This insturctable will show you how to make an empty pill bottle into a beacon using a few readily available electronic pieces, very little soldering expierence, and, of course, an empty pill bottle.

Why would anyone want to use this?

I thought about this one evening. I am a night owl in my home and am always the last to goto sleep. I try not to disturb the rest of my family the best I can. Sometimes though I need to remind myself to do something before I goto sleep like, put my clothes from the washing machine into the dryer. With this little device that takes took about 15 minutes to make, and is reusable, I can remind myself of something I need to do without waking my family with timers or alarms.

This is a great way to recycle little clear or colored bottles and jars. It is pretty bright in the dark so you will see it when the light is turned out. There are many different little led bottle and jar lights on instructables. Check them out!

BottleBlink.AVI
Download

Step 1: Parts and Tools

Here is a listing of parts and tools needed.

PARTS:
*An empty pill bottle or another small bottle with plastic lid.
(Metal lids are possible just be sure to have a drill and
bits to make the hole for the switch.)
*One 3v Button Cell Battery.
*One 3v Button Cell Battery Holder.
*One Red Blinking LED (MAX Voltage = 5v)
*One ON/OFF Micro Toggle Switch
*One or Two Small Washers
*One Piece of Tracing Paper or Other Translucent Paper

- Total for parts was roughly $10.00US -

TOOLS:
*Soldering Tool
*Solder
*Small Pliers
*Small Screw about the diameter of the switch neck.
*Screwdriver for above stated screw.
*Suitable Work Surface
*Helping Hands with Soldering Tool Holder.(Not necessary, but
helpful!)

Step 2: Remove Label From Bottle

This is the longest part of completing this instructable. Basically just sit down somewhere comfortable for a few minutes and start pealing away the label of your bottle. Hopefully it will come off very easy unlike the label on the bottle I used here. It can make a mess with little pieces.

After you peal as much of the label off af you can wash your bottle off with hot, soapy water. This will help with the glue residue.

If you have a product called GOOF OFF or other sticker removal licquid I recommend you use it for tough labels. Be sure to rinse your bottle off after you use these products.

Step 3: Installing the Switch

This step is fairly easy. Remove the lid from your bottle. Look at the top and underneath to see if there is a mark right in the center from the molding process. Under the lid of this lid had a small "42". Mark that spot with a marker or pen. If you don't see and marks you can either just eyeball it and mark the center or do a little math and measuring.

Next take the small screw and screwdriver and line them up on the mark you made. (Be sure to have something under the lid to keep from scratching your work surface.) Press down while screwing into that mark until you are completely through. Check your size every few turns at the beginning to keep from making the hole too big.

Remove the small nut and washer(s) from the switch. Install the switch from underneath the lid. Place the small lock wash that came on the switch. Place another larger washer over the other. Install the nut to complete the switch installation. Tighten with small pliers.

Step 4: LED and Battery Installation

Here is where that Helping Hands come in handy. Under the lid solder the positive contact of the battery holder to the outside post of the switch. Battery holder should face outward for easy reinstallation of batteries.

(BE SURE YOU HAVE A BLINKING LED)

Next measure the LED next to the other post from the switch and the negative post on the holder. You will need to clip part of the NEGATIVE lead on the LED and solder it to the negative post on the battery holder. Solder the other longer lead to the other post of the switch.

Install Batteries.

Please take a look at the pictures to get an idea or message me with and questions.

Step 5: Put It All Together

Next insert a piece of tracing paper cut down so it will fit inside the bottle. If you roll the paper up then insert it, it will unwind easily inside the bottle.

Carefully twist on the lid. Be sure that the LED and Battery holder do not catch on the paper when you insert them.

Add ON / OFF with a fine pen or marker.

Step 6: Test It Out

Give your new bottle beacon a try. This gadget doesn't apply to many people but, if you need something that will get your attention and not make noise. This instructable was made you!