Creating your own flashlight is a basic electronics chore that is often undertaken in beginner circuitry classes. The simple circuit used to illuminate a light bulb, relatively low voltage and current, and overall simplicity of the project make building your own flashlight an ideal project for novice electrical workers.
Instructions
1. Connect two lengths of wire to the flash light bulb. The flashlight bulb recommended for this project comes with two protruding lengths of wire. Secure an additional length of wire to each wire lead using either solder or electrical tape. While professionally produced flash lights use a socket to make bulb replacements easier, the bulb used in this description connects directly to the flashlight wiring for the sake of simplicity.
2. Connect the light bulb to the toggle switch. Select one of the lengths of wire affixed to the light bulb in Step One above and connect the opposite end to one of the posts on the toggle switch. Because a flashlight uses a simple circuit, it does not matter which wire connects the switch to the bulb, and it also does not matter to which terminal on the switch the wire connects. To secure the wire in place on the switch terminal, apply solder or electrical tape.
3. Connect the third length of wire to the other switch terminal. Connect the remaining length of wire to the remaining terminal on the switch. Use solder or electrical tape to secure the wire to the switch.
4. Connect the two loose ends of wire to the battery holder. Like the light bulb, the battery holder offers two protruding wire leads. Strip away a small portion of insulation as needed, and join the two loose wire ends (one coming from the switch and one coming directly from the light bulb) to the leads. Use solder or electrical tape to secure the connection.
5. Install the "C" batteries. Place the "C" size batteries in the battery holder, using care to ensure the negative (flat) end of each battery faces the spring portion of the battery slot. Secure the batteries in place using electrical tape if desired. The electrical circuit is now complete, and the light bulb should illuminate when the toggle switch is moved to the "on" position.
6. Place the electrical circuit in a tube. Although the electrical circuit that powers the homemade flashlight is complete and the light is operational, you may wish to place the wires, batteries and light bulb in a tube-shaped container to make the device more portable. The size of the tube does not matter, though the components should have a snug fit to guard against breakage. One end of the tube may be left open so the battery holder can be easily accessed, and the round plastic lens may be secured (using glue if desired) to the end closest to the light bulb.
Tags: light bulb, electrical tape, battery holder, solder electrical, solder electrical tape