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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekecs.UUCP
Path: utzoo!decvax!tektronix!orca!tekecs!jans@stalker.gwd.tek.com (Jan Steinman)
From: jans@stalker.gwd.tek.com (Jan Steinman)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Jacob's Ladders
Message-ID: <7646@tekecs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 17-Sep-86 12:44:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekecs.7646
Posted: Wed Sep 17 12:44:24 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Sep-86 03:06:53 EDT
References: <1249@utastro.UUCP>
Sender: news@tekecs.UUCP
Reply-To: jans@stalker.UUCP (Jan Steinman)
Distribution: na
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 26
Keywords: how to ...

In article <1249@utastro.UUCP> butch@utastro.UUCP (Allan Butcher) writes:
>  Does anybody know how to make a Jacob's Ladder ???  You know, the big
>upright "V" shaped apparatus in the mad scientist's laBORatory that threw
>an arc of lightning up its sides.   I know that it takes a lot of voltage,
>but what else, and how ???

Call up local heat&air installers -- especially those who specialize
in gas conversions.  Ask them if they have any old oil furnace
ignition transformers as scrap that they'd be willing to part with
real cheap.

The transformer will have two ceramic-insulated screw connections
about 1 1/2" apart, and other connections (usually behind a small
panel) for 117 VAC.  Get 2-3 feet of bare 12-18 gauge (it must be
self-supporting) copper wire.  Cut the wire in half and attach each
half to the HV connections.  Make a sharp bend in the wires at the
connections so that they come within 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of each
other, and widen gradually until they are 3 to 4 inches apart at the
top.

Plug it in and watch the show!  It may take some diddling to get the
spacing right -- remember to unplug it before adjusting!

:::::: Artificial   Intelligence   Machines   ---   Smalltalk   Project ::::::
:::::: Jan Steinman		Box 1000, MS 60-405	(w)503/685-2956 ::::::
:::::: tektronix!tekecs!jans	Wilsonville, OR 97070	(h)503/657-7703 ::::::