| Author | Message | ||
     donnaroehrig |
We built the fancier version of this project from the picture on the site, but we cant get it to work. Does the copper wire need to be a certain gauge or connected straight to the bell and not the split ring? Is there a certain kind or size of alligator lead test that we need? We tried holding the end lead to conduct the ground, but that didnt work either. We also tried it to a computer metal case and that didnt work. What could we be doing wrong? Some help or ideas on what to do would be great!!! My son is really interested in doing this, but discouraged that it didnt work. Thanks, Donna | ||
| Simon Quellen Field (Sfield) |
Some things to check: 1. Make sure you have a good source of high voltage. If you get a good shock from the aluminum foil on the TV, you are probably OK. The shock will not damage you, just cause your hand to jerk. 2. Make sure that the parts are clean. Dirt and grease are good conductors at high voltage. 3. Play with the separation between the bells. You can also try giving the clapper a start with your finger. | ||
| surendra murthy.c (Science_boy) New member Username: Science_boy Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2007 |
i did the franklin bell and it worked. but it only worked when the tv was switched on and again during when i switched off .it did'nt move when the tv was running.do you think using a van de graaf generator will prove more effective than tv.when i checked the tv screen with voltmeter it read only 1.5v. | ||
| Simon Quellen Field (Sfield) Senior Member Username: Sfield Post Number: 1750 Registered: 12-2004 |
The TV is acting as a capacitor. Turning it on or off charges it up. Letting it discharge through the bells means that you will have to charge it back up again, by turning it on or off. This is how it is supposed to work. A VDG will generate a steady high voltage. So will the devices in battery powered electrostatic air purifiers, and power supplies for helium-neon lasers. A Wimshurst generator: "http://www.anatomyphysics.com/store/item/1cjem/Science/Wimshurst_Machine.html" |
