Hand Crank Flashlight

Don't run the risk of being stuck in the dark with no light because of a flat battery!

With this modified flashlight you will always be able to have light from its hand crank generator. Two minutes cranking provides over 20 minutes of light.

One of the features of this project is the ability to remove the torch from the holder as this one also had a light at its end. It has this flexibility and can be completely removed if required.

• Cut a length of 3cm diameter PVC plastic pipe to 13cm long
• Cut a bit out from one end for the hand crank generator to fit in (see photo).
• Add a length of aluminium shimmy for a tighter fit of the generator if required.
• From the other end, cut 6 cm down the length of the pipe, so it can fit over the body of a flashlight.

Solder on some wire leads to the hand crank generator using a soldering iron. The use of the clamping clips and magnifer, as shown in the photo made this easier.

This is the Hand crank generator used.

• Soldier on a switch to the positive wire from the generator. Do this before fitting the switch to the handle.
• Make a hole in the pvc plastic pipe and attach the switch, feed the wires though the pipe and out the front end.

• Soldier on some terminal tabs made from some copper sheet, to the end of the wires coming out the front.
• Fit the tabs around a NiCd rechargeable battary in the battery holder as shown in the photo.

Insert the flashlight into the plastic pipe with the generator and you are good to go.

To charge the battery:

Turn the flashlight off, move the generator switch to charge position. Rotate the cranking handle for 2 minutes. This provide 20 minutes of light. When cranking of the handle has stopped, switch the generator switch off.