Laser Cigarette Lighter?

Tech_Junkie · Jan 9, 2009

Is a laser powered cigarette lighter do-able, and how? It would have to be eye proof and light the cigarette in a reasonable amount of time (5 seconds maybe?). And what would be the best color to use.

Or is this just a way to increase the chance of getting cancer? :-?

Th0ughts · Jan 9, 2009

You know, I was thinking of this a few days ago :3.

However, not only would it cost a lot for the modules (I'm thinking green, others feel free to speak up), it would be rather bulky. I'd rather use my Zippo.

el-taco · Jan 9, 2009

It would not be eye proof, not at all.

also with the power required to light a cigarette you would have a very high chance of wrecking your eyes

SuicideKing · Jan 9, 2009

A number of years ago, I remember they were selling a lighter that had a laser in it. This was back when the "Jet" type lighters were first becoming popular.

The red laser didn't actually light the cigarette, it was positioned inside the lighter, so when the jet flame was activated, the beam shined up through the flame, creating a light show type of effect.

If you could find one of those old lighters, it might be easy to replace the stock diode with a more powerful one and squeeze in more batteries. -It would be sort of a ready made host.

Also, if you're not completely married to using a laser, I once played with the idea of taking the insert from one of my Zippo fluid lighters and replacing the insides with a small battery and a glow plug from a radio controlled airplane engine. This would turn the fluid burning Zippo into a smaller, battery operated version of a car's cigarette lighter.

Tech_Junkie · Jan 9, 2009

Th0ughts said:
You know, I was thinking of this a few days ago :3.

However, not only would it cost a lot for the modules (I'm thinking green, others feel free to speak up), it would be rather bulky. I'd rather use my Zippo.

I would think with all the tiny burning lasers sold on this board it would be easy to slip it in a zippo sized host. And how much is it worth to have the coolest lighter on the planet?

What do you think the minimum mW setting be for it to work. I've also read a pulse beam would work with a lower mW.

iewed · Jan 9, 2009

It seems like a 250-300mW 650mn (Red) laser would do just fine. Since it would only be on for a short amount of time you wouldn't need a lot of heatsinking (But a small amount is recommended). Just have a nice close focal point and it should light up within seconds.

Benm · Jan 9, 2009

It is doable with around 200 mW, but not very convenient... takes some careful positioning and 10 seconds of toasting before inhaling to actually work. I'd reckon at least a full watt of power is required to make it as convenient as a lighter.

Safety is a problem though, a cig in your mouth is too close to your eyes for comfort, and using it as a casual lighter without eye protection is an accident waiting to happen if you ask me. It's a cool trick to do, but by no means a consumer item!

lasersbee · Jan 9, 2009

Benm said:
Safety is a problem though, a cig in your mouth is too close to your eyes for comfort, and using it as a casual lighter without eye protection is an accident waiting to happen if you ask me. It's a cool trick to do, but by no means a consumer item!

Safety wise.............

Not to mention... Lung Cancer..... :

cexshun · Jan 9, 2009

If I use my ~250mw red, I can scorch the tobacco inside the end of a cigarette and smell it burning. Not enough to light it though. I refuse to put the cig in my mouth when lighting with a laser, but I imagine with me puffing while lasing, it would light right up.

Tech_Junkie · Jan 9, 2009

I actually have a design that will eliminate all safety issues. I'm just reluctant to post it before I have a prototype in hand. I need to save up some money for parts. I think you all will be impressed. It may even take off in the commercial market. You never know...

xJumper · Jan 9, 2009

Ok I don't see much common sense being used here. Powerful enough to light a cigarette but eye friendly?

Try sticking a Bic to your eye and see if its very eye friendly.... If it can burn paper and tobacco what's stopping it from burning your eyes out?

No really, not trying to be rude but that was pretty silly.

For the amount of time in green light, even a 500mW Portable that's almost as large as a 6 D cell Maglight takes more than 5 seconds to light a cigarette and also takes more than 5K of cash.

It would at least take a watt of power, the easiest and cheapest would be red laser diodes although I don't think you can push em that far, but as for the best wavelength or color for burning would be around blue/violet witch would be very expensive.

Razako · Jan 9, 2009

IMO a design using 2-3 red diodes all focused on the cig would work best. 3 red diodes putting out 250mwx3=750mw should easily light a sig if you can focus them all properly. The real problem is how to make it eye safe. If you completely block off the 'lighting area' so none of the laser light can escape then what's the point of a laser lighter? Alternatively you could put in a window with blue plastic to attenuate the red light while still letting people see the action.

RA_pierce · Jan 9, 2009

Why does it have to be visible?
How about 400mW-1W of 808nm? :-?

It would light reasonably well and it would be cheap. The only thing that would make it difficult would be cramming the batteries into a lighter. It may be best to stick it in something other than a zippo lighter, because heatsinking is necessary- along with a driver.

500mW 808 diodes are pretty cheap. And they burn paper well enough.

http://cgi.ebay.com/500mw-808nm-las...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

http://cgi.ebay.com/1000mw-808nm-la...6873516QQihZ003QQcategoryZ53141QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/2000mw-808nm-la...0189885QQihZ004QQcategoryZ53141QQcmdZViewItem

You just need to make it so that the beam does not exit toward your face or wear safety goggles.

It's not very practical, but it would be cool as a gadget to show off to your friends every once in a while.
If I smoked I would make one.

As long as you can manage to build it in a fashion that keeps the members here from whining about permanent eye damage it seems like a neat project.

Tech_Junkie · Jan 9, 2009

xJumper said:
Ok I don't see much common sense being used here. Powerful enough to light a cigarette but eye friendly?

Try sticking a Bic to your eye and see if its very eye friendly.... If it can burn paper and tobacco what's stopping it from burning your eyes out?

No really, not trying to be rude but that was pretty silly.

For the amount of time in green light, even a 500mW Portable that's almost as large as a 6 D cell Maglight takes more than 5 seconds to light a cigarette and also takes more than 5K of cash.

It would at least take a watt of power, the easiest and cheapest would be red laser diodes although I don't think you can push em that far, but as for the best wavelength or color for burning would be around blue/violet witch would be very expensive.

LOL Silly??? Read the posts above. We are so quick to judge what we don't understand. You have not even seen the design yet. Just because you don't see a way doesn't mean there isn't. I'm not trying to be rude but your close minded vibes are bringing me down. This is a thread on how we could do it, not why we shouldnt.

;D ;D ;D

Alternatively you could put in a window with blue plastic to attenuate the red light while still letting people see the action.

Exactly!!! Now we are thinking outside the box. You are a true visionary.

A filtered window on 3 sides I was thinking, and a tube to insert the cigarette into the beam at a 45 degree angle. No harmful light escaping at all.

xJumper · Jan 9, 2009

Exactly!!! Now we are thinking outside the box. You are a true visionary. A filtered window on 3 sides I was thinking, and a tube to insert the cigarette into the beam at a 45 degree angle. No harmful light escaping at all.

Yea if you plan on using your laser "lighter" once or twice before the pigments would degrade then you would have to make another one over and over again. Unless you use some kind of solid barrier then it would only make it even less piratical and if you did use say sheet metal or other materials to block out light completely the whole coolness factor has gone out the door.

It's nice when people think outside the box but the last thing I want is a headline in the local Chronicle saying "Teen blinds half a dozen of his friends with DIY laser cigarette lighter project!" Which I could care less of but the sentences that follow saying "High powered lasers should be banned across the state!" is what will bother me.

Tech_Junkie · Jan 9, 2009

xJumper said:
It's nice when people think outside the box but the last thing I want is a headline in the local Chronicle saying "Teen blinds half a dozen of his friends with DIY laser cigarette lighter project!"

Click to expand...

You could say that about every DYI laser project on this forum.

Laser Cigarette Lighter?

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