Uploaded September 2012 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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I make a loud speaker for a clock radio using a piezoelectric crystal. Actually I experiment with a variety of piezo crystals. That includes a piezoelectric igniter crystal from a BBQ lighter and a homemade/DIY rochelle salt piezoelectric crystal. I also try out a piezo buzzer from Radio Shack and also a crystal earpiece normally used with a crystal radio. To increase the voltage coming from the radio I first try stepping it up using a doorbell transformer and then I use a microwave oven transformer.

To see my follow-up video "Piezoelectric speaker - small crystals/window as speaker" for a demonstration using a smaller crystal and using a window as a speaker, click here:
youtu.be/b4vr1aE0zzw

For a video on how to get a piezoelectric igniter crystal from a BBQ lighter, see:
youtu.be/oegbv-1cKCA

For getting an igniter crystal from a hand lighter, see:
youtu.be/DAyM8Iet1O8

For how to make a rochelle salt piezoelectric crystal using stuff from your kitchen, see:
youtu.be/E1Ct3VUWvhQ

For showing how to light an LED using a piezo crystal from a gift card, see:
youtu.be/laSQ6yd7jaE

For using a crystal earpiece or a piezo buzzer with a crystal radio, see:
youtu.be/HZZmKZJrIW0

And lastly, see the piezoelectricity section of my website:
rimstar.org/materials/index.htm#PIEZO

To follow me on Twitter:
twitter.com/#!/RimStarz

rimstar.org