High Voltage Pulse Generator for $8 (stungun)

This device is capable of generating high voltage arcs, which can be used as an ignition system for a spud gun.
Or other things where High Voltage pulses are needed for testing purposes.

This device is chargeable with a micro usb cable.

Warning:
This project uses High Voltage and can be dangerous if used wrong. Build and use this on your own responsibility and never use this on living things.

Step 1: Get the Components

Name	Ebay Link	Price [$]
HV Module	link	3.51
Battery Holder	link	0.72
Push Button	link	0.72
Enclosure	link	0.80
Battery	link	2.53
Battery Charger	link	0.72
Total:	8.28

You can leave out the charger is if you don't want it.

Step 2: Perpare the Module

The module is a little bit to big to fit inside the enclosure.

First cut the excessive part from the tube off.
Than you can use a piece of sand paper or a milling machine to trim the height of the module to fit inside the casing.

When I was using the milling machine the tube broke and I was able to take the whole tube off, which was also fine.

Step 3: Solder the Circuit

1. First solder the battery connector to the charge module.
2. solder the GREEN wire of the high voltage module to the charge module "-" connection
   
3. solder the RED wire of the high voltage module to one side of the switch
4. solder a wire from the "+" connection of the charge module to the other side of the switch

Step 4: Test the Circuit

See how long you can make your arcs. this is important to know when placing the screws.

Step 5: Making the Enclosure

See where everything would fit inside the enclosure and make the holes for the components.

Step 6: Making the Electrodes

1. Cut the red High Voltage wires to size
2. Strip the red wires and solder spacers to them
3. Drill the holes in the enclosure for the bolts to go through
4. assemble everything as in the picture

Step 7: Final Touch

1. Test if everything works
2. Glue everything in place

Update: I added a lot of hot glue at the inside on the electrodes to prevent internal arcing

Comments

[fabianw12]

Great Work!

How much current it consume de HV module?

with that battery how much time its on?

Thanks

[Albertv3]

Good job Bruce! Made one too. Adding hot glue internally doesn't really help to prevent arcing. Best thing to prevent this is to keep the outside electrodes only about 16-17mm from each other!

[Albertv3]

By-the-way: did you know that your HV pulse generator pricks tiny holes in a sheet of paper held between both electrodes? NICE invention for a cheap braille writer device.

[FarazA29]

Really cool! I have a question regarding the used circuit. Which IC are you using and where can I buy it?

[FarazA29]

I already found it :)

[PROJECTILE PRO]

awesome

[B0nkers]

Don't get caught with one of these in the UK - the mandatory minimum jail term is five years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-40045163

Man caught with stun gun disguised as torch jailed for five years

[mach1950]

IT would hurt, like a stun gun?

[geo bruce]

I've never felt a stun gun, but I tested this on my leg a few times and it's not a pleasant feeling.

[PhotoMaster]

I have seen something very similar (electrically the same) listed for science purposes. I'm thinking of making this for lighting camp fires. Great instructable!

[geo bruce]

I'm not sure it this is a great lighter for campfires.
You can do a lot with a decent firesteel, I orderd a big one and 3d printed a handle for it: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2317140
The
one I bought on ebay or on aliexpress

[PhotoMaster]

I have all sorts of fire starters for camping. I was going to buy and electric lighter but this circuit would serve the same purpose, with additional functionality.

[rafununu]

Cool. It can't be 1000kV (10^6V), such a voltage generates an arc of 33 cm in normal air !

[geo bruce]

Sure it isn't 1000kV, but it's still a lot of bangs for buck!