Key light hack

[mark houghton]

Since we're a pretty DIY heavy group...or used to be...here's a hack to convert your lighted key to new-world LED's. 35 year old technology gone bye bye.
Use a CR1632 battery, a 5mm green or blue LED, a spacer beneath the push button to take up some slack since the stock 1.5v battery is twice as tall, expand the battery housing diameter with a Dremel about 0.8mm, do a simple soldering...and done.

https://youtu.be/PoJgiX54E7M

[Bucketlist]

Originally Posted by mark houghton

Since we're a pretty DIY heavy group...or used to be...here's a hack to convert your lighted key to new-world LED's. 35 year old technology gone bye bye.
Use a CR1632 battery, a 5mm green or blue LED, a spacer beneath the push button to take up some slack since the stock 1.5v battery is twice as tall, expand the battery housing diameter with a Dremel about 0.8mm, do a simple soldering...and done.

https://youtu.be/PoJgiX54E7M

Thanks Mark for the post. Being a guy that needs pictures to show me the way I did a search and came up with this old Pelican post. I haven't tried either yet but its on my list.

Lighted Key Head Conversion to LED

[mark houghton]

Originally Posted by Bucketlist

Thanks Mark for the post. Being a guy that needs pictures to show me the way I did a search and came up with this old Pelican post. I haven't tried either yet but its on my list.

Lighted Key Head Conversion to LED

Cool, I never thought to look if someone else has done this. My process was a bit less involved and I used a 3.2v battery instead of the 2.5v he used, mostly because I needed a higher voltage to drive my LED to full brightness. The white LED I had on hand requires 3.2v minimum to barely drive it. Would have to search around to find one with lower forward voltage.
Personally I like the green, a bit easier on the eyes and plenty bright to light up a small room.
I should have taken pictures of the process but oce you get into it, it's pretty self explanatory..

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Bucketlist

came up with this old Pelican post. I haven't tried either yet but its on my list.

Lighted Key Head Conversion to LED

Did this mod around when the article was written. With super clear/bright LEDs available at the time, output was so bright you'd get spots in your eyes if you looked directly at it in daylight.

[Alan L]

U guys are soooooooo soft.
Use a maglite
Alan

[mark houghton]

Originally Posted by Alan L

U guys are soooooooo soft.
Use a maglite
Alan

Well there ya go! Just hang a mag light from your key chain.

I've lived without a lighted key for years and years; now that I have one I'll probably never use it. Just gave me a little project on an otherwise boring day.