OneEyeCharlie Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 Wondering if anyone here has made a Jacob's Ladder? Thinking about rigging one up for Halloween.
FrankRizzo Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 Wondering if anyone here has made a Jacob's Ladder? Thinking about rigging one up for Halloween. I've made a few from neon sign transformers of various types. They shouldn't be run for more than a few seconds unless inside a Faraday cage though, as they generate broad-spectrum EMF which will disrupt your neighbor's TV and radio reception. Big fines from the FCC if they narrow it down to your address.
NightHawkInLight Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 I've made a few from neon sign transformers of various types. They shouldn't be run for more than a few seconds unless inside a Faraday cage though, as they generate broad-spectrum EMF which will disrupt your neighbor's TV and radio reception. Big fines from the FCC if they narrow it down to your address.Haha most excellent...The possibilities are endless... Seriously, that's pretty cool. There's gotta be some good use for a signal disruptor such as that. I can't think of a good use within the confines of the law...But still, it's got it's place
TheEskimo Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 Lawl...I wonder if they work for cell phones? Put one in my locker, and watch everyone freak out when they can't get service
Mumbles Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 I think they'd catch on when they saw the big orange extension cord sticking out the bottom of your locker.
scarbelly Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 I actually made one with a friend for my physics teacher last year, she needed extra credit in Chemistry, and asked if I (being the nerd that I am) would help her make a tesla coil. We didn't have much time, so we made a Jacob's ladder instead. They're very simple to make. And definitely very cool. Too bad they don't serve a real purpose.
TheEskimo Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 Didn't know such things were part of chemistry Anyways...here's my random thread. When I graduated from 8th grade, I was taking flying lessons. I got up to about 22 hours in a Cessna 152. Then my instructor died from lung cancer ( he was in Vietnam, and got Agent Orange on him, and he smoked a lot.) Anyways, some friends thought they had a great gift for me: a drogue 'chute. Made in 1973, or so the labe lsays. In very good condition. Anybody want it? I also found a new instructor, SO I'm going for my license within the next year...maybe I'll solo when I get my car license.Here are some pics:
scarbelly Posted September 29, 2009 Posted September 29, 2009 haha guess they're not. But what could you do thats more chemistry related as a long lasting chemistry extra credit project... there's not much... Random: I somewhat hate being on the west coast for the sole reason that the sun sets last for me and that when I'm just getting ready to use the forum, everyone else is already asleep. Except for like the eastern hemisphere... but the number of people awake when i go to bed is low, and it is not nearly nighttime (read "forum using time") for them yet.
Swede Posted September 29, 2009 Posted September 29, 2009 On the Jacob's ladder thing... I can't help with the JL, but I think there used to be a device that some theaters installed that would completely shut down cell phone service inside their building. Then, someone sued because they missed an emergency call, and the devices were outlawed. Just a vague memory. One of my favorite school devices was a wimshurst machine, kind of a poor-mans Tesla coil. It would deliver a vicious static spark through a dozen people... loads of fun and easy to make.
scarbelly Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 (edited) So i managed to get a motor finally today. I saw that it was rated at 230 volts, but figured it wouldn't be a big deal, that I could get a transformer or something. I would just call the guy and ask him, but it just doesn't seem right to me... It's a 1/2 HP motor, 1725 rpm, practically brand new and I got it for 20 bucks. My parents are saying I should ask for a new motor, but I feel like the transformer idea might work. The motor (being a half horsepower) should run off of 373 watts. The step up transformers I've seen so far seem mostly like they are rated at around 500 watts. Does anyone see any problems in doing this? I just really don't want to have to turn down the opportunity for such a great deal... EDIT: Actually, looking deeper, I see transformers for slightly more rated at a higher wattage. And the amperage should not be near enough to blow the circuit breakers at my house... (~ 3 Amps should be needed.) Edited September 30, 2009 by scarbelly
Swede Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 Scarbelly, pretty much all houses in the US have 240 VAC available. Stuff like ovens, air conditioners, etc run on 240V. Most garages have 240V outlets, and they can be recognized because one of the prongs is 90 degrees to normal, making a "T" shape. It would be best to have a friend who really knows what's going on before you attempt it, but household wiring can easily be hacked to deliver 240V. You can even add a dedicated 240 circuit and a long extension cord to power a ball mill. Basically, it'll have one of those double-ganged circuit breakers, and the cable will have an additional conductor, usually red, but sometimes they make do with normal wiring. A regular 120V line has: black (HOT, 120V measured wrt ground)white (NEUTRAL, return, 0V wrt ground)bare/green (Ground, safety) 240V sometimes has the same as the above, except the white is used as a second HOT line. If you measure the voltage between the WHITE and ground, it'll be 120V where it would be normally zero. A voltmeter across the two hot lines will measure 240VAC. A better, modern 120/240V wiring has black (hot), red (hot), white (neutral), and ground. If you haven't messed with this stuff, find someone who knows what they are doing. It's not hard but can be very dangerous or lethal. The easiest thing would be to find a 240V outlet in your garage. Measure EACH blade socket with a volt meter to the round ground socket, and EACH should be 120V... that is a 240V outlet. You can buy male plugs from a hardware store to fit and make an extension cord. BE CAREFUL. Electricity is like flash; not for novices.
scarbelly Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 (edited) Thanks for your help swede!I know that my house has 240, but I'm pretty sure that we only have it in our laundry room and kitchen. Obviously I'm not not gonna have a ball mill running in my kitchen or laundry room (which is right next to the kitchen). And they have no open sockets anyways. My parents told me we don't have it in our garage ( we don't really have any power equipment so it wouldn't be that useful.) If hacking the electricity involves breaking open any walls or undoing sockets, I doubt my parents will be happy about that. I guess I was just looking for an easy way out... But again, thank you very much. Edited October 1, 2009 by scarbelly
Richtee Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 Thanks for your help swede! Good advice at that. The transformer would work...but seriously... the best solution is a 110VAC motor. And an extension cord to the back yard :{) BE CAREFUL. Electricity is like flash; not for novices. Only faster...
scarbelly Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 (edited) Yeah. I guess I'll probably try to get a different motor... I just didn't want him to think that I was ungrateful, but it really doesn't make sense that he would think that. I really don't need 1/2 horsepower... that would just be a waste of a lot of good power. Edited October 1, 2009 by scarbelly
styropyro Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 Just popping in to say hi, I haven't done any true pyro in years but I have good memories any time I see a firework. I don't think any of you remember me because I joined so long ago, but it is good to see there are still a bunch of people that a truly into the hobby of pyrotechnics and not just the typical kid looking for a quick "boom". I learned so much when I was active here, I have to say it was a great help in understanding my chemistry classes.
scarbelly Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 Hello! I can't say I "remember" you, because you were before my time I believe. But I do recognize your avatar from my travels back through time into the past of APC. Glad to see you have fond memories
TheSidewinder Posted October 4, 2009 Posted October 4, 2009 I remember you (albeit vaguely. ), and yeah it HAS been ages. Glad you wandered back this way. Try to visit a little more often!
TheEskimo Posted October 9, 2009 Posted October 9, 2009 Okay...here's my question of the day: I made some simple fountain fuel. Made of KP, PVC, Parlon, SrNO3, Cu(II), Sugar, and -325 spherical Al. I wanted a magenta fountain. I mixed it up (I forget the amounts. Started as 75:25 KP:Su). I then burned a bit on the ground. It burned a blue color. I was bummed, but decided to make a fountain anyways. Much to my surprise and joy, it burned a very beautiful magenta. Why does this happen? I have noticed this with other fountain and flare comps. Burned in the open air, they purn a pasty color. But, put them in a tube with a nozzle, they burn a very bright color, or change color entirely. Is this due to my seeing only the colored bit of the flame when it's in the tube, or does the increased pressure and/or temp change the effect as well?It made a nice fountain, with beautifull gold sparks that come shooting out. Unfortunately, it is a bit slaggy; I'll have to work on that.
Richtee Posted October 9, 2009 Posted October 9, 2009 Okay...here's my question of the day: I made some simple fountain fuel. Made of KP, PVC, Parlon, SrNO3, Cu(II), Sugar, and -325 spherical Al. I wanted a magenta fountain. I mixed it up (I forget the amounts. Started as 75:25 KP:Su). I then burned a bit on the ground. It burned a blue color. I was bummed, but decided to make a fountain anyways. Much to my surprise and joy, it burned a very beautiful magenta. Why does this happen? I have noticed this with other fountain and flare comps. Burned in the open air, they purn a pasty color. But, put them in a tube with a nozzle, they burn a very bright color, or change color entirely. Is this due to my seeing only the colored bit of the flame when it's in the tube, or does the increased pressure and/or temp change the effect as well?It made a nice fountain, with beautifull gold sparks that come shooting out. Unfortunately, it is a bit slaggy; I'll have to work on that.A guess: the envelope of the chlorine donor is more contained, thereby allowing oxygen not to so much affect the color?
NightHawkInLight Posted October 9, 2009 Posted October 9, 2009 The temperature has very much to do with it. Also, when close to a composition as one would be burning a pile, the color often looks washed out. A loose pile of composition only gives a very rough image of what the finished product will come out as. Sometimes as you have seen, it is absolutely different.
RUUUUUN Posted October 10, 2009 Posted October 10, 2009 (edited) Is it just me or has sciencemadness become overrun by complete IDIOTS??? I used to view it as a pretty solid source of information: These days they can't answer questions about things as simple as specific heat capacity. There seem to be way more people asking about drug production these days as well. Don't get me wrong; there are a few individuals on there who are quite brilliant, yet it seems to me the vast majority are a bunch of retards. I noted Mumbles stating how every O-chem thread becomes a meth thread(I don't read the O-chem board very often, so I trust him). Has anyone, apart from he and I, noted a distinct drop in the quality of sciencemadness discussion board?? Edited October 10, 2009 by RUUUUUN
TheEskimo Posted October 11, 2009 Posted October 11, 2009 Thanks for the replys guys. Dunno about sciencemadness......I just lurk around here.Anyways, two questions: I want ammonium chloride for smoke comps. Has anyone tried ammonium chloride comps? And on Visser's site, I saw that it can be prepared by neutralizing ammonia solution with hydrochloric acid. It sounds like this should work; is it shady, or should I attempt this?And on the random side of things....I got up at 12:30 pm today. I love weekends
shagaKahn Posted October 11, 2009 Posted October 11, 2009 Thanks for the replys guys. Dunno about sciencemadness......I just lurk around here.Anyways, two questions: I want ammonium chloride for smoke comps. Has anyone tried ammonium chloride comps? And on Visser's site, I saw that it can be prepared by neutralizing ammonia solution with hydrochloric acid. It sounds like this should work; is it shady, or should I attempt this?And on the random side of things....I got up at 12:30 pm today. I love weekends Shit you can buy a pound of ammonium chloride at skylighter for like four bux--why mess with HCL?
TheEskimo Posted October 11, 2009 Posted October 11, 2009 Because I can. And I have everything else I need, so all I'd be ordering is ammonium chloride. So 5 bux for it, plus 15 bucks shipping, plus waiting a week; is the same as making my own, for the same price of the ingredients, without waiting a week, and it sounds like fun. And skylighter has the silly 30 dollar minimum order rule, and I'm a poor pyro at the moment. I can afford 20 bucks, but not 45 bucks.
Mumbles Posted October 11, 2009 Posted October 11, 2009 I've never tried the formulas, but that proceedure will work. You can actually open bottles next to each other and the fumes will combine into a white fog above them. This is NH4Cl. Not a suitable way to make it, but it's a fun demo. Keep in mind that Ammonium chloride slowly hydrolyses and decomposes in hot water. You'll have to naturally evaporate the water, and do it outside.
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