Matchstick- mini infinite flashlight

cults3d

I Made a Mini Hand Cranked Flashlight That's Perfect for Emergencies! This little beauty is not just a nice gift, but also a super handy tool in case of emergencies. With just a few turns of the generator knob, you'll get around two minutes of light. The flashlight contains a mini generator, joule thief, 5mm white LED, full bridge rectifier, and super capacitor. You'll also need some super glue or epoxy to hold it all together. The good news is that the total cost shouldn't exceed $5-$10, and you can even salvage some parts from old electronics. The schematic for this project is posted among the pictures, so be sure to check it out! This project does require some basic soldering skills. I designed the entire circuit in my head, but if this thing takes off, I might just create a PCB and sell it. I've included a few photos that show you exactly how I assembled it. There are two versions of the knobs - one uses a metal insert from a modified cable connector, while the other goes directly onto the motor. To get the best fit, heat up the shaft of the generator with a lighter and then slip on the knob. Here's what you'll need: * 220Uh inductor (I used two 100uh inductors in series since I didn't have one handy) * 5252F garden light chip (this is the heart of the joule thief) * 1F 2.7v super capacitor (you can use a higher capacity, but this one fits perfectly and only requires a few turns of the generator) * SMD full bridge rectifier (you can make your own with four diodes, or salvage one from an old phone charger - it's not a critical component) * 30RPM geared micro motor 6v (find it on eBay) * 5mm white LED Note that you can use a motor with a higher RPM reduction (~60 rpm) for less power per turn, but it will last longer mechanically and be more reliable. For the first time after soldering everything together, I needed to kickstart the capacitor with an external power source (I used a battery). But after that, it worked perfectly on its own generator power, and you can glue it shut. I'm not sure why this happened, but maybe someone who knows more about capacitors can enlighten me in the comments below!