I bought a cheap Chinese plug-in night light based on weird mushrooms because it looked kinda cool. It's just as cool as it looks on ebay and has some neat design features. For a start, the LEDs plug into small sockets, so they can be changed if desired. Note that this should be done with the power off and polarity must be observed as the high open circuit voltage could nuke wrongly inserted LEDs.
The circuitry is a simple capacitive dropper with a 220nF cap limiting the current. The light sensor circuit is just an NPN transistor, a resistor and an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) that effectively shorts out the LEDs during the hours of daylight. There's a strange extra resistor just placed across the LEDs. I'm not sure if this is just to limit the open circuit voltage if the LED circuit goes open circuit. By my rough calculations the voltage would still be around 70V which would still greatly exceed the voltage rating of the small electrolytic used to smooth the LED supply slightly.
At the end of the video I chop the transistor out so that the lights will stay on 24/7. The power consumption is the same anyway.
Another interesting point to note is that the mains plug connections are just pressed against solder pads on the back of the PCB and not soldered. I guess that with a single screw holding the PCB in it will effectively triangulate on the two power pins.
I actually like this light a lot. I've just ordered another two and a different style to make one really big one.
You can find these on ebay if you do a search for - led mushroom night light.
Although designed for 220V they should be fine on anything from 90V upwards.

14 thoughts on “Chinese mushroom night light teardown.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Luna says:

    very informative also very asmr and calming

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Murugaiyan Kumaresan says:

    Today I received the mushroom shape automatic sensor LED colour changing.
    But it's not working contrition in the time of receiving .

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars The Nuclear Pinball says:

    Is there someone that sells the caps and the LEDs with the stems. I would like to make a table top version of it

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sercan Erol says:

    I order one from online store will see how's the durability, thanks for this detailed video 👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars my privacy world says:

    Hoe to change led light i got fused led after purchasing it

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Super Saiyan Goku says:

    These are quite neat.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars SSP says:

    My friend bought me one for my Birthday and it doesn't work. 🙁
    Opened it up and everything looks alright though.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars In a magic Nutshell says:

    I have this in my room!! It glows like a magic forest !!!

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Himanshu Khanna says:

    Hi. Can you please provide value of resistor used the big blue one next to capacitor. As mine is burnt and need to replace it.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars WATER is FUEL says:

    99 cents including free shipping to USA.
    Amazing if they can make any profit at all.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars E-LUV says:

    Do you feel comfortable with the main power plugs not being soldered on. Do you ever see that being a hazard?

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ray Lyford says:

    I bought one of these to look at. Mine has No Plugs for the LED's , the wires soldered direct to the PCB. The PBC is just sits inside the Plug not secured . The mains wires are also soldered to the PCB . Must be the Economy Version. DOA.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lee Bartholomew says:

    The shape of that plug though .. looks like it was intended for the UK. Reminds me of your Bug light that has Blue LEDs not UV LEDS. that well I don't have kids around so I can run it but the plug area clearly was intended for the 2 round pole type plugs. not American. And unlike yours it seems it doesn't want to come apart as easily so I'm not doing that until I brush my hands across the wires 😛 or it just blows up 😀

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars zaqway says:

    "I might get one or two more"
    …and we all know how it ended 😀

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