Build Your Own Stun Gun

mariox19 writes "Wondering what to do with your disposable camera when you're finished with it? TechTV has an article describing how to reach out and zap someone with a home-made stun gun. I discovered the link via Bruce Schneier's latest Cryptogram, where Schneier half-jokingly warns not to let airport security find out about this, lest (in their 'wisdom') they ban cameras along with nail clippers."

Comments

Don't think this is going to work to well...

[Caeda]

I suppose its possible that "some" cameras have the right hardware inside to make this. However, personal experience leads me to believe that there are cameras which will deliver just enough shock to piss someone off even more. In fixing a rather nice digital camera a while back, I just happened to touch the wrong wire and... ZAP!!! Ouch? Yes. A knockout? Definately not. Confusing, especially since the batteries werent in the thing. Put it back together, tried it, ended up charing the thing again. Took it apart again. Discovered another wrong spot to touch... ZAP! Equally painful the second time, but still no knockout... That time I ended up throwing the thing in a brief hand spasm which resulted in it landing on my leg and... oh no.. ZAP! That was number 3 and damn I hated that thing but it was still just painful and nothing like a stun gun should deliver. Heck. Not even as bad as picking up a damp laptop battery and having it discharge into you. That'll make your arm numb for hours ;)

Cattle Prod

[John Hasler]

Just stop by your local farm store and pick up a cattle prod. Or order one at http://www.redhillgeneralstore.com/prod.htm or one of their many competitors.

This is dangerous

[sploxx]

Yeah, capacitors on slashdot once again :)
But beware that this is really dangerous. I touched a flash capacitor some time ago, 40uF@400V are not really nice. 200uF@600V and I can assure you that you will fly across the room, hopefully surviving the shock. I have several 1uF@10kV caps, and I don'T dare to charge them to > 3kV (LOUD, risk of EMI, some PC failures already because of cap discharges)

Because this is all too destructive, here is a nice modification (I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY!!):
Leave the connection to the flash tube intact. Increase the capacity of the HV cap. Add capacitors salvaged from other cameras, or as a very cheap alternative, from PC power supplies.
Check the voltage rating. Often, they're rated at 800uF@200V, if your flash light operates around 200V, connect two of them in series (+ -)(+ -).

You can get nice, very *bright* flashes with this method. Do not add to much or the flash time will explode.

Problems here:
- NEVER touch power supply caps, they can store 10x - 20x the energy of flash caps. Lethal!
- Discharge the CAPs from the power supplies before salvaging.
- Discharge the unit after use with an *isolated* gripper, better yet, a high-wattage resistor (few kOhms) hold by an *isolated* gripper.

Someone said that more that more than 10 joule are dangerous, but I think you should not set an upper bound for harmless capacitors.

PS. Someone told me that you have to drink much liquid after an electric shock. Because it removes toxic products from your body which could result in kidney failure or so. Maybe the medicine-studying /.ers know more?
But... better don't let this happen!

Re:This is dangerous

[ColdWetDog]

"PS. Someone told me that you have to drink much liquid after an electric shock. Because it removes toxic products from your body which could result in kidney failure or so. Maybe the medicine-studying /.ers know more? But... better don't let this happen

Yeah, not a bright (so to speak) idea. When a significant jolt of electricity runs through your body, it can cause destruction of lots of cells (including those that do important things like regulate heart rhythm). When the cells get fried, the explode. If they're muscle cells (and you have lots of them even if you're a ninety pound weakling), they spill a protein call myoglobin. Too much myoglobin clogs up your kidneys. This isn't a desirable outcome. Since "the solution to pollution is dilution", pushing lots of fluids can help protect the kidneys. This is typical care for an burn patient (electric or otherwise) in a hospital setting. As the old saying goes, "do not try this at home..."