio Shack?  It's on there.  Just wire it up and go to town.

(I accept no responsibility for fried-pods. . .)

[pdub77]

Also check out 'matroska's' post if you haven't already.  Very useful.  Thanks, matroska!

[hi111]

 thanks that helped alot

[pdub77]

No sweat.  Hope all goes well.  Post some pics when the deal is done.  = )

[cdousley]

ohh i didnt see where this was answered but i hope i helped a little

[iProton]

 I'd also give it a tumbler switch or a dimmer :P Just in case.

[matroska]

 Very neat! I'll be using this to power my ipods and iphone!

By the way, for those looking -like me- to power real usb devices, you will need some modification made so that the device will know it's a "real" usb port.

See this instructable for more details: 
www.instructables.com/id/How_to_get_your_iPod_to_charge_with_your_homemade_/

Unfortunatly, as is, it will not power iPods or any other devices that requires some kind of usb standard. (Which is why in that instructables all the 4 pins are used.) Good luck all and thanks.

[Sk8erCk4Life]

Can you use a set of christmas lights and power them with a pc.

[boyrock375]

it could be possible if you can find a way to turn 5 volts into twelve volts then you can use an inverter to turn twelve volts into 120 volts then TA DA.

[pdub77]

usb is around 5v whether you're on a mac or a pc. if you have a set of lights that can run on 5v you can power it with either. all i'm doing is harvesting power, not the operating system.

[pdub77]

if you're talking about straight out of the box plug-in(120v) Christmas lights, no.

[TheInventor]

Quote pdub420:i've used white electrical tape to insulate the soldered ground wires. color doesn't really make a difference, but please, please! don't EVER use red!! just kidding.|| That was hilarius!!! +1

[led235]

how many volts come out of a computer USB Socket?

[quanta]

5 Volts

[Ka - X japan]

could you makes this work with music on your computer?

[Yerboogieman]

Here it is....

[Yerboogieman]

i mad this battery pack...
http://www.hackaday.com/2005/01/20/how-to-make-a-usb-battery/7#comments
the battery is only a little warm but im not sure about it.....and i made the usb christmas lights with the same everything...its pretty kool...the battery pack on this instructable got me interested...

[pdub77]

i'm glad my instructable inspired you. that's what it's all about. you should post a pic of your usb lights, if you want. i'd like to see it.

[nerdsrock007]

Didnt you think about other uses to this? This could be the neighborhoods best halloween pumpkin.

[rbhays]

I would test the lights before I would hot glue them in place lol. I wonder if the lights will last longer since there is less power going through than normal?

[pdub77]

actually, these lights were originally made to run on two c batteries. that's 3 volts. usb provides about 5 volts.

[zachninme]

On the x-mas lights, why did you use the tin? You just spliced 2 wires...

[pdub77]

a. i soldered the wires and didn't tape them. using an enclosure keeps everything from being pulled apart. b. i added a toggle switch to turn them on and off without having to unplug them from the usb port. an enclosure was necessary to mount the switch to something. c. it was something fun to do with an altoids smalls tin.

[Fog]

i dont get it! why go through all that troule, if ur gonna use another battery!!? :S

[pdub77]

if you'll reread, my friend, you would see that i was just using the battery to test it before plugging it into my computer. it tested fine and i am using them with my mac. it just so happened that my usb charger was the perfect thing to use to test it. voltage was right on. hope that clears it up.

[pdub77]

yeah, treb, i can dig. i just liked the simplicity. i'm cutting my teeth, remember. take care and thanks for the kind words.

[trebuchet03]

Nice work :) --- Looks like a basic 5v power supply -- if you want something more efficient, search for the mintyboost by ladyada ;)

[atombomb45]

Nice. I like the battery pack too.