Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uflorida!haven!adm!cmcl2!phri!dasys1!gts
From: gts@dasys1.UUCP (G. T. Samson)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Help me build a "Static Simulator"?
Keywords: static shock
Message-ID: <8724@dasys1.UUCP>
Date: 15 Feb 89 21:47:13 GMT
Reply-To: dasys1!gts@masa.com (G. T. Samson)
Distribution: na
Organization: MicroWizardry's Haven
Lines: 30

Hi there... I'm looking for ideas about an electronics project that
I want to toss together.

Basically, what I want to do is build a circuit that simulates the
"zap", or spark, you get when you drag your sock-clad feet around
on a carpeted floor in the wintertime, then touch something that's
grounded.  Unfortunately, the only thing I know about the "zap" is
that it's a very high-voltage, low-current thing.

How would I build this?  And would there be any way to make the voltage
and/or current produced adjustable?  Could I drive it off a small battery,
i.e., 9v or AA/AAA?

My (vastly untrained and uninformed) thought was to build something that
charged a (variable?) capacitor off a battery, and made the voltage
across the capacitor dischargeable at the press of a switch across a
couple of (bare-wire?) terminals.  This would require some time to fully
(re)charge the capacitor after each use... I think.  Is this a reasonable
idea?  (I know it's nothing like a plan. 8-) )

Please E-MAIL any answers... I'm sure this group doesn't need a flood.
If there's sufficient interest in the subject, I'll summarize plans,
hints/tips, ideas, etc. back to sci.electronics.

All replies greatly appreciated!
-- 
Name: Gregory T. Samson
AKA:  The Evil MicroWizard [and once An Insane Man]
Nets: dasys1!gts@masa.com [NOT gts@prep.AI.MIT.EDU!] ...!cmcl2!phri!dasys1!gts
Quote:  "You've made my day, and now you have to sleep in it." - TMBG