Re: I'm trying this at home.

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Malcolm Watts by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <m.j.watts-at-massey.ac.nz>

I wonder whether some of this advice isn't off the mark somewhat:

On 1 Jul 01, at 15:46, Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "S & J Young by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<youngs-at-konnections-dot-net>
> 
> Duck,
> 
> Many of the list will tell you to "don't do this!", but you seem determined.
> 
> So, first do it with a good sized uncooked room temperature roast of some
> sort.  Measure the temperature of the roast on the surface and at several
> depths inside - probably all the same temperature.  Then put the roast on
> the metal platform and run some power through it for a while, letting the
> discharge arc from a fork stuck in it.  Then shut down the TC and repeat the
> temperature measurements.
> 
> Presumably the temperature will have risen some from the RF energy passing
> through the roast.  In other words, it has been cooked some.
> 
> Now, think about that.  Do you really want to cook yourself?  Would you want
> to climb in an industrial microwave oven which will also cook yourself?   I
> hope not.

Microwave ovens operate on a fundamentally different principle - they 
resonate water molecules at a frequency around 2.4GHz or so. A number 
people have sat on top of coils and allowed sparks to issue from a 
discharge rod held in their hands. Scientific American featured Bill 
Wysock doing exactly this in a 1993 article on lightning. I'd say 
that if you need to ask how to safely do it, don't do it.
      Probably the major hazard is allowing a spark issuing from your 
body or discharge point to connect with mains and/or primary wiring - 
both lethal.

Malcolm

> So if you insist on doing your platform thing, which I don't recommend, do
> this:  Run a wire from the platform through your clothes to whatever metal
> thing you will be holding as the discharge point.  Stand barefooted on the
> platform so you and the wire are the same potential.  Then let 'er rip.
> Just be sure to keep whatever the arc is discharging from higher than any
> other part of your body so the arc is leaving metal, not flesh or hair.  The
> power will flow through the wire, and you can still get the cheap thrill of
> arcs jumping off something you are holding.
> 
> If you actually do this, please do NOT tell the list about it!!  You don't
> want to be responsible for encouraging someone else to do it with possible
> tragic consequences, and we don't want our hobby ruined by the resulting
> publicity.  I am quite serious about this.
> 
> --Steve
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2001 10:12 PM
> Subject: I'm trying this at home.
> 
> 
> > Original poster: "Christopher Boden by way of Terry Fritz
> <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <chrisboden-at-hotmail-dot-com>
> >
> > Well actually , at the lab.
> >
> > This is a serious question, I don't want flames on this (though I know I'm
> 
> > gonna get them).
> >
> > I'm doing "The Demo". Insulated steel platform, powered off the discharge
> > from a 6" coil powered by 12/180. The platform will be a 3' circle on 72"
> of
> > insulators (Station post insulators). Coil output limited to 2' arcs max,
> > and NOTHING within at least 20' of the platform except a bare concrete
> > floor.
> >
> > I'm serious about wanting to do this for several reasons.
> >
> > 1. I want to research the actual effects of passing the discharge.
> >
> > 2. I want to know how it feels.
> >
> > 3. I want to do it to show that, if handled properly, electricity can be
> > incredibly safe.
> >
> > I fully understand the dangers involved, and I know that if I do this
> wrong
> > I can die doing it. I understand that a Master has died in the past (One
> of
> > the 3 coiling deaths ever) doing this exact same demonstration. I
> understand
> > that there could be long-term effects that can include unknown interior
> > burns than can take forever to heal, etc etc. Even with a full
> appreciation
> > of the dangers involved I am still stupid enough to take the risk.
> >
> > There are many people who have done this (Brent comes to mind, and I would
> > love to talk to him), I would like people THAT HAVE ACTUALLY DONE THIS to
> > give me some serious, practical advice so that this can be done as safely
> as
> > possible.
> >
> > I will have a well trained crew on hand, including EMTs and an Ambulance
> > parked outside (we're doing the demo for the local Public Safety Dept as a
> > bit on Electrical Hazards and such.)
> >
> > This is something that has been specifically avoided when people have
> asked
> > in the past and dismissed as "Don't do it, it's stupid, you'll die and
> ruin
> > it for the rest of us, etc etc etc...." noone has ever answered a post
> like
> > this in the past with real advice.
> >
> > I belive this is sonething that SHOULD be explored, but only under VERY
> > specific situations. This isn't something for the average 14 year old to
> > try, but for someone with the required people, training, and facilities
> this
> > should be fine, if done properly.
> >
> > I can't afford the learning curve on this one guys, I need the knowledge
> of
> > thos that have come before. This is a zero-tolerance thing. Please help.
> >
> >
> > Thank guys.
> > Chris "Freeclimber, S.C.C.A. Racer, Street Luger, Lightning Thrower" Boden
> >
> > duck
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Christopher A. Boden Geek#1
> > President / C.E.O. / Alpha Geek
> > The Geek Group
> > www.thegeekgroup-dot-org
> > Because the Geek shall inherit the Earth!
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
>