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How to Convert Mini-Lights to Batteries

LEDs, unlike incandescent lights, do not rely on electricity to heat a filament to produce light. The needed electricity to power an LED mini-light can be acquired from a battery instead of from an electric outlet because of the lower wattage requirements. To convert the LED mini-light to use battery power, supplies from a hobby shop or electrical supply store will be needed. Tools commonly found around the home will also be needed.

Things You'll Need

Newspaper
Phillips jeweler̵7;s screwdriver
Battery
Electric wire spool, 12-gauage
Scissors
Wire cutters
Tape measure
Wire stripper
Soldering iron
Solder

Instructions

- 1
  Place a sheet of newspaper on a table. Place the LED mini-light face down on the newspaper. Remove the screws from the back cover with a Phillips jeweler̵7;s screwdriver. Pull the back cover off. Loosen the screws on the positive (+̶1;) and negative (̶0;-̶1;) labeled contacts inside the mini-light with the screwdriver. Pull the two wires from the power cord off the contacts. Place the power cord aside.
- 2
  Stand the battery on the newspaper next to the mini-light. Partially unscrew the two contact tabs at the top of the battery with your fingers.
- 3
  Cut two 2-foot lengths of electrical wire from the electric wire spool with a scissors or wire cutter. Strip a 1/2 inch of insulation off the ends of both wires with a wire stripper.
- 4
  Heat up a soldering iron for five minutes. Twirl the exposed ends of the two wires between your fingers to form rods. Apply a drop of solder to an end of each of the two wires. Let the solder cool for a minute.
- 5
  Place the end of one of the two wires that has solder on it against the positive (̶0;+̶1;) labeled contact inside the battery compartment. Hold the tip of the soldering iron against the end of the wire where it meets the contact for four seconds. Let the solder cool for a minute.
- 6
  Wind the other end of the wire around the positive (̶0;+̶1;) labeled contact on the battery. Screw the tab down. Repeat the procedure just completed with the soldered end of the other wire and the negative-labeled (̶0;-̶1;) contact inside the mini-light. Let the solder cool for a minute.
- 7
  Place the back cover on the mini-light and arrange the two wires so they exit through the notch where the power cord was earlier. Reattach the screws to the back cover.
- 8
  Remove the adhesive backing from both sides of the adhesive pad. Place one side of the pad against the back of the mini-light. Press the back of the mini-light against a wall so that it adheres to it. Place the battery on the floor beneath the mini-light.
- 9
  Wind the end of the wire around the negative-labeled (̶0;-̶1;) contact on top of the battery. Screw the tab down to enjoy the illumination now being provided by the LED mini-light. Remove one of the wires from one of the battery contacts to turn off the illumination.

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