How To: 'SUPERCHARGE' an electric fly swatter to 17k+ volts!

In this video I show you how to slap a supercharger on a electric fly swatter.
eBay High voltage module: tinyurl.com/zpl...
eBay 18650 battery clip: tinyurl.com/hgu...
eBay 12mm switch: tinyurl.com/j7n...
Information provided in this video is for educational purposes only.
If you attempt to recreate/replicate anything you’ve seen in this Or any other video, you’re doing so at your own risk.
Schematix
Thanks to NCS for the music!
Different Heaven - Far Away • Different Heaven - Far...
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[@unclezeds]

I made one of these a few years back. I found that removing one of the outer mesh panels completely and repositioning the middle one to the outer position works extremely well. The zaps are across the mesh all over the racquet not inside the frame. It’s an easy mod and one I know you will love.

[@rikdol]

And connect both lead to their own mesh. I connected only the outer meshes and left the third one in between. It’ll always find the path of least resistance and that’s usually an insect. :)

[@unclezeds]

@@rikdol they work incredibly well against wasps too

[@tjet455]

That makes sense, but the center screen has a smaller mesh then the 2 outers. I guess when you do this mod, the racket would need to be used in a directional manner. You want the bigger mesh on the front part to allow the bugs in as you swing. The racket with only 2 screens may make it more dangerous if you grab the business end.

[@unclezeds]

@@tjet455 everything you say is 100% correct including the grabbing the wrong end by mistake. This mistake will usually only happen once though.

[@technobear6155]

heck n good info brotha thank you

[@rayaline1407]

I came to find weaponry against the murder hornets!

[@Hanmaat]

Did it work?

[@jacobthemaster66]

@@Hanmaat Nah they zapped themselves and the murder hornets got them

[@wassamattau5787]

Tarantulas, only effective weapons against them... or, an incubator for baby wasps, depending upon who wins? Anyway, if you put enough tarantulas all over your home that will surely be adequate.

[@THEL05]

A regular swatter works well. That’s all about the swing…

[@seek3n]

Omg me too! The one I have just pisses them off and starts to zoom around attacking everything

[@desertroad4378]

I have one of these zapper fly swats, it's even the same colour. I love it when the poor fly explodes with a loud crack. I might do this modification just for fun, the end result looks awesome.

[@deepVAroots]

I had a couple high voltage inverters laying around so I modded mine exactly the same way. Very impressive!! Mine still worked fine on 2 "D" batteries.

[@HerrinSchadenfreude]

DEE?

[@Anontesla]

Ordered my upgrade part today thank you ps you can get a lot of the 18650 batteries out of old laptop battery’s even if they go bad, it’s usually only one or two and there’s usually 4-8 in each battery pack even if they are fully dead use one good charges one to jump start the other ones there’s videos on KZbin about how to do it and revive dead lithium ion batteries great video thank you !!!

[@pasgaut2163]

Bro I laughed so hard when you smoked the flyé 😂😂😂😂

[@yeska7192]

Thanks I found it not only entertaining but helpful as I am in the process of using one of those transformers for making a static grass applicator thanks

[@coondogtheman]

I would have lots of fun with that modified zapper. I have a dozen of these zappers and sometimes I use my arc lighter to fry the big bugs. it cooks them in maybe 20 seconds. You should make videos of you frying bugs with that zapper and yes it does stink.

[@ffkarle]

There's a way to modify one of those electronic fly swatters without doing quite as much modifying. I was able to keep the original AA battery compartment because there is a 3.7vdc battery in a AA form factor. What that fly swatter does now is awesome and somewhat scary. My hat is off to this guy for inspiring me to do my modification. Thank you @Schematix for your inspiration!!! BTW most American firefighters has a 5 year old self that pops up quite often!! Trust me!!!😜😜🤣🤣🤣

[@kenciphery690]

A 9volt battery also fits into a double AA compartment 😂

[@ffkarle]

@@kenciphery690 , a 9vdc battery doesn't have anywhere near the amperage needed to power the voltage increaser. The best you could expect is up to 1.2 Ah on a lithium rechargeable 9v. The 2 Li-ion 3.7v AA size are 1Ah each for a total of 2Ah. It's the amps not the voltage that matters most.

[@Steamrick]

Using the original circuit, the modification to make is a much bigger capacitor. The one seen on this fly swatter is positively anemic. If you just up the input voltage carelessly, you'll fry the circuitry real fast if it's insufficiently insulated at any point - or even get to the point where the swatter will discharge itself once it builds up enough voltage, without an insect involved.

[@davelowets]

Removing the output resistor/shunt that is across the output capacitor and the grids is a worthy upgrade, and SIMPLE to do. You can simply clip it off the board with a side cutters, and wah-lah, instantly more power. Be CAREFUL though, as the grids will now store a wallop for a very LONG time without the button being pressed, and it can zap you days/weeks later if you touch it without pressing the button. The output resistor/shunt does double duty by limiting the high-voltage developed by the circuit, AND it drained power out of the output capacitor very quickly once the button is released, and made it so that you wouldn't get zapped if you touched the grids with the power off. Putting ONE 3.2volt 14500 LiFe cell, and one DUMMY cell/spacer, in the AA battery compartment, and doing the resistor/shunt delete, WILL make quite an improvement in output power and it'll now blow Hornets to pieces in one zap. 👍 Just DON'T touch the grid.... 😈

[@daviddalal8383]

I assume you mean the 14500 type battery which has the same size as the AA battery. I understand that you put them in a parallel connection and not in series?@@ffkarle

[@jeffmee763]

Hi good fun try using two 14500 3.7v will fit in box go for it.

[@aefbNone]

grand, you keep this easy, for all to understand

[@schmarrenheimer80]

Idea for another project found, thanks! And nice of you to leave your mistake in, these moments are always helpful.

[@sickbastd]

A very long time ago I worked for a magnetics company that produced a wide variety of custom and specialized transformers. Everything from toroidal power supplies for the Apollo mission backpacks to monster transformer for the USS Enterprise. Anyway a couple of us got the idea to make the ultimate fly zapper and used a massive transformer fed by a 400 cycle generator. The feed wires we housed in an acrylic cage we used for hi-potting dangerous voltages and baited it with some lunch meat. It wasn't necessary for the flies to touch the wired as long as they flew between the wires. Made a very audible and satisfying sound, kind of a zit-snap-crackle. Did you wreak havoc at your high school?

[@Schematix]

Wow! I sure wish I was there to see that! It would have been a fly's worst nightmare I'm sure

[@sickbastd]

It's amazing the weirdness that results from boredom.

[@candisbrendel7396]

Sick Bastd I was on the USS INDEPENDENCE CV62 we were berthed right next to her ( USS ENTERPRISE) at the Virginia naval base. wow, was that ship big, Indy was almost as big. anyway WHAT HAPPENED to the FLY KILLER machine? you guys sell it? Old One Legged Joseph T

[@candisbrendel7396]

Schematix why not use a pp3 battery?? that way you could have dropped it right in? Just asking Old One Legged Joseph T

[@davelowets]

Absolutely I wreaked havoc in high-school!!.... AND forever after still.... My favorite one back then was to charge up an old breaker points condenser to a high voltage, and then toss it to someone to catch. If they somehow managed to catch it without touching the canister AND the end of the wire simultaneously, the person ALWAYS ended up fidgeting with it until they did, and ended up zapping themselves. I can remember doing this to the shop teacher once as i walked past his desk, and he caught it, but didn't end up touching the end of the wire... My buddies and I intently watched as he played with it, rolled it around in his hand, and THEN, he grasped the wire by the base of the canister, and started slowly running his fingers down the wire, straightening it as he went, and when he reached the terminal at the end of the wire, BOOM⚡️ he got nailed, and inadvertently tossed it.... I thought we were in deep shit, and he was gonna be PISSED, but he laughed and told us "Good one, guys..." I kind of figured that being a shop teacher, he would have SURELY knew all about that one, but he didn't, or else maybe he didn't think that WE knew about it... 😂 Good times, good times... 👍

[@bastienlevesque6944]

Thank you soo much, i have been very bored in quarantine and this is a project i have always wanted to do

[@jackfntwist]

Thanks for the video and the links. Really thorough and looks like it works. Would have liked to see a closer up of how you soldered all the wires (and which ones), as that's the stuff that's not as common knowledge. But great.

[@_L0KI.]

you could have just added a larger capacitor in parallel. that would have given each zap more power but wouldn't have increased the likelihood of it self discharging.

[@lukeharris1425]

What size capacitor would you recommend?

[@maxhult830]

@@lukeharris1425 I went with 2000v 470nf... Gave a good spark. I then replaced the battery dep. with a 9v battery instead, and holy shit! Only thing is I don't think the transformator can really handle it for too long, after holding the button about 1 sec it starts sparking inside the handle, which feels a bit so and so... But if you've cut the drainage resistor, you can just release the button when it starts sparking inside, it still holds the charge, so no problem.

[@rosebarnes9625]

@@maxhult830 so 4 AAAs sounds like a sweet spot.... 😁

[@maxhult830]

@@rosebarnes9625 Yeah, but a 9v battery is the same size as 2 AA, so it fits perfectly in the battery compartment, without having to modify that part TOO much... So, you can't really see that it's modded from the outside :)

[@rosebarnes9625]

@@maxhult830 I'd rather have an optimized and reliable Frankenstein than a nice looking super hot device that lasts a week before burning it's self out.... if you prefer the hot shot toy that looks nice, the 9v is for you, a reliable tool is my objective. "to each his own" 😁

[@uktay001]

Great video mate I adapted mine and put 2 x 0.47 microfarad capacitors in it and it's very effective but I will now try this as my next project. :)

[@georgedargoltz5118]

Here is a challenge.... convert one of these zappers into a solar powered small electric fence to keep squirrels away from bird feeders. Love to see it.

[@wasserball]

I have one that operates with 2 AA battery. So, I tried using a 9 volt battery that is used in those smoke alarm. It fits, but you need a wad of aluminum to make contact at the + terminal. 9 volts doesn't fry the electronics, but I don't energize the circuit for too long. Smoke warps!

[@asdasd_94]

Pretty neat! Just finished mine with the same setup. Managed to fit the battery stuff inside the housing though after a bit of modifying :D

[@brunetton]

Thanks, I searched a while to find an intelligent and clear video of this type; with pieces links. Perfect !

[@ericlogos9568]

Stun guns are illegal in some places, so get a remote for an old vcr and put it in that.

[@machfiver753]

erm... yeah because as long as you disguise your illegal stun-gun they are legal again.

[@themossbackman]

I have some electric fly swatters that use two D cell batteries and I put in one 26650 battery and a spring with copper pennies connected by copper wire on each end( two 26650 batteries are just too long for the housing). It makes some big sparks! I will use the transformer in your excellent video to make an electric mouse fryer.....Just be careful dude I think I heard some ALIENS talking in parts of your video:)

[@nathanoosterhuis6232]

they might be coming for your ray gun (fly swatter) lock and load

[@kenciphery690]

I bought one advertising 4000v from two AA batteries (3v)....this is a factor of 1333.3333X Application of this to a standard 9v means the step up transformer now puts out 11,999.9v.....and only requires that you solder the spring from the base onto the top for 2 springs, after that the 9v battery actually fits in the double AA Holdrege with minor dremel work.

[@cadmiumbop]

your proooooooooooooject is very good. Great video.

[@0504328]

I believe it is way practical if you could make a module to charge the 3.7v battery so you don't need to remove it every time it needs to be charge.

[@matejhlaca5171]

micro usb charging and battery protection board TP4056 does good the job. The board is so small that you can hide it inside.

[@tjet455]

So it looks like the screens are now too close, and when you push the button, the boosted energy is able to jump the gap. Maybe a smaller transformer would keep it from making the jump, but still pack a punch when the bug gets inside and makes contact.

[@bigjay875]

Thanks for the print to improve my ball less fly zapper!

[@jrbenvallejo2022]

Sir I enjoyed your video so much I caught myself watching it three time for giggles

[@4nciite]

Someone used two 4.2v batteries without modifying anything else and got the same results, I think using a 9v battery with the original capacitor would probably work just as well.

[@talonjuel9486]

Where?! What was the video called I'd love to see this video

[@rextransformation7418]

I have once used a 9V battery but after a little while it stopped working. Probably with three 1.5V (4.5V) it might work the same instead of jumping from the initial 3V to 9V as the internal default circuitry is made to withstand 3V.

[@billcosbyeatsbabies9947]

make a "modified" door handle, or bike seat, solitary can of beer, or toilet seat. Pretty much modify something people love to touch that you tell them not to.

[@d.b.6638]

Mercedes Benz good ornament lol

[@carltaylor1497]

I know this is pretty old. But curious how this would work with a 9-volt battery rather than the bulky 18650 battery? Might even be able to fit the battery into the existing battery socket on the handle? Maybe need a lower transformer though?

[@STARDRIVE]

Indeed, a 9 Volt fits perfectly. I dismantled a second depleted 9V for the terminals. I needed to beef up a few components on the factory circuit board to coop with the higher voltage, and the swatter ended up far more potent. 17kV is overkill; we see the swatter in the vid discharge without a fly even being present. You´re asking the right questions.

[@JohnnyJello]

I just found my next project! MWAHAHAHAA!!!

[@iwantsushant]

😂😂😂

[@HDXFH]

I did one like this too, replaced the 2 AA's with an 18650 cell and charger module, added extra cap abd now it blows flies to bits

[@Dreamerviews]

What cap did you add?

[@wecole]

Muhahaha...."Don't maliciously hold down the button for long until your fly is BBQ'd..."

[@joeestes8114]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@Jschmidy77]

You are my hero! Thank You for this video!

[@jakegorman7121]

I bought one of those at harbor freight and all I did was through an 18650 battery in mine with no other mods and it smokes flies instantly and sounds like a firecracker going off

[@rpandocchi]

Is there any particular way you solder the wires for the cage to the generator? Meaning does any color wire connect to any end of the generator that is the opposite side of the button?

[@Schematix]

nope doesn't matter what way the wires are connected

[@jeffhogancamp5379]

I would love to see a lightsaber Bug zapper. How cool would that be?..

[@dexterm6320]

First. Great video but the small fact that you have to order things too complete the project was a downer. I kind of think that should be inserted in the title somehow... like (pre-order project)

[@Steamrick]

I'll admit that I don't see the point in using a voltage high enough that the spark will jump through the air gap. The circuit shouldn't close until there's an insect in the middle. If you want to add power, get a bigger capacitor.

[@mrphucyoo8281]

This is one of those channels they warn parents about!!!

[@Joe.Rogan.]

epic shirt.

[@dalenassar9152]

At about 3:40 you show how you can't fit a 3.7V (18650) battery into the AA holder. However, if you used the ICR14500 3.7v battery, it will fit perfectly, as it is the same size of the standard AA battery--you can simply short the terminals for the 2nd AA battery.

[@sayadiyeojhenries.815]

Or make it parallel :)

[@dennis451]

Great show, how about taking that circuit , add a sensor for the on/off switch, enclose it, and make a RAT ZAPPER?

[@dalenassar9152]

Hi, I enjoyed this video, AND it gave me ideas for other apps. BTW, what is that cylindrical copper-colored thing in the background?

[@SageRonin]

Why not fit the battery holder inside the battery compartment after a few modifications!

[@MarkusWITH_a_k]

Always making something entertaining

[@mst3kpimp]

Cristopher Cross has really found his calling!

[@coondogtheman]

I'm going to do this with the guts from a broken arc lighter and an 18650 cell. Might even wire in a small power bank so if you wanted to you could charge your phone with your bug zapper.

[@pughums]

1:19 - video in corner is not "clickable" - I searched your channel for said video and could not find it. Can you post the link?

[@iUmarFarooqi]

Will it not fry the circuit? 17k volts.

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

What about simply replacing the existing batteries with a 9v alkaline?

[@karljay7473]

I want to know if you can zap smaller insects by increasing the voltage. One problem is getting those small flying things, they aren't big enough to make a connection, so if you increase the voltage, shouldn't it zap smaller insects? One other thing I want to do is make the mesh about 50% bigger and make it about 1' longer, then balance the whole thing by putting the battery down lower so you can swing it faster.

[@kylecunns]

Have you ever tried playing tennis with that thing

[@rpandocchi]

What gauge wire are you using connecting the cage to the generator? Also thanks for getting back to me on this, I'm very excited about doing this project.

[@Schematix]

The current is so low that pretty much any light duty wire should do the job, use good quality insulation as the high voltage will laugh at thinly insulated wire. (No need to look for something specialized, just decent quality)

[@dlk61]

Would be too hard for me to personally modify my Zap-Its, doesn't any company make any of these rackets with higher zaps?

[@TylerTheBassCreator]

Cause its dangerous

[@dioxinvapor1495]

@@TylerTheBassCreator how? just the output on skin or does it explode the battery like those sub ohm vapes used to

[@TT-ii5bu]

how much cost of high voltage transformer?

[@JerseyGirl-mi4vf]

I have an electric fly swatter when I was finished I had a barbeque fly

[@mattriella6776]

that transformer is a Stun Gun module...

[@thomashan4963]

I just switched it to and plugged in my wall socket. It worked very well for a few minutes until the plastic cover melted 😂

[@garrymartin9966]

I would like some clearer photos of the wiring especially the on off button

[@m.v.3754]

Absolutely loved your video man!!! :)

[@xXAlmdudlerXx]

So you basically get a taser racket

[@candisbrendel7396]

why not use a pp3 battery?? that way you could have dropped it right in? Just asking Old One Legged Joseph T

[@Schematix]

The stepup converter requires a decent amount of current a 9v would struggle to deliver. Besides that the converter max input voltage is 6v so its outside the recommended. :)

[@Shishou_Shi]

So, lithium ion cell and a bigger capacitor for maximum pop!

[@betareybill9400]

Actually if you hold down the button on a normal fly swatter with a bug on it they do start to smoke...and stink.

[@MsSlayerful]

Why these come stock using a9 volt??? Wouldn't that work better than AAs?

[@hellbent7062]

What if you use a 9 volt battery instead... Will it make 40,000 volts and fit inside the handle?

[@bling0rb007]

Can I put a cell phone battery instead so I can recharge it? Or is there a better method to make it rechargeable?

[@machfiver753]

I came here to soup up my anemic dollar store stunner tennis racquet because it is good for mosquitos but larger stuff like wasps and such require that you beat them to death with the thing as all the zap seems to do is make me jump and really piss off the wasp no end and trust me they are a hell of a lot harder to hit when you're hopping up and down flailing the thing and knocking every damn thing all over the place in a vain attempt to retreat from the creature buzzing at you with vengence in it's compound eyes and it's pricker will give you multiple burning itches not too disimilar from that one booze soaked and pot smoked night in amsterdam. I didn't need to catch a jail sentence and accidentally set fire to the cat when I miss with your upgrade. swapping out the cap for a bigger one or changing one of the resistors or maybe adding another battery in series is all I was looking for. Thanks though and if the insect ends up more human wise i have that covered via an old 6cylinder cam shaft if'n i want to catch a jail sentence

[@Christian-dq6tz]

Great Work!

[@mattstroker3742]

I did this too, today. Had one such module laying around so I figured to give the good old swatter some more power. I have used the module through my regulated DC power supply numerous times before. Without fail. It was set at 3.75V and 1.5A max. Now, having used it in the swatter, it burned out within a very short time. Looking at other videos on these modules they seem to be able pull quite some amperage, up to the point that I think the very small, hair like wires on the coils within might just get too hot and burn out since the 18650 without regulation will happily provide until it is empty or until it blows itself. So I am wondering how to prevent that. Would a resistor, or a couple of them, do the trick already? Or would something different be better? It's starting to become hotter now and we get quite a lot of larger mosquitoes and wasps over here. Using it as it comes from the store makes the animals visibly suffer for a long time before they die so I would really like to use this enhanced version. They're gone quickly this way. So... Any suggestions you might have are highly appreciated.

[@urbexingTss]

try to connect it only to the middle part and take out the other sides it has the same affect as every fly my swatter touches explodes same with wasps and large mosquitos

[@lukebaehr3851]

Why not use 1 or 2 x 9volt batteries

[@WilcoVerkerk]

Why not a 9 volt battery? it will fit in to the aa battery part.

[@aaronhall9819]

What size battery did u use have u got a link for ebay buddy

[@Schematix]

They are a very common rechargeable lithium battery called an 18650. if you want to buy one I recommend buying a quality name brand 18650 like Samsung or LG.etc Cheap 18650's will promise the world and deliver little to nothing in the way of capacity or performance

[@davelowets]

Simply remove the output resistor/shunt, and use 1 3.2v LiFe 14500 AA cell and one DUMMY cell, instead of 2 AA's in the battery compartment, and it'll then blow Hornets to pieces in one shot. Do NOT use 2 LiFe cells in series, without a dummy cell, or the voltage WILL be too high, and it will blow the transistor and destroy the swatter. IF you remove the output shunt resistor, be CAREFUL to NOT ever touch the grid in the racquet, EVEN if you are not holding the button down, as it will now store a charge for a very long time and it will zap you even if you're not pressing the button. Removing the output shunt resistor allows the circuit to develop a higher voltage and power output, as it is no longer constantly robbing the high voltage as it is developed, and the energy stored in the output capacitor is much higher. Be careful with it...

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Such a cool video

[@jamesh9090]

I just put 9 volt in mine works same

[@JoaoMartins-qc4oh]

Can you out nine volt on a normal circuit?

[@lambo25]

I have The Bug Warrior Supreme and The Jolt Bug Zapper from eBay. they have no mesh. it is the grill style. will your method work on these also?

[@Schematix]

Hi, I don't see why it can't work on those swatters. I believe the bars alternate positive then negative through out the entire grill. Might be a good idea to open one up and see how they are wired. I imagine they have some sort of bus bar inside to connect + & - Should be pretty straightforward.

[@Mirco-tz7nk]

Can you sell me one like this?

[@cberl8242]

Good Video!

[@paulneedham5900]

Parts list please?

[@j.4941]

What's actually the voltage of such a fly swatter (from factory)?

[@josesoto4440]

Going mosquito hunting,thanks man,

[@MARK175601]

Waoww ,, perfect for Giant Asian Hornet !! ⚡⚡⚡😂

[@kellyt5056]

nice job

[@roscoeelcocko1863]

How about using a 9v battery?

[@joelpritchard451]

Can you please do a video of you killing a wasp with this

[@antiswordabuse賈]

17k+ volts is insane!

[@therealityartist9057]

Hahaha brilliant funny i got one of these bug zappers

[@danb2767]

No bleedresistor what I can see. Keep claw fingers away from it.

[@allanjohn9566]

you said "a bbq knife with a good spark on it" what kinda bbq knife you is that. going search it

[@alaxander]

wow friend. sucsess computer. hi batton

[@eaqiie]

My unmodified fly swatter also BBQ's flies and a lot of smoke comes out. So this modification you this seems kind of pointless and underpowered.

[@_quixote]

Now the mosquitoes and flies could die instantly and I can sleep in peace!

[@thomasdoherty6876]

I can't stop laughing at the charred fly lmfao

[@judges69]

LOL that was a good one

[@SethMcConaughey]

Will this kill a cicada?

[@PeteVanDemark]

Voltage is beyond useful. Charged grids boost capacitance and charge just below arc threshold so that when pest bridges gap in grid, charge is dumped through pest killing it. Voltage should be just below arc level at 50% relative humidity or about 4-6kV. Recommend modifying your project-take your racquet head off and replace with PVC pipe of 2-3 feet and two finish nails through cap at end to use on vicious attacking dogs, mountain lions, etc..