High Voltage Pulse Generator for $8 (stungun)

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Introduction: High Voltage Pulse Generator for $8 (stungun)

About: Hello, I'm Bruce. I'm a student in Belgium. I have a wide variety of interests: electronics, computers, technology, ... In my spare time I spend a lot of time on: projects, exploring the internet, cycling. ht…

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

NameEbay LinkPrice [$]
HV Modulelink3.51
Battery Holderlink0.72
Push Buttonlink0.72
Enclosurelink0.80
Batterylink2.53
Battery Chargerlink0.72
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

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    13 Comments

    0
    fabianw12
    fabianw12

    4 years ago on Step 7

    Great Work!

    How much current it consume de HV module?

    with that battery how much time its on?

    Thanks

    0
    Albertv3
    Albertv3

    4 years ago

    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!

    0
    FarazA29
    FarazA29

    5 years ago

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

    0
    FarazA29
    FarazA29

    Reply 5 years ago

    I already found it :)

    0
    B0nkers
    B0nkers

    5 years ago

    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
    0
    mach1950
    mach1950

    5 years ago

    IT would hurt, like a stun gun?

    0
    geo bruce
    geo bruce

    Reply 5 years ago

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

    0
    PhotoMaster
    PhotoMaster

    5 years ago

    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!

    0
    PhotoMaster
    PhotoMaster

    Reply 5 years ago

    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.

    0
    rafununu
    rafununu

    5 years ago

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

    0
    geo bruce
    geo bruce

    Reply 5 years ago

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