A handcrank flashlight that charges a spring which powers the light!

We were at the thrift store today, and couldn't resist buying this flashlight. Sure, it was $25, and that's a lot more than I like to pay for things, especially at the thrift store. But, I love handcrank stuff! A lot of my handcrank flashlights and radios have their rechargable batteries stop working after a year or two. They still work...but only while we crank them. That's kind of a bummer.

This little guy, however, stores the crank in a big ol' spring and then--with the utilization of some gears and likely other cool stuff--it powers the light! It runs for white a while with just a few seconds of cranking.

Freeplay handcrank flashlight

I was just going to post pictures, but thought it might be fun to see the thing in action. I thought I'd taken a second, better video, but apparently I didn't hit record. But, this at least show the thing in action.



I'm not sure if this was made in 2000 (like is mentioned on The Museum of Design in Plastic's website), or 2020, like the date inscribed on it's side. Either way, I like having light that works without a battery!

If anyone has more info on it, I'd love to know more!

The Science Museum Group's website seems to indicate that it was made in 2000, and it's model number is 20/20.

I found an article from the BBC about it! https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2000/sep/02/travelkit

What is it? A torch that works without batteries.

How? You crank a little handle, like the reel on a fishing rod.

A wind-up in more ways than one? No, it really works. Wind for 20 seconds and you get 10 minutes' light from three bright white low-energy light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Very techie. What else? The new 2020 also has a rechargeable battery: 24 hours plugged to the mains gives you 45 minutes' light from a Xenon-filled bulb.

Big as a house, I suppose? Nine inches by five by four, weight 2.2 lbs.

Not for backpackers, then? Better for car boots, motorbike panniers, and round the house.

An arm and a leg? £39.95. But you don't buy batteries.

I can get a nice little Maglite for half that. Yes: but this one never goes out. And it spares you that pang of environmental guilt as you bung another handful of AAs in the bin.

Where do I get one? Ring 0800 731 3052 for stockists. They come in opaque yellow, or translucent clear or blue .

What's the alternative? That sinking feeling as your batteries die, the darkness closes in and the baying of the wolves sounds ever closer.

Here someone has taken apart a Freeplay handcrank radio



I wonder if the newer Freeplay technology works the same, or it if requires rechargeable batteries to hold the charge?