MAKE | Li’l Sparky – Miniature electric chair Halloween gadget

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By Phillip Torrone
Posted 2006/10/29 @ 8:34 am
Category Electronics, Home

MAKE Flickr photo pool member Rob Cruickshank made an awesome miniature electric chair, the video is hilarious! He writes – “Putting the “cute” in “electrocute”! Powered by a 9v battery, it delivers just a little jolt. Endless possibilities for fun- imagine if the one who loses at Scrabble, or doesn’t do the dishes has to go to “the chair”! Also good for trick-or-treaters who show up without a costume. “ – Link.

BY Phillip Torrone

Editor at large - Make magazine. Creative director - Adafruit Industries, contributing editor - Popular Science. Previously: Founded - Hack-a-Day, how-to editor - Engadget, Director of product development - Fallon Worldwide, Technology Director - Braincraft.

In the Maker Shed

6 Responses to Li’l Sparky – Miniature electric chair Halloween gadget

wackyvorlon on October 29th, 2006 at 12:09 am said:

Do be careful with this little fellow, some medical conditions do not respond well to electric shock. A 9-volt battery can pack more wallop than you may expect.

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RobCruickshank on October 29th, 2006 at 7:10 am said:

Quite right! I actually thought this up in response to a project previously posted on MAKE, which used a disposable camera flash as a shocker. I felt that one was incredibly dangerous, then started thinking of a project that would deliver a shock, but not have the potential of actually killing someone. The design of having it give the shock across two fingers of the same hand is deliberate- you should never, ever, make something to give a shock across both hands, as the current then has a path through the heart. And obviously, this is not a good prank to play on your 90 year old uncle, unless you stand to inherit something when he dies.

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kryten007 on October 29th, 2006 at 9:25 am said:

Ah, a fine tribute to the significant others of makers and the crap they put up with

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Bre on October 29th, 2006 at 9:55 am said:

My favorite part of this is that the wires are coiled!

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hrf3420 on November 1st, 2006 at 6:52 pm said:

Yeah, you can also make a mini-taser with a relay like that. Can pack quite a [little] punch when touched to the creases of your palm!

http://img274.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lilsparkysu9.jpg

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johnkay on September 18th, 2007 at 6:57 am said:

ok.. I made this with radioshack 9vdc relay (#275-005) as suggested but It does not make a constant buzzing sound when it is switched on..I just get a click sound as switch goes on and off and only get a shock at that time not when switch is on ON position all time.. I’ve checked all connections.. any help.. appreciated.. Thanks.

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