Introduction: The Universal Multicolour Torch (flashlight)

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I like LEDs. And I like torches. I have always been looking for a torch that combines all LED colours that I want, including infrared and ultraviolet. As this combination is hard to come by, or extremely sumptuous, I chose to build one myself using a cheap torch bought on eBay and some inexpensive parts.

Do not underestimate the effort of desoldering and soldering, though. It took me about a day altogether to finish the project.

Step 1: What You Need

I tried to make the project as inexpensive as possible and so I came up with the following parts:
• 1 torch with 52 white LEDs, bought from eBay for 12 Euros, shipping included. I tried to get one with as much unused space inside as possible, and I was lucky. Maybe you can get a cheap one at your local electronics store and have it disassembled before buying.
• Given a 52 LED setting, I chose the following combination (all LEDs are of 5 mm diameter):
  - 10 white LEDs (already included)
  - 8 red LEDs
  - 8 green LEDs
  - 8 blue LEDs
  - 9 infrared LEDs
  - 9 ultraviolet LEDs
• With the chosen LEDs, I calculated the resistors needed (see next step) and bought:
  - 4 resistors 1 Ohm, 0.5 Watts
  - 1 resistor 12 Ohm, 0.5 Watts
  - 1 resistor 5.6 Ohm, 0.5 Watts
  - 9 resistors 27 Ohm, 0.5 Watts
• A rotary switch with 12 positions. You may get another one with less positions or use a totally different switch altogether.
• Isolated wire
• A small piece of circuit board for the 9 27 Ohm resistors

For tools I used:
• A 6.5 mm steel drill
• A dremel
• A soldering iron and some solder
• A glue gun

Step 2: Circuit Diagrams

The torch was a real cheap model, probably built in China. The wiring did not include any resistors, which is considered a deadly sin in LED circuit design. They simply slapped 52 LEDs in parallel and connected them to the battery via a switch.

As I intend to use the torch mainly with rechargeable batteries, I calculated the following circuit for 3.6 Volts, which is the typical voltage of three NiMH batteries.

Most LEDs could be set in parallel and driven with a single resistor, as they only use 20 mA current. My green LEDs need 30 mA, so I split them up in two groups with one resistor each. The infrared LEDs need a whopping 100 mA each, so I used a resistor for each of them.

Depending on the types and amounts of LEDs you are using, you may need different resistors. This LED resistor calculator may help you on your way.


Step 3: Inspecting the Torch

The torch could be opened easily by unscrewing the parts. Fortunately there was enough space in the head to store the switch and the resistors.

The circuit was laid out pretty simple and could easily be modified by cutting circuit paths and soldering additional wires.

Step 4: Preparing the Torch

In order to operate the switch, the shaft has to go through the torch head. With a shaft diameter of 6 mm, I used a 6.5 mm drill to create a hole that was placed directly below the screw thread of the head cover.

With the shaft's position thus defined, the circuit would barely fit on top. To fit the switch inside low enough I had to carve away some of the plastic with a dremel.

Step 5: Unsoldering the White LEDs

To make space for the new LEDs, 42 white ones had to go. It turned out easier to tilt them while heating the contacts than to use an unsoldering pump.

Don't forget to leave some white LEDs on the circuit if you need them!

Step 6: Preparing the Circuit Board and Adding the LEDs

When I created the LED layout (see step 1) I chose to group the LEDs of each kind close together to make the wiring more convenient. I left the circuits lines of the common ground connected and cut the plus lines according to the layout scheme in step 2 using a standard cutter. Always check the contacts that you just separated with a voltmeter to make sure that you really disconnected them.

That done, I soldered the LEDs in. Except for the infrared LEDs, which are darker, all my LEDs have a clear housing so they look pretty much the same. Double-check the layout and the LEDs to avoid confusion here. Also remember to solder the LEDs in the correct polarity (flat side of the housing is ground).

As I had to cut a lot of plus lines, I finally had to solder some short pieces of wire to connect the plus lines within each group where needed.

Step 7: Adding the Switch and the Resistors

There was not very much space left in the head of my torch, so I soldered the single resistors directly to the contacts of the switch. Because the infrared LEDs need a separate resistor each, I put them on a small circuit board to keep the chaos limited.

The 12 position switch has a small ring attached with a pin that can be placed into a series of holes, allowing to limit the switching positions. I used this to set the switch to the 6 positions that I needed.

To fix the switch within the torch head I used a glue gun which worked suprisingly well. Just be careful not to glue the shaft.

Finally I soldered the wires to the LED circuit board.

After reassembling the torch it showed that all LEDs were working perfectly!

Step 8: We're Done!

Now there is hardly a situation that cannot be mastered with this torch: Finding lost crap in the cellar, signalling at sea, testing money bills, illuminating scenery for infrared photography - you name it, the torch does it.

Of course your very own torch can differ in colours or design. You could use push-button switches to light multiple LED colours at once. You could even use RGB LEDs to save space. Let your imagination run wild.

Have fun and thank you for reading.