Make a Mini Christmas Light Bulb Tester

Test your mini-lights to see if they work and need to be changed instead of going out and buying a whole new strand or one of those expensive light testers that don't seem to work like they should.

Steps

  1. Cut an electrical cord about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the plug end. Carefully splice it down the middle so that you have two halves that are still attached to the plug end. Make sure the two halves are long enough to reach the top and bottom center of a "D" or "C" battery.
  2. Expose the copper wiring by carefully cutting away the protective covering about an inch from each halves end and tape or band each half securely to the bottom and top of the battery. Be sure to secure both ends with electrical tape or a strong rubber band so they won't move.
  3. Take the cap off of your Rx bottle and place it on top of the two prongs of the plug and draw two lines on the cap where the prongs will be placed (try to center them). With your utility knife or Xacto blade, cut the lid of your Rx bottle where you made the marks so you will have two slits that the prongs can fit through.
  4. Slide your "D" or "C" battery carefully into the Rx bottle with each half of the spliced cord securely attached.
  5. Line up the cap over the two prongs and slide them through the two slits you have made. Push the rest of the cord and plug into the bottle leaving the two prongs sticking out the top of your Rx bottle.
  6. Carefully squeeze the two prongs close enough together so you can fit a mini light in between them and presto, you have a mini light tester.

Tips

  • A pair of wire splicers would be safer than the knife.
  • This will only test the lights, tell you if they are good or bad, it will not repair them.
  • Finding the right size Rx bottle may be difficult. You want everything to fit snug but not jammed into the bottle. If you have a lot of room, try putting a spring in the bottom first.
  • Keep the finished project away from children. If plugged into 120v, there is significant potential of explosion or ignition of the battery from the excess voltage applied.
  • This will work with out the Rx bottle or it's lid,but the bottle gives you hands free operation.

Warnings

  • Be very careful when making your cuts into the Rx lid and when you are splicing the wiring with your Knife.

Things You'll Need

  • a "D" or "C" battery
  • black electrical tape or a strong rubber band
  • a sharp knife, utility knife, or Xacto blade
  • a pair of scissors or wire cutters
  • an old Rx bottle ( about 1" taller than the battery, and as wide as the battery you will be using)
  • the plug end of an old extension cord.(the two pronged end you would plug into the wall.)

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