DIY Portable Light

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When camping or hiking, a lightweight emergency light is something that should be in every outdoorsman's pack for those times when flashlights break, batteries run out or you are out longer than expected. A simple portable emergency light can be made into a beacon or lantern with other materials you have in your pack.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

3 to 4 LED lights
Button light
Electrical tape
Water bottle

Step 1

Bend out the wires of the LED lights. The LED lights come with two wires running down from the bulb. One is slightly longer than the other. Bend them out and away from each other so you can connect the lights in a chain. It also keeps the wires from crossing.

Step 2

Twist the wire of one light to the next. Connect the short wire of one light to the long wire of the next. Continue until you form a chain with the ends still loose. These will be connected to the battery.

Step 3

Tape the connections between lights with electrical tape to keep them intact. Keep the lights, along with the battery and a small amount of rolled-up tape, in a ziplock bag until you need them on your camping trip. Rolling the tape will keep the glue fresh and sticky when it is needed. It doesn't have to be a full roll of tape. Just roll up enough to wrap around the battery when needed.

Step 4

Attach the two ends of the light chain to the battery and tape them in place. You might need to bend the wires slightly to have them lie flat on the battery. Put a wire on each side of the button battery. Test the wires for proper placement. They will only work one way.

Step 5

Slip the lit lights into a plastic foggy translucent water bottle. The bottles normally have a loop on the end that holds the cap in place. It will give you a handle. The light in the bottle will give off a glow that you can use to signal for help. A clear bottle can be used as a lantern, but it can create a more focused light in the area of the bulbs, which means it won't glow.

Article Written By Tara Dooley

Tara Dooley has written for various websites since 2008. She has worked as an accountant, after-school director and retail manager in various locations. Dooley holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and finance.

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