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

[huck alexander]

Saw this just in time for camping season! Question: How long should I expect a 9v to last in this application?

[Electorials]

I really have no idea :o
The inverter circuit doesn't really draw a lot of current, so the battery doesn't die that fast at all, but I never emptied a battery with this so I don't know how long they last :/
For saying a random number, I think you can zap 100 bugs with it :P

[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!!!!!!!

[Electorials]

poof!

I wouldn't try electrolytic capacitors because they will definately blow.

Those ceramic capacitors will make snapping noises inside, which means the layers are arcing to each other trough the insulation. After that, the capacitor will just no longer work but those won't explode.

[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