Ozzy looks for a spark.

Ozz — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:43:39 +0000

So if I may start from the beginning, I own a laptop. It crashed a lot, required frequent restoring, and overheated like crazy. A few weeks back, it died. No more startup, battery’s shot, wont restore. Power issues aside, probably the hard drive that was the issue. Doesn’t matter. I decided I was going to blow it up. Inspired by The Ruku to do something that isn’t Dragon Age, and Kara to actually update this thing, I decided if it was going to actually happen, it was gonna happen right, dammit.

And so, a schematic for a spark box was drawn:

'We can figure out the finer details as we go.'

And then, armed with an eighth grade knowledge of electronics and no desire to research anything, a real schematic was drawn:

I'm not sure how "live wires" is actually symbolised. It probably isn't. With good reason.

The concept itself is simple; The toggle switch is flipped to ‘arm’ with a LED to indicate power on as a safety measure, then the button is pressed to generate a spark between two external wires. I haven’t figured out what’ll be on the end of that spark, but thats later. First, a trip to the local Jaycar for components. Battery, wire, LEDs, switches, soldering iron, tools.

Gas soldering irons are shit, just BTW.

I figured I’d be lazy about it all and buy a cheap plastic box. I was already half guessing about the electrical side of all this; no reason to pretend I know anything about wood or metal crafting. holes were drilled:

I went with the "drill small and make the hole gradually bigger til it fits" method.

Then switches and the first of a few LEDs were placed in the box.

Easy.

It was at this point I gave up taking photos at every step; one because I am really shit at soldering. Also, I forgot. So after many burns, cutting, beer, this happened:

Mmm, sciencish.

There was much exitement in the air as I held the button in my hand. Laughing not so much maniacly as giggling creeply, I flipped on the switch. The little red light lit up. My finger pressed down on the button and…

…nothing. Well not nothing. The world’s tiniest puff of smoke. Yes, I’m prepared to make this call. Not even a spark. I have box with a light on it.

...

Since doing this I’ve done what any normal person does in the name of science: I broke something to see how it works. RIP BBQ lighter, because its pretty much what I was trying to achieve, but on a much grander scale.

Another trip to Jaycar ensues.

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Ozzy looks for a spark.