SAVE $100s on batteries with this simple decorating hack
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- Опубліковано 9 гру 2022
- If you like to decorate with fairy lights, flameless candles, or any other battery device, you can hack those devices to be powered from a simple USB charger and save hundreds of dollars on batteries. USB chargers output 5 volts, which is roughly the same as 3 AA or AAA batteries. Most decorations with 3 batteries will probably work with 5 volts. Don't waste money on batteries in decorations.
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I found some nice LED lights that ran on 3 AAA batteries. I mounted the lights in the trunk of my car and I used a 12 volt to 5 volt USB adapter I got from Dollar Tree (same place as the LED). Now when I open the trunk install of a dim light coming on I have nice bright LED lights coming on.
Good idea!! 👍🏻
Just checking for a few seconds for the voltage might not be conclusive. Most LEDs will work with overvoltage, but it greatly reduces the lifetime. Adding a series diode will reduce the voltage by 0.6-0.7V and will have almost ideal voltage.
Good point 👍🏻
That works! Love it!
Thanks 😊
Brilliant idea! 👍
Thanks 😊
Very smart, going to do this with our lights too!
Glad it was helpful 👍🏻
Pretty cool!
Thanks 😊
Brilliant!
Thanks 😊
Nice hack, the rechargeables you start with are ~1.2v each BTW. There's a small chance the 5v may over-drive the LEDs - but since it looks like you are powering 4 strings off of one usb cube, this should lower the overall voltage. Make sure the USB cube doesn't get too hot to the touch!
AA are typically 1.5V, and 3 in series are about 4.5V. They’re likely under powering by design 5V analog LEDs. Supplying 5V to them will just achieve their full potential with no issue. I would however fuse the connection.
The little cube didn’t get hot to touch, but it would shut off after ~4 hours every day. So I upgraded it to a 4-amp power supply. All good now.
@@handydadtv That’s interesting… you should try powering just one, and measure max amps, then account for proper gauging and supply to handle all combined.
That would make sense. But I’m more trial and error.
Great idea.
Thanks 😊
Thank you !!!!! Can you please post a vid to show the electrical conversion steps SLOWLY ? I do not have a sodering iron. So how do i do it without ?
(Another little hack if you wish to yourself - plug in an automatic timer to the outlet. Program the hours of operation.)
I used a smart plug instead of a timer.
Even greater than I expect. You know how to ditch batteries with DC current main electricity.
Glad it was helpful 👍🏻
Very clever, My Friend :-)
Thanks 😊
Hi i have fairy light with smallest pill battery version(i didnt know the name of this battery) it usually came with brown case. Can i use this hack to covert to usb plug?
It’s all about voltage. One button cell, probably not. If it has two or three, it could work. I couldn’t say.
Does the amp output of the charger have any effect? I'd be concerned those tiny little wires would overheat with any extra voltage / amps going to them.
The fractional voltage difference will have no effect on the wires - and a higher voltage lowers the watts/amps (in general) :)
For a single string, you’ll be fine. In my case, I was powering 4 strings from a small Apple charger and it worked fine for around 4 hours. Then it would shut off. Probably an internal thermostat. Next day it would be fine for another 4 hours.
So I swapped it out for a 4 amp power supply. Now it stays on forever.
If you don’t care about switching on and off and you’re okay with always on, can you just cut the cord on the lights and solder those wires directly to the power supply wires?
No, there is other circuitry on the board. Not just a switch.
What other circuitry is on the board, do you reckon? The lights I got from IKEA only have 2 modes- off and 6h on. I want to ditch the circuit board so I can have them on for longer than 6 hours, and to control them with a smart outlet. Can't for the life of me find a straight answer!
I’m not an electrical engineer so I don’t understand electronic circuits. I just replaced the batteries with a power supply and kept the old circuit board.
WoW! That's so smart!
Can you create converters to sell commercially? (Shark Tank?). I'll buy!
Your "converter" sales would go gang-busters!
Thanks but feel free to steal the idea. 😂
But how would you do this x 6? Say you had 6 strings of light s, each with their own battery pack. Wouldn't their combined voltage 4.5v x 6 = 27v? Thats what im dealing with right now. The biggest power adapter I have is 12v. I thought to use say a laptop power adapter but I fear that would far exceed the output I need. So should I be looking for a 30v-35v power adapter??
Wire them in parallel (all positives together; all negatives together). Voltage is the same for all of them. Just need a strong enough power supply for the combined amperage.
@@handydadtv I was hoping you'd say that. So you think a phone adapter should cut the mustard then? I have them ranging from 5v to 12v, not to brag about all my cord collection 💁also have assorted resistors on hand.
If they each have 3 batteries in series, that means they run on 4.5 volts. You should be able to power them from a plug-in USB charger because it outputs 5 volts. No need for 12v or any resistors.
@@handydadtv Thanks for going through it with me pal, appreciate ya!
You should add a diod or resister so as not to overdrive the leds, otherwise you will shorten the life considerably
I don't understand why these cheap chinese fairy lights don't come with a usb power source option aside from 3AAA batteries.
That’s a good idea 👍🏻
Just cut down the wire from my string lights now confuse how to attach a usb cable to it
You can’t just wire the string to power. It needs the electronics in the control box.