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Two Cell LED Torch

It sometimes comes as a bit of a shock the first time you need to replace the batteries in an LED torch and find that they are not the usual supermarket grade alkaline batteries but in fact expensive Lithium cells. The torch may have been a give away at an advertising promo but now you discover that the cost of a replacement battery is more than the torch is worth. Before you consign the torch to the waste bin take a look at this circuit. It uses a classic two-transistor astable multivibrator configuration to drive the LEDs via a transformer from two standard 1.5 V alkaline batteries.

The operating principle of the multivibrator has been well documented and with the components specified here it produces a square wave output with a frequency of around 800 Hz. This signal is used to drive a small transformer with its output across two LEDs connected in series. Conrad Electronics supplied the transformer used in the original circuit. The windings have a 1:5 ratio. The complete specification is available on the (German) company website at www.conrad.de part no. 516236. It isn’t essential to use the same transformer so any similar model with the same specification will be acceptable.


The LEDs are driven by an alternating voltage and they will only conduct in the half of the waveform when they are forward biased. Try reversing both LEDs to see if they light more brightly. Make sure that the transformer is fitted correctly; use an ohmmeter to check the resistance of the primary and secondary windings if you are unsure which is which. The load impedance for the left hand transistor is formed by L in series with the 1N4002 diode. The inductance of L isn’t critical and can be reduced to 3.3 mH if necessary. The impedance of the transformer secondary winding ensures that a resistor is not required in series with the LEDs.

Unlike filament type light sources, white LEDs are manufactured with a built-in reflector that directs the light forward so an additional external reflector or lens glass is not required. The LEDs can be mounted so that both beams point at the same spot or they can be angled to give a wider area of illumination depending on your needs. Current consumption of the circuit is approximately 50 mA and the design is even capable of producing a useful light output when the battery voltage has fallen to 1 V. The circuit can be powered either by two AAA or AA size alkaline cells connected in series or alternatively with two rechargeable NiMH cells.