Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ncar!noao!asuvax!mcdphx!xroads!wiz
From: wiz@xroads.UUCP (Mike Carter)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Help me build a "Static Simulator"?
Summary: Static or H.V ?
Keywords: static shock
Message-ID: <577@xroads.UUCP>
Date: 21 Feb 89 06:25:18 GMT
References: <8724@dasys1.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Crossroads, Phoenix, Az.
Lines: 48

In article <8724@dasys1.UUCP>, gts@dasys1.UUCP (G. T. Samson) writes:
> 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.
> 
> 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-) )
> 
> 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
 
Greg; If you're indeed interested in High Voltage experiments I suggest
firstly obtaining a book about TESLA coils from your local library.
What its appears you wanted is a STATIC generator, or Van De Gram Generator.
Such devices are very DANGEROUS. It's not the actual shock that could kill
you, it's your reaction to the jolt. High Static discharges can also pose
a health hazzard. A Van De Graff Generator is nothing to stick your finger
into. 
There are other projects you could use. Jacob's ladders are easily contructed
using two wire coat hangers and an old neon tube transformer.
I would highly advise against building one though..even very, very careful
folks like myself get **ZAPPED** enough times through the years to know
better than to ->play-< with high voltage.
I've built a few dangerous tesla coils before and have been fortunate only
to have been rendered unconcious by them for brief periods. The old
club I belonged to made a very LARGE Tesla coil and used it a few times. The
results to nearby computer equipment was costly.
 
If you want a cheap way out, I suggest buying a stun-gun from your local
"self-protection" outfit. Those are minature Tesla coils....far safer than
the 20 Million volt jobs. Those will kill you.
ve heared o few horror stories about pilots getting thrown accross the
blacktop before static bleeders. They often died.
High voltage is not a toy...just beware.
 
		-Mike
-- 
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= Mike Carter  N7GYX, Phoenix AZ| Q: Why did the Chicken cross the road  ?  =
= hplabs!hp-sdd!crash!xroads!wiz| A: To ESCape the Main Menu .              =
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