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LAN_403

ChemTechLabs

Fri Feb 10 2006, 07:53AM

Registered Member #98 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:53PM
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Posts: 14

As i'm currently becoming interested with High Voltage things !lol , I thought that a good first project would be a Vandegraff generator. I'm thinking of using 1 or dual vacuum cleaner motors for the TYPE of motor, and possibly something very large and round such as a globe with a layer of Aluminum Tape on the inside and out for the sphere on top. Does anybody have any suggestions for what other kinds of materials may be more effective for either the motor, sphere, or belt? Or just any helpful suggestions at all would be appreciated.

Carbon_Rod

Fri Feb 10 2006, 08:03AM

Registered Member #65 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:43AM
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Posts: 1155

I have seen the Mini demo:
Rubber band + glass fuse + hobby drive + Pop can + PVC pipe...

And the huge spun brass spheres with plexi and teflon parts...

What voltages or diameter are you thinking about?
:D

Dr. Shark

Fri Feb 10 2006, 09:44AM

Registered Member #75 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 09:30AM
Location: Montana, USA
Posts: 711

Unless you are very good at building mechanical things, I would not suggest a VDG as a first HV project. If you have got just a tiny bit of electronics experience, there are lots of easier ways to get some sparks.
For the VDG you could use IKEA salad bowls for the sphere (at least everyone seems to to that), and an exercise belt thingie you get from fitness shops. A vacuum cleaner motor seems a bit overkill for first experimentation, you will need a sound mechanical structure for that. I'd rather suggest a power drill for that.

However, the usual frist HV project would be a Flyback transformer from an old TV or monitor, that can very easily be driven with two MOSFET transistors and a handfull of passive components.

HV Enthusiast

Fri Feb 10 2006, 12:53PM

Registered Member #15 Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
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Posts: 3068

wrote ...

Unless you are very good at building mechanical things, I would not suggest a VDG as a first HV project. If you have got just a tiny bit of electronics experience, there are lots of easier ways to get some sparks.

Thats not true at all. Building a VDG is extremely easy. A small motor, several rubber bands, and a toilet bowl float is usually enough for beginners.

And as always, www.sciencefirst.com of NY sells VDG parts for anything you can think of. Just go their website and download some of the VDG manuals. In the back of the manuals, they have the parts lists. So you can get very nice belts, pulleys, motors, 14" and 16" aluminum spheres (oblates), etc... So those hard to find or make parts can be purchased here. At the least, i would recommend the belt they sell.

Dan

Michael W.

Fri Feb 10 2006, 03:26PM

Registered Member #50 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 04:07AM
Location: Vernon, B.C, Canada
Posts: 324

The problem with a VDG is you need a motor with a large amount of torc and kick to get the belt moving unless you want to start it by hand....Thats where the Vacuum motor comes in.

Marko

Fri Feb 10 2006, 03:29PM

Registered Member #89 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 02:40PM
Location: Zadar, Croatia
Posts: 3145

Just use standard DC or AC motor big enough.
Some reductors are good idea too if they are implemented in motor..

FaLLoUT

Thu Feb 23 2006, 09:37PM

Registered Member #241 Joined: Thu Feb 23 2006, 09:13PM
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Posts: 19

im trying to build a wimshursts machine which is much easier to maintain and build VDG are hard to maintain...i think u should build a wimshursts machine first and it will function as good as VDG

Omicron

Sun Feb 26 2006, 07:15PM

Registered Member #131 Joined: Fri Feb 10 2006, 09:25PM
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Posts: 185

start with some thing safe and work your way up!

vasil

Sun Feb 26 2006, 07:44PM

Registered Member #229 Joined: Tue Feb 21 2006, 07:33PM
Location: Romania
Posts: 506

Build a Bonetti machine, it is simple and it has much more current capability, because the used surface of the discs is not limited at the metalic sectors. Yes, it is not self starting as a Whimshurst, but this can resolved easily using a PVC pipe, electrised by friction, put near the disc, opposite to the neutraliser, while you turn the crank.

Kolas

Mon Feb 27 2006, 05:50AM

Registered Member #102 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 08:15PM
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 169

wow VDG- dangeous!!!?

heh unless you charge a large cap bank with one, i think its damn near impossible to be killed by a small VDG.
assuming it's not outputing over 100kv. (which is hard to accomplish such voltages(due to insualtion)
at those votlages, even a small topload could contain enouph joulege to hurt someone
never the less, use a grounded chicken stick to discharge it be fore touching and all that saftey stuff

but since most people get around 30kV
i think a VDG is a great place to start

kolas

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