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Sales Price, direct: $47.⁹⁰

The Schnegger Lighter is a simple, hand-held Nickel-Chromium heating element.

Uses include fire starting, emergency cauterizing, robin egg poaching and more.

There are three main variables in the design of the Schnegger Lighter:

battery size, battery chemistry, and Heating element thickness (gauge).

Battery Size:

Any size between D and AAA can be used, although not with any element size. The smaller batteries require smaller elements.

Battery Chemistry:

Nickel Cadmium batteries are the toughest and most reliable battery, when used properly. The Schnegger Lighter is an application that lends itself to the Ni-Cad battery because of the likelihood of frequent deep discharges, which Ni-Cad batteries require. As long as the battery goes completely dead once every 8 cycles or so, you may use it however you wish, with however thick an element you wish (within limits, of course, let’s be reasonable!)

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are the next generation after Nickel Cadmium batteries because they do not require the occasional deep discharges that Ni-Cads do. Additionally, they found a way to pack a little bit more charge into a given size so, rather than, say, 4 Amp-Hours for a Ni-Cad cell, you get 5 Amp-Hours in a NiMH. All this sounds good except that NiMH batteries have a higher internal resistance which means they can’t power the really heavy loads that Ni-Cads can. NiMH batteries are best suited for the light to medium size heating elements, say from 24 gauge to 18 gauge Ni-Chrome wire.

Heating Element Size:

A reasonable combination is a D size Nickel Metal Hydride battery with an 18 gauge heating element. If a larger element size is needed, a D size Ni-Cad battery with 16 gauge element is recommended. If a really large size is required, 14 gauge may be used.

Construction:

All connections to the heating element are welded to accommodate thermal expansion during use. Highly stranded copper braid is used for the ground connection down to the bottom of the battery.

Use:

A firm grip and press on the copper braid to the battery’s negative terminal is essential to avoid heating under your finger. Recommended method is to hold the Schnegger upside down like a hairspray can (in either hand) and press the copper braid into the terminal with your index finger. Pre-dress the negative terminal with sand paper if necessary to ensure a clean surface. Pressing hard, grind the copper braid into the terminal to break through the microscopic layer of corrosion that forms even within minutes after each use. Maintain a firm press on the braid until the moment you decide to shut it off, then release completely. Never try to have it on part way, as 50% of the heat will be generated at the braid under your finger, potentially causing severe burns. After each use, bend the copper braid back on itself and secure it with a rubber band. If the braid should accidentally contact the battery’s negative terminal while the lighter is in your pocket, it will turn on and ignite your clothing so don’t let that happen. Avoid mechanical stress on the heating element and it’s connection to the copper braid. Should this connection break, send it to Timberline, postage paid and we will fix it and send it back to you.

Use only approved charger(s). Failure to do so can cause battery overheating. If you can’t hold it in your hand comfortably, it’s too hot. Charging should be discontinued when the battery begins to get warm. Always use the included charger, which measures the battery temperature and shuts off the charge at just the right moment. Any further can “burn off” battery electrolyte, reducing it’s storage capacity. Batteries are not warrantied.

Care and Maintenance:

After repeated uses, the top of the battery tends to get oily from the condensed vapors emitted from the subject material. This inevitably occurs because the battery is much cooler than the dew-point of these vapors. Clean these residues with a 2 square inch piece of paper towel dampened with isopropyl or ethyl alcohol. Repeat with a fresh damp towel until the surfaces are shiny and not sticky. A slightly larger piece of towel dampened with alcohol can clean the body of the battery, negative terminal at the bottom and the last two inches of copper braid, where it contacts the bottom of the battery. Avoid contact while cleaning with alcohol as this can cause ignition of the alcohol vapors and, again, severe burns.

This is not a toy. Be careful or you will get severe burns.

Have fun!

page last updated on 2/12/2004 2:26 PM