Batteries Search Results

How To: Hack a dead laptop battery

Is your laptop not holding a charge anymore? Don't buy a new one, hack the old one! Laptop batteries can cost upwards of a hundred dollars, but with new lithium batteries and some soldering tools, the new one works just as well. Watch this video computer circuitry tutorial and learn how to hack a dead laptop battery.

How To: Monitor the Battery Levels of All Your iPhone Bluetooth Accessories with Just a Swipe

The battery icon in your iPhone's status bar gives you a visual idea of how much power is left, and there's a battery percentage option you can switch to or view in the Control Center, depending on your model. But what you may not know is that there's a way to view the battery percentage of every device connected to your iPhone, from AirPods to Bluetooth speakers and your Apple Watch.

How To: Replace a programmable thermostat with Lowe's

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to replace and install a programmable thermostat. The materials required for this project are: a screwdriver, masking tape, marking pencil and batteries. Begin by turning off the power of the furnace. Then remove the face of the old thermostat and detach the labeled wires. Now remove the wall plate. Then mount the plate of the new unit and connect the wires to the corresponding codes. Finish by inserting batteries, placing the face plate on the wall p...

How To: Make a rechargeable, solar-powered USB battery

An emergency battery charger for your mobile phone comes in handy, but it's not the ultimate solution; once it's dead it's useless (what a waste). If you want to really get off the metaphorical grid, you can follow the steps in this video to construct a more robust circuit that will not only bail you out of an inconvenient situation but also recharge in between uses. The simple addition of a low voltage solar panel and rechargeable batteries makes this possible. Enjoy!

How To: Make Splinter Cell prop goggles

In this tutorial, we learn how to make Splinter Cell prop goggles. You will need: goggles, a saw, pipe, a brush, black paint, duct tape, batteries, chop sticks, glue, a ruler, and a pen. First, mark three cuts on the pipe to 3 cm and 5.5 cm. Now, use the saw to cut these. Then, use sandpaper to smooth all the edges. Next, place these onto the goggles and glue them with a hot glue gun. Next, grab two batteries and wrap them in duct tape. Place these with them and then paint these all black. Af...

How To: Make a glowing ice bulb from a balloon

To make a glowing ice bulb, like the one in this how-to video, you need LEDs, batteries, wire, a balloon, and electrical tape. First, you connect the led to the wires. Then, you put the LED in the balloon, fill the balloon with water and freeze it. Once frozen, remove the balloon and attach batteries. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a glowing ice bulb from a balloon.

How To: Use jumper cables to jump start a car

This video explains how to use jumper cables to jump start a car. First, determine that a dead battery is the reason your car is not starting. If the engine cranks when you turn the key, the problem is not the battery and jump-starting won't help. If the windshield wipers, lights and heater blower all work, the battery is probably fine and you may have a bad starter. A jump-start won't help if you have a bad starter. If you hear no sound at all when you turn the key or if the engine cranks ve...

How To: Baby proof your home

Worried about your baby or toddler either wrecking or wrecking themselves in your home? Baby proofing time! Make sure your house is safe and secure for your child when they start exploring their turf.

How To: Clean your basement

Clean your basement like a champ. The hardest part of cleaning a basement is working around all that stuff you’ve stuck down there. This game plan will help. Check out this Howcast video tutorial on how to clean your basement.

How To: Make your own 6v battery pack for the Vivitar 285HV

You can make your own 6 volt battery pack for the Vivitar 285HV camera. The Vivitar 285 is known as the "cockroach" flash because it is well put together and it is very hard to kill the flash. Manual mode settings and the color setting are explained briefly. Instead of using four double A batteries to power this flash you can make your own 6V battery to power it. This is beneficial because the 6V battery will last longer and some of them have the ability to be charged up.

How To: Install a bicycle computer

PerformanceBikes will show you how to install a bicycle computer. Whether you have a simple computer or a more advanced computer you be able to see the basic instructions. Start by reading the instruction, install the handle bell mounts, install the wireless transmitter. You then install your spoke magnet, then calibrate your computer for your wheel size. Make sure you have read your own particular directions. If its not working, make sure you re-read your instruction, check your set up or ch...

How To: Hack a UPS with a car battery

Find the ins and outs to UPS hacking in this video from Systm! And were not talking about the parcel service here—we're talking about your UPS system—your uninterruptible power supply, which can be pretty weak. That's why you should hack the tiny battery out of it and replace it with a giant car battery! Your UPS will last a lot longer, which is important when it comes to power outages. Though Systm doesn't recommend swapping out batteries, they do walk you through the process so you get it d...

How To: Build a beam bot twin motor robot base

This robot is BEAM bot inspired. First we build up the Motor Drive, an excellent and cheap Robot Bot-Base. We start with the Tamiya kit, get it going, then strap on a battery and a drag wheel, center the drag wheel. Tape it all in place with bright yellow tape and make a BEAM Bot with batteries. Plans for this BEAM framework are to add smarts.

How To: Make a lighted holiday bow

What a unique bow. Your gifts will be beautiful under the Christmas tree. Materials you will need are: plastic wrap, hot glue, LEDs, scissors, pliers duct tape, glue gun and glue, toothpicks and 3 volt batteries. First you take the plastic wrap and cut it about 5 times the size your bow is going to be. Take the end and push it together. Now make one side of the bow, push together, and make the other side of the bow. Keep going back and forth until the plastic wrap is at the end. The left over...

How To: Make a burglar alarm

Learn how to make a cheap burglar alarm/trip wire alarm with step by step instructions. This is pretty basic but effective. Cardboard, fishing line, batteries, soldering wire, soldering iron, hot melt glue gun, an empty soft drink can, electrical tape, buzzer are some of the necessary equipment. Follow along and make your own burglar alarm and keep your house safe.

How To: Make a 200mw burning laser

Don't use a perfectly good DVD burner to get your laser that will pop balloons, light matches, and burn stuff. Just buy a laser diode at mfgcn.com and also a laser housing, and you won't be tearing a computer DVD player apart. This is the easy way to make a 200mW burning DVD laser. Use a Mini Maglite and some rechargeable batteries so you don't burn out the laser.

How To: Waterproof a remote controlled vehicle

If you call yourself a hobbyist or a kid at heart, you know that remote-controlled vehicles are more than just fun. If you're a serious R/C man, you'll know all about doing everything to your model truck or car, like fixing wheels, vamping the pinion gears, waterproofing, troubleshooting, electronic diagnostics, setting up, programming and finally... racing. As much as you know about these remote-controlled vehicles, it will never be enough, you'll always be looking for more...

How To: Build your K'NEX Starburst Spinner Thrill Ride

K'NEX is one of the most popular construction toys on the market, right next to Lincoln Logs and LEGOs, but what makes K'NEX stand out is the fact that children can build mechanically derived toys. Instead of blocks or little logs, kids use interconnecting plastic rods and connectors, which give them tons of contraptions to build and play with. Today, K NEX has even more possibilities with wheels, pulleys, panels and flexi-rods to make amusement park roller coasters, airplanes, animals, bikes...

How To: Understand car battery basics

For most automotive applications a battery needs to supply a lot of current for a short period of time to turn over the engine and get the car started. With the engine running, the car's alternator produces all the power the car needs. Thin plates inside a starting battery increase the surface area and produce this relative burst of energy. Thicker plates in a deep cycle battery provide a steady amount of current over a long period of time. Deep cycle batteries excel in reserve capacity (RC),...

How To: Make a cheap, bright police grade flashlight

Make a $100 super bright cop flashlight for less than $10, as shown in the steps of this how-to video. This flashlight is brighter than a Surefire and is so easy to do. You will need a compact flashlight, a Krypton flashlight lamp, a file or drill bit, and 3 volt batteries. Watch this video circuitry tutorial and learn how to modify a cheap plastic flashlight into giving off a stronger, brighter light.

How To: Solder a resistor to an LED

A basic instruction for electronic enthusiasts. I use an RGB LED and a 510 ohm resistor as I may change from 6 to 9 volts later, but with my LEDs i could go as low as 330 ohms. I sacrifice some brightness for the sake of longer life. To choose your resistor, the value in ohms = voltage of your batteries or power supply / (as in divided by) the amperage that your LED needs to run.

How To: Craft a "Harry Potter" style wand that lights up

With the first installment of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" out, don't be surprised if you find yourself more than ever wanting to whip out a twelve inch phoenix feather wand and wrist twirl your way to defeating your own personal Voldemort. While this video won't teach you how to do magic (so sad), it will teach you how to craft a very cool-looking "Harry Potter" wand that can do the "lumos" spell.

How To: Use an electric tester to test wires

In this video we learn how to use an electric tester to test wires. You will first need to purchase a voltage tester that runs on double a batteries. When you press it the end will turn green and you are ready to use it. Test it out by pushing it into a plug you know works and see if it turns red and starts to beep. If you own a home or are renovating this can help you out a lot if you don't have switches around. You can place the tester on a wire to find out if it's on and then become safer ...

How To: Build a portable personal heater

In this video, we learn how to build a portable personal heater. This is a great weekend project that is easy to make and will keep you warm during a freezing winter. You will need: two double a batteries, charger, twin double a battery charger, winding wire, and balsa wood. First, cut the wood the size of the battery holder and cut it out. Now, reel off 30 ft of winding wire and hold down with duct tape. Wind the wire around the piece of wood and tape down the other end of the wire. Scrape o...

How To: Prepare your home for winter snow fall

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to winterize their home. Users should begin by cleaning the gutters on the side of their house. Scoop out all the debris and seal it with caulk. Then change the batteries of the smoke detector and clean it. It must be replaced if it is over 10 years old. Prepare the lawn mower for the spring season by sharpening the blades, clean it and drain all the gas out. It is a good idea to trim off the shrubs and trees. This video will benefit those viewers who...

How To: Choose a drill

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to choose a drill. There are 3 types of drills: cordless drills, electric drills and rotary hammer drills. cordless drills run on batteries and have a hammer setting. cordless drills are able to drill into concrete with mason drill bits. Electric drills last much more longer than cordless drills, but are limited by the extension reach. Rotary hammer drills are only used to drill into concrete. Some drills require a chuck key. Others have a key-less ch...

How To: Sync a Nintendo Wiimote to your Wii

Michael Weisner guides us through syncing a Wiimote with a Wii. You will need a Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii remote to do this. First, you will need to open the front hatch door on the console and you will see a red button, don't press it yet. Now, look at the back of your Wiimote and remove the backing from the remote. Now, you should see a red button on the lower right hand side of the controller. Now, go back to your console and press the red button on that, then press the red button loca...