Summary of RGB LED Color Cycling Circuit
This article details the repurposing of an RGB LED color-cycling circuit from a Glade LightShow air freshener. The author disassembles the device, removes the heating resistor and original power supply, and powers the board using a 4xAA battery pack to create a standalone color-cycling light.
Parts used in the Glade LightShow Repurposing Project:
- Glade LightShow air freshener
- Circuit board
- Battery pack (4) AA batteries
- Drill or screwdriver
- Soldering equipment
- White ceramic 5W square resistor
- Original switch
How to re purpose a the RGB LED color cycling circuitry from a Glade LightShow air freshener.
I was in the process of creating a red, green , blue color cycling circuit based on a PIC microcontroller when I spotted the Glade LightShow air freshener.
I wanted to know if it could be hacked up and used for other purposes. I found a couple of online coupons and when it went on sale in the store, I got 2 for $3 a piece.
WARNING!!!! If you run this with the wall plug, PLEASE let it cool down first. The resistor inside WILL BURN YOU.
Step 1: Rip it apart
I started by drilling out the plastic rivets on the bottom of the airfreshener. This is not nesscesary, but makes it easier to open. If you don’t have a drill, just rip
the darn thing open with a screwdriver.
Step 2: Remove the Circuit Board
Ok, once open, feel free to cut the cord. My first one had a 5V AC power supply, the second one was 9V DC. Either way, I was not interested in the power supply.
Remove the circuit board and discard everything except the circuit board, power supply (good for some other project), and the bottle of smelly stuff.
Use the smelly stuff to make your car smell better.
Step 3: Make the Mods
Now desolder the big square resistor (the white ceramic 5W square on top). You can simply snip it off, but I chose to desolder it.
Next, I removed the switch that turned on the air freshener. This also is not necessary, but kept me from trying to use the wrong switch to turn it on.
Step 4: Now add Power
I played around and found two alternate contact points for the 5V + and -. My goal was to eliminate the circuitry that went to the 5W resistor and heated it up to make the perfume
more effective.
I soldered a battery pack of (4) AA batteries to these connections. Note that I am using rechargables so the total voltage is only 4.8 ( 4 * 1.2V ).
Now, pop the switch once to make it come on. Again to make it cycle slowly, again to make it freeze, and again to turn it off.
For more detail: RGB LED Color Cycling Circuit
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How can I open the Glade LightShow air freshener?
You can drill out the plastic rivets on the bottom or rip it open with a screwdriver. -
What should I do with the smelly bottle after removing the circuit?
You can use the remaining smelly stuff to make your car smell better. -
Which component must be removed to stop the heating function?
You need to desolder or snip off the big square white ceramic 5W resistor. -
Can I keep the original power supply for this project?
No, the author discarded the power supply but noted it is good for some other project. -
What voltage does the modified circuit run on?
The circuit runs on a 4.8V battery pack made from four 1.2V rechargeable AA batteries. -
Does the switch control the cycling speed?
Yes, popping the switch once makes it come on, again to cycle slowly, again to freeze, and again to turn it off. -
Is it safe to run the device directly from a wall plug?
No, you must let it cool down first because the resistor inside will burn you if hot.
