Anyone remember this CPF copper lamp?

These steampunk novelties were made by a CPF member a few years ago. Simple 2xAA and a 10mm led. There’s a light sensor so it automatically brightens as the room gets darker.

No driver inside just 2 wires from the battery box to the LED via the sensor.

I’d like to remove the unsightly plastic battery box and try and get a 14500 or similar hidden in a bit of copper pipe soldered in its place with a cap to change the battery. Not sure, but this might involve changing the LED too. An easier option might be to use a proprietary battery holder but for a single cell and nicer looking. Any ideas?


There are no solder joints, the tubes pull apart but the LED is glued.

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Ah I recognise this but can’t recall the user that made them!

If it’s just a resistor, you’ll need 3v power supply of sorts.

If it’s 15mm copper pipe, the internal diameter is 13.6mm, so too narrow for AA sized cells. Given the push-fit nature of the construction, you could add a “leg” of 20mm using a 20-15mm reducer. 2xAA cells in series would then fit in the leg, perhaps just secured with electrical tape.

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It is 15mm, AA don’t fit up the pipe. Hard to photograph but the wires just feed up in a simple circuit.

And obviously, to change batteries means they’ve got to drop out vertically. Might be a case of trying to find a nicer looking battery holder. I wouldn’t extend the legs, I’m sure I remember glueing the emitter back together after it fell off its perch, it’s unstable already.

Might even be a case of Brasso and leave well alone :joy: