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A compact electric lighter built from salvaged electronics and a 3D-printed enclosure. Powered by a recycled vape Li-ion battery, it uses a nichrome heating element to produce an arc-free, windproof flame. Ideal for starting campfires or any situation where a standard lighter falls short. |
- About the Project
- Demo
- Bill of Materials
- CAD Files
- CAD Preview
- Wiring
- Finished Build
- How to Build
- License
- Contributing
I found an old vape discarded on the ground and decided to repurpose its battery and charging module into something more useful. The result is a fully functional electric lighter housed in a custom 3D-printed enclosure.
To use it:
- Charge via the USB-C port on the TP4056 module.
- Press and hold the push button.
- The nichrome heating element glows red-hot : use it to ignite tinder, paper, or anything else.
Watch the demo on YouTube Shorts
| Item | Description | Source | Est. Price (USD) | Purchase Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Li-ion Battery | 3.7 V · 1000 mAh — salvaged from found vape | Salvaged | $4.00 | AliExpress |
| TP4056 USB-C Module | USB-C charging/protection module | Salvaged / AliExpress | $0.50 | AliExpress |
| Heating Element | Nichrome wire salvaged from old toaster | Salvaged | $0.50 | AliExpress |
| Push Button | 12 × 12 mm tactile push button | Salvaged | $0.10 | AliExpress |
| Silicone Wire AWG 22 | Heat-resistant wire — ~30 cm red + black | Salvaged | $0.30 | AliExpress |
| Alligator Clips | For prototyping connections | Salvaged | $0.20 | AliExpress |
| PLA Filament | ~40 g for the enclosure (top + bottom) | Own stock | $0.80 | AliExpress |
| M3 Screws + Inserts | M3 brass heat-set inserts × 4 + matching screws | Salvaged / Own stock | $0.50 | AliExpress |
Total estimated cost: ~$6.91 (when salvaging the electronic components)
All CAD files are available in multiple formats for maximum compatibility.
| Component | Fusion 360 | STEP | STL | 3MF (top) | 3MF (bottom) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full enclosure | CAD/ELECTRIC LIGHTER.f3z |
CAD/ELECTRIC LIGHTER.step |
CAD/ELECTRIC LIGHTER.stl |
3D printing/EL top part.3mf |
3D printing/EL bottom part.3mf |
CAD software used: Autodesk Fusion 360
Schematic files (KiCad):
KiCad schem/ELECTRIC LIGHTER.kicad_sch,KiCad schem/ELECTRIC LIGHTER.net
The circuit is straightforward: the TP4056 module charges the Li-ion battery and provides over-charge/over-discharge protection. A push button connects the battery output directly to the nichrome heating element.
| Wiring Diagram — Overview | Wiring Diagram — Detail |
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The built circuit before enclosing:
- Print the enclosure — Print
EL top part.3mfandEL bottom part.3mfusing PLA. Install the four M3 brass heat-set inserts into the bottom shell with a soldering iron. - Prepare the heating element — Cut a short length of nichrome wire and attach it to two silicone wires using alligator clips or by soldering.
- Wire the electronics — Follow the KiCad schematic: battery → TP4056 module (for charging) → push button → nichrome heating element. Use heat-resistant silicone wire throughout.
- Fit everything into the enclosure — Place the battery, TP4056 module, push button, and heating element assembly inside the bottom shell.
- Close the enclosure — Align the top shell and secure it with four M3 screws into the heat-set inserts.
- Charge and test — Plug in a USB-C cable to charge the battery. Once charged, press and hold the button — the element should glow red within a second.
⚠️ Safety note: The nichrome element reaches very high temperatures instantly. Keep fingers clear of the element when the button is pressed, and never leave it unattended while active.
This project is licensed under the MIT License — see the LICENSE file for details.
Contributions, improvements, and remixes are welcome! Please read the CONTRIBUTING.md guide to get started.
