Introduction: Free Electric Hand Warmer/Stove
Small nine volt heater. Stop at step three for the case and the battery clip.
Step 1: Tools and Supplies
Supplies:
Ni chrome wire or thick steel wool type thing, different thicknesses and lengths heat differently. Some wire will need more voltage to glow red hot.
9 volt battery w/ metal case
Solder
Some kind of adhesive
Tools:
Soldering iron
Utility knife
Flat head screwdriver
scissors
Step 2: Dissecting the Battery
Use your screwdriver to pry open the top of the battery. Inside the battery are 6 AAAA cells (you need everything but these and the bottom cover).
Step 3: Creating the Heating Element
Cut about 1" of whichever wire you are using and solder both ends onto the contacts on the backside of the top cover of the battery (the picture explains it better). You can also stop here and solder wires onto the contacts to use it as a battery clip and use the case for whatever you like.
Step 4: Install Heater Into Case
Apply your adhesive to the BOTTOM of the battery case and slide in the heating element. Try not to let the wire touch the side of the case. Wait for the adhesive to dry.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
I used the utility knife to poke holes in the side of the case.
Step 6: Testing
To test your hand warmer hook up a fresh 9 volt battery to the leads on the hand warmer. If it works then the wire inside should glow orange. DO NOT LEAVE THE BATTERY ATTACHED TO THE HEATER!!!, by doing that you are shorting out the battery and the battery will begin to heat up. To use your hand warmer attach the battery in pulses until your hand warmer is at desired temperature. If your hand warmer works than it is because the wire is resisting the flow of electricity and giving off heat as a bi product. I am proud to say that this instructable was created using recycled materials! Please do not actually TOUCH the hand warmer while it is hot. This is made so that you can use it as a small stove or warm your hands OVER it. I do not recommend sticking hot metal down your gloves.
Step 7: Thanks and Liability
Thanks for viewing my instructable. I am not liable for any burns or injuries caused by this instructable. I appreciate your ratings and comments and please vote for me in the epilog challenge. And remember to check out my other instructables and keep working to save our planet.
Thanks again.
-Ty

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50 Comments
7 years ago
Well while your at it will also show use how to get 9v battery acid off outer hands :)
10 years ago on Introduction
this isnt a good idea
11 years ago on Introduction
thank you very much
11 years ago on Introduction
It may be safer for you to use a 5W power resistor and mount it to the metal case. That way, you can control the current with I=V/R. 0.5A is okay for AA batteries.
12 years ago on Introduction
Here's a safer way to do this, get a small 12v bulb such at those used on car interior (dome) lights & wire it to an old 9v battery top as you've done here. Safe & cheap,cheap, cheap ...
12 years ago on Introduction
If your worried of explosions (which I doubt) you could use a resistor of the right value.
13 years ago on Introduction
I believe all batteries sold in the US are required to have vents to vent gasses outward to prevent "kasplosions". This includes AA, AAA, C, D, and 9v batteries. Older batteries do not have vents, which is probably where you got this idea.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
!EXPLODE!
13 years ago on Step 6
just connect 2 nine volts together with a switch in between faster and easier but be careful because it does get super hot and will burn you very badly if used incorrectly.
14 years ago on Introduction
IMA SCATMAN!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
no you aren't
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
(cries for a while)
WELL YOU'RE NOT REALLY ROB!!!!!!
Reply 14 years ago on Step 6
I might be one of the only people in this thread that understands this... i feel old... yet wise??
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
your not alone man ^^
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
wtf random :P
14 years ago on Introduction
Im 15 too! LOL
14 years ago on Step 6
I realize that this would add cost and detract the ratio of recycled materials, but isn't there some sort of IC you could put in line and would complete the circuit in pulses so that you could leave the battery attached for significantly longer?
Reply 14 years ago on Step 6
Thats a good idea but considering I'm 13 and don't know too much about electronics I would have to learn more about electronics if I wanted to do that.
Reply 14 years ago on Step 6
im 13 too!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I am 13 too