Vacuum bug zapper! (Updated)

Hello there,

This is a little bug-zapper that works with a computer FAN and a CCFL inverter.
The insects will get sucked-in and then get zapped by a 2kV arc :D
It's powered by a 9V battery and is easy to use. The compact design also makes it mobile.

A video of the zapper in action:

Step 1 Requirements

• a sheet of cardboard (or PVC pipe, better)
• cutter knife
• hot glue
• computer FAN
• CCFL inverter (paper scanner or screen back-light)
• a 9V battery
• a 9V battery holder (clip)
• some wires
• a push-button
• some bare wire
• electrical tape
• high voltage diode (3kV+) or three times 1N4006 or 1N4007
• high voltage capacitor (500v +) (somewhere between 60nF and 10nF, NOT HIGHER!)
(using a bigger capacitor won't harm the circuit, but it would become lethal).

Comments

[BrunoG]

If the capacitor is rated for 500v and it produces 2kv arcs... You know whats the question...
Good project.
It is very cooooooooooooo,e+560,oooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!

[garrickhimself]

Where can a conventional CCFL inverter like the one used here be bought on its own? I'm having a very hard time finding one and would prefer not to hunt around for a scanner.

[Electorials]

Where do you live?

I don't really know where to get them in other countries, and even not in my own country :/

[garrickhimself]

In the US. After I posted this comment I dug a little more and found that on ebay, you can find a "CCFL inverter tester" that is basically a standalone CCFL inverter that is used to troubleshoot display issues. It's shipping from Hong Kong so I won't get it until mid-next week, but if it looks like yours when I take it apart, I'll post another comment.

I'm a newbie when it comes to electronics and will be following your instructions almost verbatim, so I'll probably post a picture of it if I can't figure it out.

[Electorials]

ok; no problem :) However, if it's a laptop inverter, I don't know on what voltage it may run.
Would it be possible to give me the ebay link? Maybe I can make up some stuff from it. Something like this is perfect:
<link>

I also see a lot of these black boxes on ebay:
<link>
I don't know if these are good because I can't see what's inside, but looking at the incoming and outgoing wires, and the box size, I think it's content is exactly the same as the one from the first link :)

[garrickhimself]

The first link you posted is the one I bought. I saw it ran on a minimum of 9V so I figured that would be OK. Thanks for still actively supporting this instructable!

[Electorials]

No problem :)
The inverter should be just fine.

If it arrives, and there are any problems or questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment ;)

[skeetshooter11]

DANGER DANGER: use pvc rather than cardboard

[anaveed1]

okay can i use the ballast off a fluroscene lamp rather than the ccfl inverter or a transformer ?

[Electorials]

From a regular fluorescent lamp? No, not possible.

From a compact flourescent lamp like those with E3 fittings? It might be possible but I'm not really sure.
I 'think' they also convert the input voltage to high voltage, but the disadvantage is rhat they operate on 120v (or 230v in europe)

[anaveed1]

and if i use a 230v transformer would it be enough ?

[Electorials]

I don't understand why you would use a transformer?
There is no use for that here.

[Kokor]

True Mad Science!

[Electorials]

Thanks ;)

[the gadget dude]

cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Electorials]

Thanks =)

[building_boy]

THIS IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOL!


THANX!

[Electorials]

Thank you ;)

[the gadget dude]

dude try making a suck cannon that shoots whatever you suck with it and if you produce it i'll buy it of you

[Electorials]

haha, that would be awesome!

[EngineeringShock]

Super cool! Got my vote =)

[Electorials]

Thank you! :D
You also have some nice instructables ;)

[Alex1M6]

That's awesome ( :

[ahowell3]

Is there a reason you went for cardboard as opposed to something less flammable, such as a PVC pipe?

[Electorials]

Not really, I now also think it was a really bad idea.
I just didn't really think about it because I thought I wouldn't make an instructable for this.

[Electorials]

I added some notes about PVC pipe in the instructable.

[mr.incredible]

Neat. You might improve your "bug attraction" with a bug light or pheromones under the grid. I don't think the fan alone will catch much. Are you going to post some action video?

Your "Safety to the user" sounds like a little bit of experience. 8-D

[mr.incredible]

I need actual death video...

[Electorials]

I won't be uploading videos of me killing bugs on youtube, sorry.
You can build it your own and have as much fun as you want to :D

[Electorials]

I accidentally removed my post :(
I hope you got a mail of it?
could you send me back the text please? I typed so much :(

anyway, here is the new video: (I deleted my previous video)

[Electorials]

(removed by author or community request)

[Grissini]

I love that this warning is at the end of this ible. Let us know if anything catches fire! Great idea and cool project.

[Electorials]

haha ok :D