How to Turn a Coldheat Into a Useful Tool

by Doctor What in Circuits > Soldering

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How to Turn a Coldheat Into a Useful Tool

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OH NO!!! You bought a Coldheat!!! Whatever shall you do with it? I know, you could turn it into something useful, like a flashlight! Here is a step by step way to turn your hunk of junk into a bright, working flashlight, which is perfect for your nightstand, and those mid-night trips to the lou.

Sorry for the grainy images, folks. My digital camera wasn't available, and all I had to take pictures was my video camera.

And, if you like my instructable, don't forget to rate it, and check out my other stuff.

What You Need

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This project requires these materials:
- One Coldheat
- One Small Screwdriver (The small flathead on the Leatherman works well, but you would be better off with a more precise tool)
- One Soldering Iron
- One Mini Light Bulb with Socket (I used a 2.5 volt)
- Some Solder
- Wire Stripper (optional)

Open Your Coldheat

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In order to get inside of the coldheat, you probably want to open it up. Remove the battery casing, then remove the screw that is inside the battery holster, and remove the top (blue thing on top). Then remove the five screws that hold the two parts of case together. You will want to save the screws for when you put it back together.

Get Rid of the White Socket

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You will need to start out by removing the black cylinder, setting it aside for later.

Remove the screws from the copper colored prongs, and pull off the white tip socket from the prongs, you need to keep only one prong, the one with two soldered wires attached to it. The other can be thrown away. You can throw the white socket away, you won't be needing it.

Prepare Light Bulb

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Hot glue the light socket into the black cylinder, as shown in the picture.

To all the techies: Yes, I know that the power in the circuit is probably too much for the light bulb and the socket. But I am not worried about it. So far, the light bulb hasn't burnt out yet, but if you know what kind of components I should add, please feel free to Personal Message me, and I will edit this Instructable accordingly.

Install Light Bulb

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Next you need to put in the light bulb. But before you do that, you need to trim down the remaining copper prong, so that the black cylinder can fit into place. Make sure that you leave the screwhole on the prong, so that you can screw it back into place.

Place the black cylinder back into place, and solder the wires for the light bulb as shown in the picture.

Put It Back Together

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Now you need to put your coldheat back together.

Replace the screws that held the prongs, that way they won't touch. Then, put the case back together, add batteries, and turn it on. Put the white semi-transparent tip cover on, so that the light doesn't hurt your eyes.