By disassembling a disposable camera, we can use the flash circuit to create high voltage sparks. Warning: This project can generate a deadly current and without proper safety precautions, you will die. I take no responsibility for injury or death that may occur. There are further safety recommendations in the last step.

Step 1: Disassemble the Camera

Pry the camera open using a knife and brute force. You don't need to save anything aside from the flash circuit.

Step 2: Bridge the Resistor

Solder a bridge across the current limiting resistor. There may be more than one. Follow the traces between the leads and the capacitor to find them.

To create the bridge, solder the two ends of the resistor together. In some cases, it might be easier to remove the resistor and solder a wire in it's place. Make sure to use wire that can handle the current. I would use nothing smaller than 24 gauge.

Step 3: Test

Insert the battery and press the charge button on the back of the PCB. You'll probably want to wear some sort of protection at this point.

Step 4: Bridge the Leads

Use something conductive to bridge the two leads coming off the PCB. I recommend soldering some heavy gauge wire to the leads in order to have better control over where the current is applied. Once the leads are soldered, you might wish to add a switch and enclose it in some sort of nonconductive box.

In this picture, we ran the current through a soda can. It melted the aluminum and put holes in the can, causing liquid to shoot out.

Step 5: Warning and More Info

Be careful! The current coming from this circuit is extremely dangerous and possibly lethal. Do not touch the leads while the circuit is charged and always be sure to discharge the circuit with a piece of conductive metal before handling.

After you've had some fun with the circuit, you can add another capacitor in parallel with the first one to create higher current sparks. These can get dangerous very fast and should only be used while wearing ear protection and a welding mask.

This is a Computer Science House project.