Dire retro rechargeable keychain torch. @bigclivedotcom

Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

This light is a direct descendant of one of the earliest styles of USB rechargeable LED keychain lights.

I took one of these apart 10 years ago and was hoping the circuitry would have been upgraded with a proper charge control chip, but instead they've made a vague attempt at a crude charger with a voltage divider and diode, and then botched it. This means that if left charging for a very long time there is a risk of the small lithium cell inside being charged to significantly more than 4.2V.

The lithium cell has no protection PCB. Sometimes I wonder if the small size of the lithium cells in some products is used as justification for disregarding proper charging control in the belief that they're too small to be dangerous.

I don't really recommend buying this, as it is nowhere near as good as the more modern multi-mode keychain lights. But here's a non affiliate link if you have a use for the case:-
aliexpress.com/item/1005009376819736.html

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#ElectronicsCreators

$AliExpress bag of joy. LCD microscope, Quran-plug, tiny LED street lights and more Another Santa-sack of technical goodies from AliExpress for us to explore. Here are some links to the items on AliExpress (not a sponsor). These are affiliate links, but that will not affect the price you pay. Keep in mind that these products may not meet your countrys standards. Some listings may not work for some countries and some may just be sold out or disappear. The silicone E27 pendant lamp holder - note that I got a white one just to use with the existing pink silicone cover:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3gxmSit Fake foliage - the pine tree branches (openscad script at bottom of this text):- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3RrEFBP The green lacquered wire Xmas light string. The 100 and 200 LED sets come with a USB plug and the longer sets come with a plug-in power adapter (with a European plug). It does say 220-240V on the adapter, but I tested it on 110V and they lit. The best thing about these is that they have no flashing modes at all:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2xAdRIH The mini building block electrical panel and ten of the mini bollard lights is a cheap way to get a starter kit:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3mVDv0h The tall street lights can be bought individually with an LED colour choice:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4OcMl2l The short bollards with globe top are on the same listing:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4OcMl2l The hollow stackable round pillars are available in a generous multipack with a wide range of colours in single colour or multicolour options:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3APMGeZ The LCD/camera magnifier is pretty good, but has a fixed focal position and is designed for use against flat surfaces. It does have a micro SD card slot and can either charge, be used as a camera or appear as a drive when plugged into a USB port:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3InSQF7 Note that this appeared in the bundle deal section at a lower cost, so shop around. The spicy ozone generator with an interesting high frequency and high voltage supply:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c35vW6Kt Intriguing Quran night light with chants. Apparently ablution has different meanings in the UK and some religions. Its NOT doing a poo - in this context its the act of washing yourself in a strict sequence before prayer:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2vTwB6V The openscad script for the customisable 3D printed flora-bulb is at the bottom of this description. If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when Im working on shows. https://www.patreon.com/bigclive Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:- https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive #ElectronicsCreators Heres the openscad script for the very odd flora-bulb. If you copy and paste it into the free openscad software it will let you make a custom STL file. //LED bulb foliage adapter //bigclivedotcom rim=44; //LED lamp rim diameter cap=80; //largest cap diameter ring=20; //diameter of stem ring hole=4; //size of stem hole deep=20; //depth of stem hole $fn=100; //facets difference(){ union(){ difference(){ union(){ //Main body cylinder(h=15,d1=cap-10,d2=cap); translate([0,0,15]) cylinder(h=50,d1=cap,d2=rim); //lamp insert translate([0,0,60]) cylinder(h=10,d=rim); } //INTERIOR //rim base translate([0,0,1]) cylinder(h=14,d1=cap-12,d2=cap-2); translate([0,0,15]) cylinder(h=50,d1=cap-2,d2=rim-2); translate([0,0,59]) cylinder(h=15,d=rim-2); } //Circle of foliage supports for (i=[0:60:330])rotate([0, 0, i]){ //Foliage insertion pillar translate([ring,0,0]) cylinder(h=deep,d=hole+2); //Pointed tip translate([ring,0,deep]) cylinder(h=hole+.5,d1=hole+2,d2=0); //Base flange translate([ring,0,0]) cylinder(h=hole,d1=hole+4,d2=hole+2); } } //Circle of foliage support internals for (i=[0:60:330])rotate([0, 0, i]){ //tube core translate([ring,0,-1]) cylinder(h=deep+1,d=hole); //Pointed tip translate([ring,0,deep]) cylinder(h=hole-1,d1=hole,d2=0); //slight taper at tube entrance translate([ring,0,-.1]) cylinder(h=2,d1=hole+2,d2=hole); } //x-ray cube //translate([-50,-50,-1]) //cube([100,50,100]); }$

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