Is This the World’s Smallest Rechargeable Flashlight?
This tiny DIY rechargeable flashlight is so small you'll forget it's in your pocket.
Everyone has something that they never leave home without. That may be a wallet, keys, or phone for most people. But others try to plan for every situation they may encounter. People in this latter category might bring along miniature tools, a flashlight, or even first-aid supplies. However, you’ve got to draw the line somewhere; pockets are only so big.
DIYer Gadget Industry just built a tiny tool that could help you to stretch what you can carry a little further without stretching your pants. It is a tiny rechargeable flashlight, which Gadget Industry calls the world’s smallest, although that claim might be hard to prove. In any case, it is incredibly small and it looks great too.
To build the flashlight, Gadget Industry started with a 60mAh LiPo battery. Next, a TP4056 battery charging module was disassembled and the components were formed into a more compact circuit directly on top of the battery. A touch sensor module was similarly disassembled and integrated into the circuit. Finally, an N-channel SMD MOSFET was wired between the touch sensor and a white SMD LED, allowing the sensor to act as the power switch.
As a finishing touch, clay was used to fill the USB-C port before the flashlight was dropped into a bath of epoxy resin. After the resin solidified, it was cut, shaped, and sanded until it was smooth to the touch. The clay was then removed, and the completed flashlight, with its tough new shell, was ready for use.
The end of a small screw (wired to the touch sensor) extends to the top of the resin case to act as the on/off switch. A quick tap will do the job. When the battery gets low, the flashlight can be recharged by plugging it into any USB-C port.
As small as the flashlight is, it looks like the resin is fairly thick in some places. There might be some room to make this little gadget even smaller for those who want to claim the “world’s smallest” title for themselves. If that’s what you’ve got in mind, be sure to check out the video for some pointers.