Old batteries pose a significant threat to our surroundings when disposed incorrectly – but you don’t have to dispose or recycle old or dead batteries!
If you’ve been keeping old batteries and you don’t want to trash them, you will be happy to know you can turn them into the next exciting and useful DIY project. Here are five cool DIY projects using old or dead batteries. These projects are fun, easy to execute, affordable, and most importantly, they let you turn your old and dead batteries into something useful.
Safety Tips for Using Dead or Old Batteries
Some of the cool DIY projects using old or dead batteries below will have you not just handling but also opening up batteries. Ensure you do the following while going about it:
- Wear gloves and a mask: Chemicals found in batteries are toxic, and when you’re working with old and dead batteries, there’s always a chance these chemicals might spill out if you cut wrongly. Wear safety gloves to prevent chemical burns and a mask, so you don’t inhale these toxic substances in case of a spill.
- Dispose of decayed or leaking batteries: If the battery you were planning to use is leaking or decaying, dispose of immediately since it’s a safety hazard. Ensure you clean up any spot it might have spilled on right away.
In addition to reusing your old or dead batteries, you can make Earth a better living place by trying out DIY electronic recycling projects.
1. DIY Solar Powered Generator
With global warming threatening the extinction of entire species, the least you could do for Mother Nature is switch to sustainable energy. An easy and affordable way to do this is by making your solar power generator using:
- A solar panel: mono-crystalline 400Wp, 17.2v
- Charge controller
- Deep cycle 12V/7.2ah batteries
- Inverter
- Wires and wire connectors
Start by connecting the inverter to the battery. To do this, take a negative wire, connect it to the negative terminal and then do the same with the positive. Connect the charging controller to the battery and then to the solar panel.
Leave the solar panel outside and position it, so it’s exposed to maximum sunlight for charging. Once it’s above 50%, feel free to connect your smartphone and enjoy free sustainable solar energy. You can include a case to make it portable. When fully charged, this DIY solar generator can keep your Xbox one running for over three hours and your energy-saving light bulb on for up to 25 hours.
2. A Portable Rechargeable Lighting System
A DIY portable lighting system won’t just put your old batteries to good use – it’ll also come in handy during power blackouts and overnight outdoor activities like camping. You’ll need:
- A 4-volt old battery
- LED plate
- On/off switch
- Diode IN4007
- 1000 Ohms Resistor
- Red LED light
- Charging socket
- Superglue
- Soldering tool
Using superglue, stick the on/off switch and the charging socket on top of the battery. Superglue the LED plate on one of the battery’s sides, and solder its negative wire to the on/off switch. Next, solder the LEDs positive wire and the diode’s positive point to the battery’s positive terminal.
Solder the diode’s positive point and one end of the resistor to the positive end of your charging socket. Bring in the red LED light, and solder its negative end to the battery’s charging socket, and the on/off switch negative points.
Connect and solder the red LED light’s positive point to the remaining end of the resistor. You’ll have created a powerful portable lighting system you can use during power emergencies or even enhance photography.
3. A Portable Mini Fan
A portable mini fan doesn’t just look cool, it also keeps you cool, and it’s a surprisingly easy DIY project using old or dead batteries. Here’s a list of what you’ll require:
- 9V old or recently dead 9V battery
- Battery clips
- DC Motor
- Red and black wire
- Cutting pliers
- Soldering iron
Pry open your battery and use a pair of pliers to disconnect batteries from the battery clip. To create a battery clip for the fan, solder a red and black wire to the battery clip you got after the first step. Solder the two wires to the motor’s negative and positive terminals. Glue the motor to the bottom side of the battery, and finally, install the mini hand fan blade.
4. Cool DIY Flashlight with 9V Batteries
Looking for a cool and fun way to spend an afternoon with your tech-curious nephew or niece? If yes, you’ll love this cool DIY project using old or dead batteries. It’s so simple; you won’t even need a soldering iron. Check out what you’ll need:
- 9V battery
- Mini LED light (you can use any color)
- Resistor
- On/off switch
- Pliers
Cut the LED’s transistors using pliers, and then glue it on the top left of the battery such that the battery’s negative terminal is on the right and the positive side on the left. Hot glue the switch on the top right side of the battery, so it has the same arrangement as the LED. Next, glue your resistor in the middle so it touches one side of the switch and the battery’s negative terminal. Press the on/off switch to light it on, and watch your niece or nephew jump in glee at your little invention.
5. A DIY Magnet Holder
Like the DIY flashlight project above, this too is a cool DIY project using old or dead batteries to do with your little one.
Because aging and dead batteries already feature magnetic ends, get all your magnets and stick them to these ends. You can add as many magnets as you want to create a décor item or a unique-looking toy for your little ones. Alternatively, you could use it as a magnet holder to keep all your magnets organized.
Have Fun Reusing Old or Dead Batteries
DIY projects are a fun way to put your creativity to work and turn things that would have ended up in the trash into something useful and practical.
Our cool DIY projects using old or dead batteries above are perfect proof it is possible. So keep the two safety tips we highlighted in mind, and have fun reusing your old and dead batteries.