Executive editor Mike Haney demonstrates how to make a handy little light from a battery, a bulb, and a resistor
Posted 01.23.2008 at 4:50 am
9 Comments
Ah, the alluring glow of the LED light. Whether you're looking to create a bit of romantic (albeit extremely geeky) ambiance, or you just want to have some extra emergency lighting around the house, a set of mini LED candles is a great thing to have. They also happen to be quick, easy, and cheap to make yourself. In this video, executive editor Mike Haney demonstrates how to do it.
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Lookin good Mike. For more 5-minute videos keep an eye on DIY channel.
It would be better to use Electrical tape, some duct tape contain metal strips and/or their adhesives conducts electricity and would either cause a short or increase resistance between the pole thus reducing battery life.
Also be careful of hotglue, some hotglue can conduct electricity as well.
Wouldn't the resistor also reduce the life of the battery; creating resistance(small short/heat), it be better to use a series of leds that wouldn't require a resistor that way all the energy would go into making light from the leds instead of spending some energy in the resistor?
from Kenosha, WI
I remember seeing the article by Wallich in the Aug '06 PopSci. I never did the project, but now I am tempted. You should have added the Web site where all of the parts can be found. Three things that would really make this project killer:
- adding a part (photoresistor?) to make the candles turn off in light
- adding a part to make the lights flicker
- adding a photocell to recharge the battery during the day
Keep up the great projects!
Compassman
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i think thats really cool. Do you have to use leds?
Ambience - geeky. I should think not. Hehe! This comment aside, the project and the video was brilliant. Very clever idea Popsci.
www.amazingchandeliers.co.uk
Oh I can see(no pun intended) lighting and techno geeks enjoying this as a romantic gesture, but I am certain most people would find this unacceptable. The candle is the only option for a romantic interlude.
www.amazingchandeliers.co.uk
OK I can see that some would enjoy this project, but for the modern lighting in the home. No thanks! Perhaps these could be used when camping or something similar in an emergency. They dont excite me though.
regards,
John
www.ldj-lights.co.uk/