Hand-powered controller

[Hugh Norwood]

I was inspired by a post in the other place by one "Sixtifs", where he had converted a wind-up torch into a controller. Now, I had a very similar model torch in which the small rechargeable battery (3.6V 40mAh nicad stack) had leaked and I couldn't find a replacement. (And seeing as how a new torch costs bout

[Jeff Schumaker]

Hugh,

How about a shot of how the clips are wired inside the torch body? It seems like a handy thing to have.

Jeff S.

[Graeme Dunbar]

That's a clever idea. I've got one I saved from going into the dustbin. It was in the foot-well of the car and got rather wet in the recent floods and my wife was about the throw it out. I dried it out. The battery is dead but the LED still lights.

One could have great fun "racing" trains perhaps - how fast can you wind the handle???  :D

[Hugh Norwood]

Hugh,

How about a shot of how the clips are wired inside the torch body? It seems like a handy thing to have.

Jeff S.

OK - you'll have to wait for that....

[Jeff Schumaker]

Hugh,

How about a shot of how the clips are wired inside the torch body? It seems like a handy thing to have.

Jeff S.

OK - you'll have to wait for that....

Thanks, Hugh. Looking forward to seeing what you did inside the case.

Jeff S.

[Hugh Norwood]

An internal view:

The battery stack was removed from the space just below the motor (in the photo)
You can see the red and green wires from the flying leads come through the case; they are inside a piece of heatshrink sleeving and a tie-wrap is used to prevent the wires being pulled out. They are soldered to the little circuit board essentially directly across the motor. The little diode is still in circuit so the LEDS may be switched on (using the switch) but of course they go out when you stop winding!

[Jeff Schumaker]

Many thanks, Hugh.

Jeff S.