Lighthouse Pull Chain

A lighthouse pull chain with working light! This lighthouse is a very simple model to feature the led inside the top. The light remains on at all times, but by being very dim, it will last months. It takes AA batteries, even dead ones as it uses the solar light chip YX805.

For this project you will need the printed lighthouse, the PCB, a YX805, an LED, a dip switch, a AA battery holder, a XH connector set and a 4.7mH inductor. Also, a pull chain will be required, but the one with an end bell. Most of these components can be found in a dead solar light from the dollar store and the pull chain as a complete part from Home Depot or equivalent

Electronics

To build the circuit, print the circuit board.

From the solar light, extract the YX805 chip and LED. Read the inductor, and if it is a 4.7mH reuse it. Solder all the parts on the PCB as labelled. 

Take the AA battery holder and crimp the XH male connector onto it. Put in a AA battery and turn on the switch. The LED will light up and stay on. Due to no solar cell, it will never turn off.

Lighthouse Frame

To build the lighthouse, print the main body and the base plug. If the top snaps off, print the upside down one, but leave it off. 

Assembly

Using a pair of pliers or tweezers, firmly and gently slide the pcb up from the bottom into the notches at neck of the lighthouse. Make sure the battery pack is attached to begin with or it will be a pain to plug in. 

Once that is in, put the plug in the bottom to cover the battery.

Thread the pull chain through the hole in the top and hang it up!