squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 08:47PMHi everyone, I just signed up today.
I want to run a low-voltage step down transformer (12V from one of those garden light supply boxes) in reverse (120V into the low voltage secondary) for the purpose of zapping some squirrels. Would this even give me enough current to shutdown a squirrel's heart/lungs? I need to know what kind of current limiting is needed on the 120V side (as the transformer smoke up with none
). If anyone is willing to help me that would be great.Brock
Re: squirell problem + transformer
Andrew L., Sat Apr 21 2007, 08:49PM
Now that is just cruel zapping squirrel's
I suggest locking this thread due to animal cruelty violations
Andrew L., Sat Apr 21 2007, 08:49PM
Now that is just cruel zapping squirrel's
I suggest locking this thread due to animal cruelty violations
Re: squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:04PM
Well I could use the pellet gun-but I don't want to make them suffer.
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:04PM
Well I could use the pellet gun-but I don't want to make them suffer.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
Andrew L., Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:07PM
Why don't you think of something else, like not killing them.
Andrew L., Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:07PM
Why don't you think of something else, like not killing them.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:18PM
I've already tried a squirell trap (=more crap lol), ultrasonics, puttting food far away, eating the bird's food etc... and I'm going to get a professional exterminator if I can't zap them.
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:18PM
I've already tried a squirell trap (=more crap lol), ultrasonics, puttting food far away, eating the bird's food etc... and I'm going to get a professional exterminator if I can't zap them.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
Andrew L., Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:20PM
And nothing worked.
Why do they bother you so much anyway?
Andrew L., Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:20PM
And nothing worked.
Why do they bother you so much anyway?
Re: squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:23PM
Well... they've destroyed my tree house roof and pooped all over the place, got into my attic as well as pooped all over the place there, and they're continuing to be destructive. The squirrels and I can be friends if they don't poop on my things.
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 09:23PM
Well... they've destroyed my tree house roof and pooped all over the place, got into my attic as well as pooped all over the place there, and they're continuing to be destructive. The squirrels and I can be friends if they don't poop on my things.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
Electroholic, Sat Apr 21 2007, 10:04PM
so i see you joined 4hv hoping someone will give you a circuit for zapping animals. thats a good start.
and you obviously didn't take your time to search the forum first before you ask these questions.
Just a quick search in the forum on the word "squirrel", and I found this old thread.
problem solved?
can someone lock this thread?
Electroholic, Sat Apr 21 2007, 10:04PM
so i see you joined 4hv hoping someone will give you a circuit for zapping animals. thats a good start.
and you obviously didn't take your time to search the forum first before you ask these questions.
Just a quick search in the forum on the word "squirrel", and I found this old thread.
problem solved?
can someone lock this thread?
Re: squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 10:07PM
Thanks for the link, I appreciate it . But I just want to know what to use to current limit the primary of the transformer.
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 10:07PM
Thanks for the link, I appreciate it
. But I just want to know what to use to current limit the primary of the transformer.Re: squirell problem + transformer
Bill G, Sat Apr 21 2007, 10:09PM
Sorry to hear about your squirrel problem, they can be difficult and expensive to deal with.
An HV device may not be a good solution. If you put such a device in your attic, perhaps the squirrel, when interacting with the device, will cause an arc and fire. Should the fire department investigators get any idea what you were up to, you may find that your homeowners insurance would not pay up. If you deploy an HV device in the yard and a neighbors child or cat encounters said device and is harmed, you face lawsuit and perhaps even jail. Get a renovator to seal any animal sized entry holes to your attic with wire mesh. Maybe get a cat that likes to chase small animals. You could even try putting a bucket of bird seed in a remote corner of your yard in the hopes that the squirrels will feed from that.
They are annoying destructive creatures when they get in the home. Remember that they are legally protected in many municipalities. Good luck.
Bill G, Sat Apr 21 2007, 10:09PM
Sorry to hear about your squirrel problem, they can be difficult and expensive to deal with.
An HV device may not be a good solution. If you put such a device in your attic, perhaps the squirrel, when interacting with the device, will cause an arc and fire. Should the fire department investigators get any idea what you were up to, you may find that your homeowners insurance would not pay up. If you deploy an HV device in the yard and a neighbors child or cat encounters said device and is harmed, you face lawsuit and perhaps even jail. Get a renovator to seal any animal sized entry holes to your attic with wire mesh. Maybe get a cat that likes to chase small animals. You could even try putting a bucket of bird seed in a remote corner of your yard in the hopes that the squirrels will feed from that.
They are annoying destructive creatures when they get in the home. Remember that they are legally protected in many municipalities. Good luck.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 10:21PM
Thanks for the heads up Bill, but I'd have it outside and not in the attic. My backyard is no problem for cats or children as it's BIG and far away from people (and cats, but what would a cat want with bread?). You don't even legally need a hunting license in my area to shoot squirrels or rabbits because they are taking a big chunk out of farm produce.
PS I've already tried the bird feed far away.
brockolicious, Sat Apr 21 2007, 10:21PM
Thanks for the heads up Bill, but I'd have it outside and not in the attic. My backyard is no problem for cats or children as it's BIG and far away from people (and cats, but what would a cat want with bread?). You don't even legally need a hunting license in my area to shoot squirrels or rabbits because they are taking a big chunk out of farm produce.
PS I've already tried the bird feed far away.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
Bill G, Sat Apr 21 2007, 11:39PM
Many years ago I had a rat problem in my basement. I rigged up a nasty and dangerous HV device although rat traps would have worked too. I took an MOT 6 pack as the power source and made a sheet aluminum platform hinged at one end with a microswitch and a spring under the other end. this platform had a hole in the middle about 4 inches in diameter, a section of 1/4 inch allthread came up the center of this hole. I baited the trap by smearing peanut butter on the allthread electrode. A rat would walk onto the platform and begin licking the peanut butter. The weight of the rat would close the microswitch, powering a relay that switched on the MOT 6 pack, one wire to the center allthread rod, the other wire to the aluminum plate. I got a few rats this way, but the burnt rat smell was not too nice ... Rural and legal you say? Maybe a .22 and a quick google search for squirrel stew recipes ... My way crisps them too much ...
Bill G, Sat Apr 21 2007, 11:39PM
Many years ago I had a rat problem in my basement. I rigged up a nasty and dangerous HV device although rat traps would have worked too. I took an MOT 6 pack as the power source and made a sheet aluminum platform hinged at one end with a microswitch and a spring under the other end. this platform had a hole in the middle about 4 inches in diameter, a section of 1/4 inch allthread came up the center of this hole. I baited the trap by smearing peanut butter on the allthread electrode. A rat would walk onto the platform and begin licking the peanut butter. The weight of the rat would close the microswitch, powering a relay that switched on the MOT 6 pack, one wire to the center allthread rod, the other wire to the aluminum plate. I got a few rats this way, but the burnt rat smell was not too nice ... Rural and legal you say? Maybe a .22 and a quick google search for squirrel stew recipes ... My way crisps them too much ...
Re: squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sun Apr 22 2007, 12:28AM
Thanks for the help Bill. I don't have a 22 or any other gun, and I'm too cheap to get one, perhaps if someone I know has one the I can borrow. (expect for pellet, spud, coil, rail rofl)
But I'm going to try out my rig and see how it works. Once again if anyone knows what I should use to limit the primary current that would be very useful to me.
brockolicious, Sun Apr 22 2007, 12:28AM
Thanks for the help Bill. I don't have a 22 or any other gun, and I'm too cheap to get one, perhaps if someone I know has one the I can borrow. (expect for pellet, spud, coil, rail rofl)
But I'm going to try out my rig and see how it works. Once again if anyone knows what I should use to limit the primary current that would be very useful to me.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
Hazmatt_(The Underdog), Sun Apr 22 2007, 01:06AM
To current limit the secondary you could use a large resistor and the approximation I = E/R and just consider your short circuit load, eg. the transformer is connected in series with the resistor.
E would really be Vpk *.707 which is the RMS voltage, and that would be more accurate.
Have you not considered calling Animal Control. Seems like the proper way to go about this. They can give you the traps, the squirrels get trapped, then Animal Control will have to find a place to relocate them. I think that's a better answer.
Hazmatt_(The Underdog), Sun Apr 22 2007, 01:06AM
To current limit the secondary you could use a large resistor and the approximation I = E/R and just consider your short circuit load, eg. the transformer is connected in series with the resistor.
E would really be Vpk *.707 which is the RMS voltage, and that would be more accurate.
Have you not considered calling Animal Control. Seems like the proper way to go about this. They can give you the traps, the squirrels get trapped, then Animal Control will have to find a place to relocate them. I think that's a better answer.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sun Apr 22 2007, 01:25AM
Thanks mr. hazmatt
brockolicious, Sun Apr 22 2007, 01:25AM
Thanks mr. hazmatt
Re: squirell problem + transformer
IamSmooth, Sun Apr 22 2007, 01:42AM
why don't you use a low impedance energizer for an electric fence. It will put out enough voltage to deter the squirrels and its pulse will be so short it will not arc and cause fires.
IamSmooth, Sun Apr 22 2007, 01:42AM
why don't you use a low impedance energizer for an electric fence. It will put out enough voltage to deter the squirrels and its pulse will be so short it will not arc and cause fires.
Re: squirell problem + transformer
brockolicious, Sun Apr 22 2007, 02:22AM
I want something simple/cheap that I already have, but thank you for the suggestion. Could I just stick a 100 W lightbulb or something in series with the transformer? (On the primary side.)
brockolicious, Sun Apr 22 2007, 02:22AM
I want something simple/cheap that I already have, but thank you for the suggestion. Could I just stick a 100 W lightbulb or something in series with the transformer? (On the primary side.)
Re: squirell problem + transformer
HV Enthusiast, Sun Apr 22 2007, 03:05AM
Thread locked.
Although some of us can surely sympathize with your squirrel problem, 4hv does not advocate the use of high voltage to injure or kill any living creatures, including squirrels.
Dan
HV Enthusiast, Sun Apr 22 2007, 03:05AM
Thread locked.
Although some of us can surely sympathize with your squirrel problem, 4hv does not advocate the use of high voltage to injure or kill any living creatures, including squirrels.
Dan
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