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?
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.
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
Use 2 AAA instead? Substantially shorter, might give the clearance you need. Or get yourself some of them Half AA size nimh.
**i have another idea…add a couple extra t fittings to rest against the wall, or a 3rd stand leg as if it’s part of the house, but the batteries can go in there lol. It could also serve as a handle.
Ooh another idea, fuel gauges! A simple passive multimeter on a pedestal base, with a series of “pressure” gauges that actually read out voltage and current…that way the base can also house the battery.
