Converting battery powered lights to plug-in lights

A simple way to convert battery powered string lights into plug-in powered string lights using a transformer that you may have laying around.

[@velador4]

Very helpful and not a lot of needless chatter 😉 great job! Thanks again! I really appreciate “youtubers” who value other people’s time!

[@connordavis767]

This video is awesome and a great way for people who aren’t big into tinkering! I’m personally a big fan of tinkering and a suggestion I would like to make to people who comfortable soldering would be to solder the positive and negative wires directly to the control board, the positive and negative should both be labeled on the board itself. Doing this I was able to screw the cover for the control board back into place with just a small hole cut out in the casing for the cable to pass through so that batteries still can be used if you really wanted and it just feels a little more tidy for me. After doing this I’m also considering making a new little case for it that’s just the size of the control board itself. Sorry I’ve been rambling too long I’m just really into tinkering and talking about it, this was an awesome video thank you so much

[@ednercarle7837]

Can you please show us a video clip on that, for me who is not really good at it, visual will really help a lot. Thanks in advance :)

[@MikeyFFA500]

@@ednercarle7837 I just did this and the switch that goes from Off-On-Dimmer-Timed is no longer working. I have to plug in/out to turn it on /off. Any ideas why?

[@dainaburke2250]

I've been trying to McGuyver my battery operated lights for YEARS without help, but I finally broke down and did a search...brought me right here! Thank you SOOO much for making this so easy!

[@TheOtherSideoftheLookingGlass]

Took apart a small glittery star tree topper I bought from Dollar Tree and put a strand of white LED lights in it for my 3ft Xmas tree. Looks amazing but constantly changing the batteries sucks. This is just what the doctor ordered! Thank you! 😁👍🎄

[@guerilla19]

Dude this amazing! I bought a little led light to decorate this plant pot but the light was battery powered. I watched your tutorial and immediately found a 5V converter cable and hooked my light up Thanks!❤

[@typerexc]

Battery packs are really handy sometimes, but sometimes you want something more permanent. Thanks for the video - real easy to follow, and hope to give this a try soon. cheers

[@Yanninyree]

Thanks a bunch! I have a few lights that I love, but they eat batteries like candy!!😂🤣 This tutorial was perfect!

[@Jamalaaa]

I’m thinking that you are saying that it’s drains the battery too fast OK because who is the batteries like Candies tell me who because why do you say

[@tonyvargas6981]

@@Jamalaaa Are you serious, your kidding right? Right?

[@herondei4834]

This was extremely helpful, thanks so much!

[@notnik1738]

I searched up a bunch of keywords with hopes and my prayers were answered! I will try this soon

[@patriciachisholm4005]

Can you take Christmas lights apart and hook them up to a small battery pack containing very tiny lights? I only want to illuminate 2 very small pictures.

[@pauljasperbalatibat9742]

Same

[@divinevine9413]

I love fairy lights but my father always complain for wasting battery since it needs to be replace few times so he suggested to convert the battery to a plug. Thanks for this I'll try this soon

[@jayrichardson6872]

Nice one bud. Now I can put my caravan mood lights In on a USB port. Cheers 🥂great little video 👍🇬🇧☮️

[@cynthiacarlisle8534]

This was a pleasure to see and hear....so many "how to" videos are done so poorly...I thank you so much !

[@nickbutter9270]

Nice a 2018 upload and still usefull. I have a Battery Powered Head light with the same battery config and wanted to make it direct powered. This help out a lot, thanks for that.

[@trackgurl7243]

Thank you so Much! Youʻre the absolute Best! Now I don’t have to go through batteries like crazy. Got my lights set up in my room and it’s looking great. Thank you again!!

[@kennyg572]

how many volts did u use for the transformer???

[@jjfreer]

you jsut saved me so much money on batteries! been wanting to do this for ages but never looked into it. Got about 50 old transformers in the cable box lol got 0 batteries ahah. time to fix up all those xmas lights finally! 1 down about 10 more to go! Just bought a soldering iron, and a reel of 2 core LED wire. gonna be able to do so much with this!

[@emailyarabrandao]

Awesomeeeeeee! Thanks for sharing! Will do this diy this holiday! By the way, what if I have 4 of these light strings and want to connect them all together and run them off AC? Can you make a video on that too? That would be awesomeeeeeee too!

[@badcarbon7624]

Just found your site. Very helpfully and clearly explained with no Music. Have subscribed. Hope you and yours are doing well.

[@boobearam]

Finally I found the video I need! Thank you!

[@lisasexton7997]

Thanks so much. And I could hear you just fine. Nothing wrong with your voice.

[@jessehernandez773]

Oh how I've been trying to find this video. Thank you!

[@jasoncollier214]

Thank you! No dummy batteries needed.. Seriously man, thank you.

[@georgecain22]

Thank you so much my mother loves her lights but hates the fact she has to replace batteries and you just helped me fix her problem

[@fillalau]

Good job, very easy to follow even without the audio.

[@panicmosem5969]

I like the way you didn't remove the inner construction of the original product. Just worked with it.

[@samhersir]

Great video thank you very much very helpful

[@wildcat64100]

This what I’ve been wondering about. Thank you!

[@user-vu5ds9lm7j]

I just converted my LED tree. I made dummy batteries. So cool. Thank you!

[@spa-asmr]

This was so helpful thank you!

[@brentonjoseph]

Thank you for this video!

[@IUSECAMERAS]

great video!

[@plexim1591]

Just the video I needed!

[@blueponystudio]

Thanks for doing this!

[@LadyClaudetteBelmont]

Thank you !! It worked perfectly !!

[@blakenorthrup]

2 thumbs up on this! Thanks man!

[@meganthomas3212]

Very helpful thanks!!

[@troycornelsen1089]

Thanks. This will come in handy with the lighting im planning.

[@SeawolfGB]

Fantastic! Thanks David

[@bgregg55]

u can buy AC to DC 5v power adapters on ebay for under a buck with free shipping. also, if u want to use it outdoors, just reseal the battery box up good with goop.

[@guerillacity]

Thanks, this helped a lot!

[@ReneaDooserider]

Thank you great video. 💕

[@AngelsINIDemonsCafe]

Thanks for the knowledge share.

[@gedtoon6451]

That 4.2V power supply is a good find to use for this kind of conversion.

[@shinyeevee1314]

This was really cool thank you

[@slydog7131]

Cool. I'm going to do this to a string of fairy lights on a mini Christmas tree.

[@crescentmoon4344]

C❄️❄️l!! I’m going to try this!!!🤞🏻

[@PikaBane]

Thanks Boss worked great for me

[@willriker4371]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@marychrisposadas8020]

I'll try this later 🥰🥰😘 thank you so much

[@jfe1195]

Your volume is too low, I couldn't hear you well, whichnis a bummer because this video is so helpful.

[@destineydevereux4722]

I have similar lights but they spread into a "chandelier ' type thing,, I buy boxes of expensive batteries on Amazon or I did, not any more,, thank you for saving me money 😊❤️

[@forceghostburtreynolds7597]

thank you, dude - short and sweet *oh, and it worked - and I didn't start a fire or blow anything up

[@illfather7066]

Thanks...big help

[@lucasglll]

Thank you so much

[@sohinchhatrala4501]

If you had 4 of these lights, how would you connect it with one plug?

[@Paul-qc7yz]

U cant

[@horvathgabor5485]

You can

[@tluva1020]

In parallel. But you'll need to make the wires the same length & short as possible. 5v 2.1 amp phone charger should work

[@Bada_Bing13]

Could wire in series. Buy a DC-DC Bost converter and run it off 18650 battery/batteries. Stuff all that inside pvc project box and run connection from boost converter to outside of box

[@michaelsander2878]

How many could you theoretically do in series? I don't really understand enough of how this works and would love someone to help me understand it. I've got 4 lights that are battery powered and would love to chain them all together. They all take 3 aaa batteries. So how would that work?

[@rareearthdesignselectrofor6126]

I’m looking for this answer too- also, series or parallel?

[@Tydie.]

I want to do the same! I assume you would just add the Voltage of the batteries if they are in series... and if in parellel add a transformer for each string?

[@cameranmanner4701]

You have to figure out the amount of current each set or string of lights uses. So if one set uses 50mA and you want to use 3 sets. you would require a power supply of 150mA. This should keep the voltage from dropping too low over each light. As for the voltage the lights in this demonstration requires 3 batteries at 1.5V each connected in series, A 4.5V transformer is not common, A standard 5V usb plug should work. There should be enough tolerance within the circuit to handle the extra half a volt. I would not mix and match string lights that use 2 battery with 3 battery strings.

[@peggiesueboody4528]

I'm ashamed to say this but I do not know how th solder. Is there a way to get this done without the soldering? If no, can you show us how to solder? Thanks for figuring a way to do away with the AAA batteries!!! Instructions are Awesome!

[@yosofya]

Do you happen to have a video showing the other way around 😅 i want to convert my plug in lights to battery powered lights

[@JohnDoe-cd6ro]

I know that's not what this videos about but can I power a strip exactly like this with 2 D batteries instead? I'm asking because I have a project where space is extremely limited and I can comfortably fit 2 D batteries in series. Think like a Maglite or something. That's the amount of space I have and these little compartments are just too wide and bulky for what I need. Thanks a lot. I hope you answer .

[@JasonBurnettsProfile]

Any chance you could explain how to make the lights work off of battery if they are installed and working, but also allow it to connect to power if the batteries are dead?

[@christianramirez1159]

Thank you

[@brendalee7136]

Can you do the same thing with a battery pack with a timer?

[@yinyang2385]

This is easy when you're just dealing with positive and minus, but how do I convert rechargeable batteries that are using "B+ , D- and BAT in a device?

[@E71]

Nice, but I still don't understand why it's okay to use a DC adapter with lower output voltage than required, yet people say it's not okay to use one with higher voltage than required.

[@uittyman]

Im thinking most of these touchless sensor taps neeed this upgrade

[@SabMCMLXIX]

how to add an usb plug instead?

[@lauralux-wells7646]

So I've got two strands that take take 2 AA batteries each. Obviously I can connect each one to a 3V transformer but what if I want to connect the stands together? Would i still use a 3V or would I need a 6V?

[@franciscofrancosanchez7133]

I'm having the hardest time to wield the nikel to stick to the metal plate, even if I scratched it good before. any tips ?

[@MisterWealth]

Is there any potential for fire doing it this way?

[@katrinaz6762]

So how important it the motherboard? I removed it and hardwired the wires straight together. The lights flash when I plus them into an outlet.

[@chrissyr8007]

I have been needing an answer for this same question . i pulled them off the motherboard now I cannot tell which is positive/negative

[@rosemarieamonette6527]

so my light is on using 2 batteries so 3v so can I hook it up to the 4.5 v plug or is that way to much juice ?

[@Jane-id9eo]

What do you call that white thing, the thing that used to insert the battery? Someone tell me please...

[@stephvalo8523]

What if the metal parts are so rusted they are taking apart?

[@francebat9012]

Excellent! Thank you sweetheart, I really needed to learn how to do this, is it possible that sometimes for whatever reason, it don't work? cause it happen to me before (btw, please forgive my bad English, I am French, thank you) can you tell me what I did wrong? thanx again, take care & God bless xoxoxox

[@ABC4353]

you know how to convert battery operated to plug in led color changing candles

[@marieamason3941]

Hello, I am in need of advice. I purchased a natural gas tankless water heater which uses 2 each D batteries to ignite and control the digital display. I wish to convert the battery to an adapter. Is it possible that you would kindly recommend which type of adapter to use? Specs say 8MAh. Thus far, I've found no one willing to assist me. I've watched your videos on the process but I don't know which one to purchase, 3 volt? 0.5, a, b,c ? I'm confused? Please help. Thank you, Marie

[@sohinchhatrala4501]

I have 4 of these lights and I would like to connect all of them together so that would add up to 18V power required. Can i connect a plug that is 18v DC out?

[@christophermachir1009]

No. That is not how that works. 4.5VDC devices will always require 4.5VDC(or something very close). 18VDC will be way too much. When you add multiple loads to a single power source the voltage needs to stay the same, what will increase is the current (amps). So you’ll need to make sure that the power supply and all the conductors are able to handle the increased current. More than likely, if we’re just talking about low power LEDs, this shouldn’t be a problem and you can probably get away with doing it just as this video showed and then wire the other lights to the first one. It might be a good idea, though probably not necessary, to add an in-line fuse between the power supply and the first light, as a safety measure to prevent potential overcurrent from damaging your power supply or wires. For the plug shown in this video, you’ll need to be sure not to exceed 1.5A. Remember that your breaker (in a USA household) will not trip until it exceeds 15 or 20 amps, which could burn out that little plug and its wires. Four little LED lights honestly will not likely draw more than the 1.5A limit, but you should be aware of it and double check. Hopefully the power supply plug has some kind of built in protection but I would not count on it.

[@ProDaStig]

can't I just connect the AC wires to the lights and delete the battery pack in the middle? what role does the empty battery pack play if my AC output is the correct voltage through the converter?

[@MrDingle1987]

I have 3 battery packs how would i run them altogether with one piwer source?

[@cindistrange8312]

Will a 5 volt plug in work?

[@adam_bks5394]

I did the same thing but the resistor is getting hot! It is normal?

[@sarahgill4345]

COOOOOOOLLLLLL!!!!

[@GregJoshuaW]

Gotta love transformers...

[@umtareqsooma7649]

Can I use a usb cord instead ?

[@saraaaahx0o]

Can you post a video of this but backwards? How do I make plug in lights battery operated?

[@weiserwolfsgeist]

Could I do this with a USB-C cable that is usually used as a phone charge to do this and then cut off the side of the cable that supposed to go into the phone and expose the wires? Then use the USB part and plug it into a USB plug that goes into the outlet.

[@imperiususmc4573]

Did you find an answer?

[@Princesskeywest]

Ok so i did this and it worked so I decided to go a step further and took out the battery pack completely so it’s just a plug in but unfortunately now it’s blinking, seems like rhythmically. Anybody know what I should do to correct this???

[@fotodisena3292]

Mine doesn't work :( How did you fixed the tip of the cable to the battery contact? Maybe I missed something because I don't speak english very well

[@davidfischer8784]

Foto Diseña i was able to twist it on. Just find how the battery contact cables connects to the main board

[@Joseph-mu1zb]

Is 5 volt 1-2Amp usb power source too much?

[@chivone21]

Can you use a 5 volt transformer?

[@carlkma2037]

I have a set of these lights, it says on the package that hooking them up to a different power source will void the warranty. Hooking up a three battery power supply to mains power is generally not considered a good idea. Bad things can happen, fire being one of them, electric shock could be another. Aside from the previous serious problems, another problem is that you can easily overdrive the LED's. Three batteries lose voltage over time and supply a much more limited current. The power supply continues to provide maximum voltage and current. My rechargeable batteries usually sit at 1.2 volts, unless I just charged them. None rechargeable batteries might start out at something like 1.5 or thereabouts, but they drop quickly. The best way would be to get the specifications on the individual LED's and then design the power supply. It would be nice if there was a follow up to the video on how long the lights lasted. USB lights would probably be a better alternative, the lights are designed for the power from a USB and the little power cubes are cheap.

[@jim2245]

all valid points you have, which is why he went with a specific AC adapter (4.5v) that wouldn't overload the current capacity. Any higher and then yes, you could have electrical, heat or fire issues.

[@anandradia2811]

Hi. Would a 5v power USB cable work with LED strips that require 4.5v? Is there a risk of overpowering it? I'm a noob so excuse my stupidness. Thanks.

[@trygveevensen8664]

I believe it's fine, alkaline AA or AAA will have about 1,65v when brand new. So that works out to 4,95v with new batteries, voltage will drop over time and that's why they say 1,5v. So if it can handle new batteries, it'll probably handle 5v USB :)

[@Bricamy]

@@trygveevensen8664 I have tried 5v power adapter 1.5a, at first the lights worked fine but after some time the lights stopped working.

[@M.W.H.]

I can also confirm, 5v will work for few days then the lights are dead.

[@francispogi12]

@@Bricamy do you find a solution? I think the circuits burn-up beacause of over voltage.

[@francispogi12]

@@M.W.H. do you find a solution? I think the circuits burn-up beacause of over voltage.

[@sabitrisahu882]

How to make this string lights switch

[@amadetto2271]

This battery pack is the most disappointing thing since MY SON

[@katfish430]

I found a plug with a 4.5-9.5v output. Most other ones I have around the house are 5v. How important is it that I have a 4.5v plug?

[@ocdtechtalk]

Very important so that you do not generate excess heat. The device may work but without a proper match your devices or the transformer could overheat.

[@amysand894]

So how can I do this but backwards

[@ZombieWolfe]

Lol thanks Bruh I did it in 10 mins

[@5part4]

I would mess this up even tho you made it look so easy! I need to do it with a statue I'm going to buy that takes batteries and lights up but I want to convert it to a plug type electric device so I don't keep using batteries

[@pdarshan87]

Hi. I wanted to do a similar project for fun. Question is that I have multiple units of battery operated string lights. I want to connect all first and then convert to plug-in lights. How do I figure the size of the transformer?

[@sordidloam]

My question as well. It appears he's adding up the output of the batteries to match them to the transformer. I haven't looked into this personally, but it would be nice for him to add that to the comments, otherwise face certain death due to an electrical fire. :-)

[@Tydie.]

I wanted to know as well

[@JackKelley1]

How much attention needs to be paid to the amperage of the transformer you pick? Like, with the light set used in the video, how do you know what transformer amperages would be too high or low? Thanks!

[@ocdtechtalk]

Google how many amps the batteries that the devices uses are rated. I.e. C batteries are typically 500mA. Then add up the amount of batteries (4) and the amps (500mA). 4 x 500mA = 2A. Therefore a device that uses 4 C batteries needs a 5VDC 2A transformer.

[@DigitalENCOM]

Instructions were not clear, my dog was electrocuted and my mum shits her pants when I fire up the microwave?