Super Bright LED Light From Dollar Store Items - the MacGyver Way!

This project is incredibly simple because I took every shortcut imaginable—and proudly so! The total cost? Just $6 to bring this idea to life.

I like to call it The MacGyver Way because I didn’t bother with soldering or fancy tools. Instead, I used whatever I had lying around the house to get the job done.

Now, some may raise an eyebrow at the lack of soldering or more “traditional” methods, but the point of this project is to show just how fast and easy it is to create a bright, functional light source with minimal effort and materials.

With that out of the way...

If you've ever wanted to channel your inner MacGyver and create something awesome using everyday items, this project is for you! With just a few LED lights from the dollar store, scrap materials, and a bit of ingenuity, you can make your own super bright light. Perfect for camping, emergencies, or just tinkering, this DIY light is budget-friendly, functional, and a fun way to repurpose materials you might already have lying around.

Here’s what you’ll need to bring this bright idea to life:

1. LED lights (dollar store variety) I used six for this project
2. Scrap wire (any small-gauge wire will do)
3. An old plastic jar (or any small container for the casing)
4. 3 batteries – I used 18650 because I had them available, but AA or AAA will work fine too
5. Electrical tape
6. Wire cutters/strippers
7. I used electrical tape for connections. Soldering is optional
8. Packing tape (as I used) or hot glue gun for securing components

1. Start by disassembling the LED lights if they’re part of a larger unit. Carefully remove the LEDs, keeping the small circuit boards or leads intact.
2. Save parts like the magnets and lenses for future projects.
3. Check the scrap wire you’ll use to connect everything. Strip about half an inch of insulation from each end of the wires.
4. Clean out your plastic jar. This will serve as the casing for your light. A clear or frosted jar works best, as it will diffuse the light evenly. Even better if it’s a waterproof jar.

1. Arrange your 6 LED lights in a circular or clustered pattern, depending on how you want your light to look. A tight cluster will create a more focused beam, while spacing them out will make the light more diffused.
2. I spaced them out by using the formula 360 / 6 = 60. So the LEDS are spaced at 60-degrees from each other.
3. Wire the LEDs in parallel so they all receive the same voltage from your batteries.
4. To do this:
5. Connect all the positive leads of the LEDs together using your scrap wire.
6. Do the same for all the negative leads.
7. Use electrical tape to secure the connections if you don’t have a soldering iron.
8. Double-check the polarity of each LED (positive and negative sides) to ensure proper function.

1. The LED’s from the dollar store were powered by three AAA batteries (4.5 volts). Since I used 18650’s, which output about 3.6 - 4 volts, I connected them in parallel to create the power pack. I connected the positive terminals of all batteries and all the positive negative terminals to each other
2. Use electrical tape to secure the connections and hold the batteries together.
3. Add a wire to the free positive and a second wire to the negative end of the battery pack, leaving enough length to connect them to your LEDs later.

1. Place the connected LEDs into the plastic jar. Use packing tape to secure the LEDs to the inside of the lid or bottom of the jar, depending on where you want the light to shine.
2. Carefully thread the wires from the battery pack into the jar and connect them to the LED cluster. Positive wire to positive leads, negative wire to negative leads.
3. Test the connection before sealing everything. If it lights up, you're good to go! If not, recheck your wiring.

1. Once you’ve confirmed everything is working, seal the jar tightly. Wrap any exposed wires with electrical tape to prevent shorts.
2. For extra durability, use electrical tape around the outside of the jar where the lid meets the base.

1. Your DIY super bright LED light is now ready to use!
2. Unscrew the cap, and turn on each light as needed. Mix and match for brightness and/or effect!
3. The LED’s used here are multifunction:
4. Press once = BRIGHT
5. Press twice = LOW
6. Press thrice = STROBE
7. Press once more = OFF
8. This light is perfect for emergencies, night projects, or just impressing your friends with your MacGyver skills.

Tips and Tricks

1. Customization: Use colored LEDs for extra functionality.
2. Improved design: If you want a sleeker look, consider painting the outside of the jar and leaving only a window for the light to shine through.
3. Safety: Avoid short circuits by double-checking your connections and taping down any exposed wires.

Conclusion

Who knew you could create something so bright and functional from dollar store LEDs and scrap materials? This simple DIY project is proof that creativity and a little resourcefulness go a long way. So, what will you light up next? Let me know if you build your own version or take this idea further. Happy making!