ElectroBOOM sinking to new low in safety - what to do? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 01:03:30 am
content: This is not electronics anymore, it's a side show. Today it seems he almost bit the big one.. (at 7:50) I hope he had some kind of RCD keeping him alive, because it seemed the full potential of a MOT went across his chest. I'm helping update ourYouTubers List- So in the name of all that's right, should we remove him? *edit Or.. should someone post a Vote?

author: aandrew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 02:07:09 am
content: I agree, but he's been descending down into the realm of inanity for a while now. He's not much different than the types of youtube channels that buy new iPhones to drill holes in them or other idiotic pranks for views. It's sad, because he does have electronics skill, but he chooses to act like a moron for youtube views.

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 02:08:10 am
content: I'm not sure which David posted thishttp://www.electroboom.com/?p=976#comment-111842on his personal site, but maybe that's just the thing he needs to hear.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 02:24:03 am
content: Quote from: Cliff Matthews on June 29, 2017, 02:08:10 amJust pointing out that wasn't me.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 02:27:47 am
content: People cock up, even engineers, he didn't have to post the video, he openly says he made a mistake, he clearly tells people to not make the same mistake, if people hid their mistakes nobody could ever learn from them.And for anybody wondering,no, it wasn't faked

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 02:35:42 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on June 29, 2017, 02:27:47 amClose call, crazy.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 02:41:56 am
content: He could have killed himself in that video. I do hope he tones it down.

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 03:09:30 am
content: Yeah usually his videos are a great show, with very little actual risk to him if you beat away the safety nancys who are afraid to even look at an exposed mains wire (Inb4 euros smugging about outlets) But a MOT packs a wallop, and I was uneasy with the long lighter between the legs of the ladder. (ignition wire in lighter, metal spring, super questionable clearance on that, grounded core on MOT, a whole lot of trust on a little varnish and a bobbin) But when the whole bit fell over on him, I went back, looked over the video, tried to see what he did, look for well done cut, something with the camera angle making it look closer than it actually, etc but was like "Nope, no, that was a full on dangerous accident, dude was inches from death" not his usual showmanship to make stuff look way more dangerous than it is.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 03:37:15 am
content: "Let's start the mayhem"At least he was nice enough to'come back from the future'to warn us not to try this at home (or anywhere else)Experienced HV tinkerers like ElectroBOOM and Photonicinduction know how to put on a good 'risk' show

author: wasyoungonce
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 04:21:38 am
content: haaahaaaA flair for the bang!

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 05:21:02 am
content: ElectroBOOM reminds me when I was a 5 yro. gave my Dad many sleepless nights, so Dave, how is child safety at home ?.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 05:24:18 am
content: He is entertaining, but someone will try to emulate him and die. Do I care? I am not sure.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 05:35:32 am
content: My jaw dropped when i had that video playing on the side and noticed his hands going for both of the rods. For a moment i thought if he is gonna die there but then how would the video get posted.I like his silly videos, who doesn't like to laugh at someone for a shock or minor injury. But this is taking it way too far. Its one thing to poke at 220V mains. Yes its not safe, but you have to do something really stupid to actually kill yourself with it. This 2kV shock however could have easily resulted in death if the current kept flowing for longer.I think that part should have been cut out of the video or a big ass disclaimer made after that shock to explain just how dangerous this was. We don't want people thinking its safe to poke and touch live MOT transformers.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 05:45:13 am
content: Urgh. I got less than half way through and had to stop watching. Perhaps because I could see it coming, and the closest I've come to killing myself via our beloved electrons, was in my pre-teens with a rather similar setup. Dropped a wire with maybe 20KV AC from a big transformer on it, the end fell past my finger. Close enough to arc.Anyway.Q: "What to do?"A: More popcorn.His poor alligator leads suffer a lot, judging by their charred appearance.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 06:40:41 am
content: If the 2 sides of the sparklers/Jacobs ladder didn't short together so quickly, burning out the alligator clips, as he grabbed them, IE 1 side in his left hand, the other in his right, he would have had a heart attack.

author: station240
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 06:59:35 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on June 29, 2017, 05:45:13 amWell they aren't rated for 2000V, or possibly not the currents being produced.Does anyone even make 2000V rated alligator clips (insulation rating) ?I made my own custom alligator lead set for higher current, why can't Electroboom do the same for HV experiments ?

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 09:43:14 am
content: I'll bet he has some ElectroBOOM brothers and sisters in the background to bail him out if any stunt goes really southWhy? because he's been getting away with it for too long..

author: wasyoungonce
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 09:53:37 am
content: Quote from: station240 on June 29, 2017, 06:59:35 amWhere is the theatre in that!

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 09:59:50 am
content: So Mehdi Sadaghar is doing unsafe things?How about Colin Furze, who got seriously burned? And Andy, who blows stuff up in his attic or garden?

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:13:14 am
content: With the slight difference, that Andy does always playe safe with electricity. You may find dangerous setting his carpet on fire every time, however this is nowhere near as dangerous. Andy plays safe and as an electrician, he knows well what not to do.Colin Furze is however a different matter. But whatever... he must be drawning in money so a few stupid experiments... just gives more money.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:21:38 am
content: If that was streamed live I would have shat myself when he grabbed hold of the sparklers. Fire, electricity, it's a reminder that natural instinct is to grab hold with clenched hands at that. Even when I watched last night I sat up straight in bed.He at least warns people about the dangers, unlike Ben Heck.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:33:14 am
content: I reckon the next 'extreme' stage will be whoever fakes their own death first with one of these stunts(or their frustrated partner 'helps' makes it authentic)and watch Youtube junkiesclick that channel to -garbage bag full of cash- status in one day---------------as it is, if ElectroBOOM now has 1 million subscribers,his next stunts may be in the back of a fully kitted out stretch limocomplete with mini-bar, inverter, test gear, and back to back RCD/GFCIs...

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:45:31 am
content: Hopefully he has someone standing nearby with a defibrillator.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:54:41 am
content: Those transformers are extremely dangerous to humans.May be the tiny and flimsy wires saved him.Otherwise this really was a close call.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 11:42:07 am
content: Quote from: jonovid on June 29, 2017, 05:21:02 amI found Huxley sticking multimeter probes into a switched on power point a few weeks back.Atta'boy

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 11:49:28 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on June 29, 2017, 10:33:14 amI'm afraid not, he'd only be earning about $50-60K a year from the channel.The problem with growing your channel on harming yourself in pranks, is that you basically have to keep harming yourself in pranks to keep the ball rolling, likely in ever more spectacular ways. I really enjoyed his debunking episodes, I hope he does more of those, they were fairly popular.

author: Augustus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 01:05:13 pm
content: Dumb never dies, err, wait...http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teen-youtuber-shoots-kills-boyfriend-video-stunt-n777851

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 01:44:00 pm
content: Quote from: Augustus on June 29, 2017, 01:05:13 pmShe claims it was his idea and he talked her into it.That's got to be a Darwin Award winner.Clearly he hadn't heard of the concept of a "dry run"

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 02:13:20 pm
content: It's curious, because he starts the segment with a workable illusion:He's set the camera low to the table, far back, and zoomed in. You can see the ambiguity in the depth of field.Then he waves his hands around the wires, and you wince -- but as a professional (well, YouTuber if nothing else), he could be acting that jump (i.e., where he touches one wire and gets a static shock). He has to time it just right so his fingerlooksto be touching the wire, but it's actually far behind and he's reacting to nothing. This would be easy to film in a couple of takes.This would be the safe way to recreate the scene. It's not entirely clear that he intended to shoot it this way -- if he did, for maximum effect he would've needed to create two Jacob's Ladder props, one exactly scaled down so it can be closer to the camera while taking up the same visual size. The other is used for direct handling, when the power is safely off.But this completely goes away when he builds and energizes the sparkler-tree. That was, well, as dumb as he admitted, I guess.Just to say that, if he had put a little more thought into it, he could've filmed the first segment safely.(Also, it would get harder to fake -- to keep distance between hands and wires -- where he's striking the arc manually. Still possible to do, though. At least he used insulators that time.)Tim

author: edgelog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 02:46:55 pm
content: Quote from: BrianHG on June 29, 2017, 06:40:41 amJust to be nitpicky: he would have had a ventricular fibrillation with circulatory arrest. Not a heart attack.Sorry, couldn't refrain.

author: buck converter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 03:00:25 pm
content: I thing ElectroBOOM's intentions are clear. He tries to appeal to beginners to electronics & Electrical Engineers, but most of his subscribers are probably everyday people who just watch for the explosions and shocks. You can see that in some of his videos he does not do anything stupid, just talks about electronics. That is not what a majority of his subs want. I feel bad for him for having pressure from both sides.

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 03:29:09 pm
content: "Experienced HV tinkerers like ElectroBOOM andPhotonicinductionknow how to put on a good 'risk' show"That was the name of the individual I was trying to remember. He does have some weird, crazy and dangerous stuff on his channels.They are not alone. There are some Russian videos doing absolutely dangerous stuff.And these are ONLY the electrical-related channels. There are many more playing with chemistry that go boom. Plenty of channels creating -on purpose- runaway conditions on car and truck engines. Others designing their own jet engines and running them until the metal is yellow hot.And let's not even talk about extreme sports. GoPro has created a bunch of maniacs here.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 03:34:45 pm
content: Photonicinduction = Andy. (mentioned above).

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 05:38:10 pm
content: Wow I figured this was staged/faked, crazy it was real haha. That could have gone very wrong.I had a few mishaps myself playing with high voltage (low current though). I had a shock actually leave a mark, that's a first for me. I forgot to account for arcing when touching an insulated connector. Oops.Another time was with a small transformer I wound myself, driven by a 555 timer. Was just messing around making it light up CFL bulbs and accidentally had the wire slip and touch me.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 05:43:38 pm
content: fuck, i just watched that video. my heart skipped a beat when the contraption fell over him

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 06:25:17 pm
content: I think he got seriously shocked this time, or he's a good actor. At 8:08 you can see his hands shaking.

author: chriswebb
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 06:27:07 pm
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on June 29, 2017, 06:25:17 pmCould be adrenaline, but I noticed that too. Either way it definitely does not seem staged this time... Unless he's just that good of an actor.

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 06:59:14 pm
content: Don't think it was acting, he was alert and paused his grab reflex long enough to short it while dragging the mess to his right. Noticed the white clip come off the MOT core first. It must have felt like someone kicked his chest afterward.So other than eat more popcorn, I guess folks are OK with him staying on our YouTubers List. I'll change the description to:"Craziness in engineering! HV risks, often too much to watch.."since some say they couldn't watch.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 07:17:39 pm
content: Just wear thick electrician gloves goddamnit! it's 2kV at high current, not some stupid 220VAC stuff! this was seriously too much, the risk of him dying was much, much higher then your typical main shocks. I love his channel and I think he went too far.

author: eugenenine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 09:43:07 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 29, 2017, 11:42:07 amIts only dangerous if he doesn't put the meter on Voltage first :p

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 09:58:57 pm
content: Quote from: eugenenine on June 29, 2017, 09:43:07 pmNot if its fluke

author: fubar.gr
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:33:15 pm
content: Quote from: Cliff Matthews on June 29, 2017, 01:03:30 amAn RCD would be useless in that case. A MOT works just like any other transformer, isolating primary from secondary. Therefore, the secondary is not mains earth referenced and as far as the RCD is concerned there's no earth leakage.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 10:40:01 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on June 29, 2017, 03:34:45 pmhe follows a strict safety protocolhttps://youtu.be/EZBhiJq4TL4pay special attention to the check list at around 2:10

author: wasyoungonce
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 11:26:33 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on June 29, 2017, 10:54:41 amAlso tossing about high energy capacitors used in Microwaves...now one mistake with these will kill you no second chance.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2017, 11:29:12 pm
content: I always wanted to give my smoke detectors a real test, thanks to Andy / Photonicinduction I can get on to it asapWhat? no beer in this episode ?Lose the effing smokes Andy, and buy beer instead, we need you in good health mateQuote from: fubar.gr on June 29, 2017, 10:33:15 pmIf it's not an autotransformer and is isolated then ElectroBOOM must have a very fast acting resettable magnetic /thermal breaker of some sort, and a slightly higher rated fuse down the line tooOtherwise he'd be posting Youtubes from the 'other side'from MANY videos ago

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 12:25:32 am
content: Quote from: langwadt on June 29, 2017, 10:40:01 pmHis neighbors must hate him.. all that EMI must wreak havoc with cellphones etc..

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 12:41:12 am
content: They probably see all the lights dim and think "he must be playing with his electricity stuff again!".

author: Don Hills
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 01:29:40 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on June 30, 2017, 12:41:12 am... or it turns to daylight outside, when he tested a 20 kilowatt lamp in the back yard...

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 02:56:03 am
content: Quote from: Don Hills on June 30, 2017, 01:29:40 amLol yeah that lamp was quite impressive.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 08:04:48 am
content: Quote from: wasyoungonce on June 29, 2017, 11:26:33 pmThe cap from the oven is not gonna kill you. Will store like 5J at best. That is one heck of boom to touch, but probably won't kill you. Also, all the caps from ovens I have seen have had integrated discharge resistors in them. (it is usually written on them too and can be verified with your ohmmeter).

author: bktemp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 08:25:06 am
content: Older capacitors often don't have a builtin discharge resistor. I made that experience some time ago.I didn't touch the capacitor, only the wiring, but the insulation was old and brittle and the arc whent right through.That was quite painful, but AC is often worse because capacitors typcially discharge quickly.They can store much more than 5J: The typical value is 1uF, rated for around 2kVAC. Therefore they can be used at 5kVdc storing >10J. You can even go higher, but this risks damaging the capacitor.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 09:51:06 am
content: Yesterday my dad gave me a cheap chinese SMPS to repair. unfortunately, it didn't have a bleeder resistor across the main filter capacitors, and even though it was sitting unused for 12 hours, when I opened it up I got a nice little shock. a good way to start the morning, with the heart at 120BPM.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 10:08:44 am
content: I think there was a thread about the dead boy in the article.http://www.seventeen.com/life/news/a39878/morgan-wojciechowski-was-attempting-an-experiment-called-jacobs-ladder-which-involves-a-high-voltage-arc-of-electricity/Alexander.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2017, 10:33:16 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on June 30, 2017, 09:56:35 amThat certainly sounds like something you really wouldn't wanna touch.I was experimenting with a 1kJ electrolytic cap bank in making a coilgun for fun. First few tests went well but then the SCR triggering circuit lost a connection somewhere and didn't fire anymore. So i had the caps sitting there fully charged with nothing to empty them. My quick solution was a near by 100W incandescent bulb that i very carefully stuck across the bus bars, i found it a pretty nervous operation. Later on i wired in separate discharge circuit using the same 100W lamp as a load since it worked well and could discharge it reasonably low in about half a minute.

author: aandrew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2017, 03:22:58 am
content: I don't like the idea of a MOT for a Jacob's ladder to begin with.When I did my stint in HV experiments I had built a two-transistor LC oscillator with a rewound HV transformer out of the biggest TV I could find.There's a BIG difference between 60Hz few thousand volts out of a voltage-double/tripled MOT and the 40kHz 50-75kV I got out of my HV generator. Still hurts to get zapped but WAY, WAY safer.... and made just as cool Jacob's ladders in addition to plasma globes and ion motors...

author: jh15
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2017, 05:02:42 am
content: I and others started decades ago with Jacob's ladders and used neon sign or oil burner ignition xfmrs.At my hackerspace someone asked if MOTs could be used. (Ihad a few around for various uses).I said besides the high danger, there is no current limiting built-in like the former.Be like trying it with a transmitter plate supply, no one will be happy.A funny (because we survived), accident happened when a friend tried to connect his Van deGraph to a ladder. This was in 8th or 9th grade in 60's, but THAT memory never faded.Is there a "my most embarrassing shop/lab/home experimenter" thread here?I'm going to bed before watching the video.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2017, 04:45:43 pm
content: Quote from: ConKbot on June 29, 2017, 03:09:30 amI agree but I doubt he connected the core of the transformer to earth. In this case it probably would be safer to let the transformer and its secondary to float, so it's unlikely there would be a complete circuit when touching one side of the secondary.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2017, 08:46:15 pm
content: Well, this is how to make a DIY plasma ball. like the 1kW lamp used there as well, but would probably use one of the 400W MV reflector lamps i have instead.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2017, 10:34:28 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on July 01, 2017, 08:46:15 pmUsing an energy saving lightbulb driver for the flyback transformer is insane! The main problem is it makes it easier for clueless people to make.The only idea of using a blocking oscillator was safer, not only because it's isolated from the mains but there's also slightly more skill required to make it, thus eliminating total nubies from the equation.

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2017, 05:30:18 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on July 01, 2017, 04:45:43 pmIts been a while since I've read about exciting HV projects, but I could have sworn that one end of MOT was grounded to ease insulation requirements to the core (anything for cheaper manufacturing) and that lifting the ground was required for unipolar double stacks, or insane bipolar quad stacks.Hm, some achematics like below show the core as grounded too. Looks like the connection may be internal too.http://kitchen.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/sanyo/ems2588w.html?p=2Obviously it could vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but if you're counting on the isolation, an insulation tester would be a very good idea.

author: SKHILLBILLYSlures
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2017, 05:47:02 am
content: I tend to argue it taught me a lot about parasitic capacitance this something your electricronics technology teacher doesn't teach you (just that definitely shouldn't touch it not why just that you shouldn't )that touching ONE side of the live 2kv will shock you I never new this before that video and he even show cases it with MM probe watching him get shocked insures to me that I don't want to be shocked like that I only free for his safety and hope that he doesn't heart problems in the future from the excessive intentional misuse of ac electricity so that others may be inspired to not be shocked in much the way I was inspired to

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2017, 06:56:39 am
content: Quote from: ConKbot on July 02, 2017, 05:30:18 amYes, one end of the MOT secondary is connected to the core but that could easily be left to float, if needs be. It may be dangerous to have a transformer with inadequate isolation between the core and mains primary unearthed but the safety of a HV floating secondary winding would outweigh the risk in this case.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 05:20:03 am
content: Yep nobody forces you to connect the core to ground like it was done in the microwave.I seen people use this to there advantage by connecting two microwave transformer outputs in series. Tho obviously you can't take this trick too far as eventually the insulation of the primary will arc over. My guess is that 3 in series is as far as you can get before it bursts in flame as soon as you turn it on.To make things even crazyer you can mirror the series setup by flipping the primary connection to get an opposite phase output for a grand total of 8kV. I sure wouldn't want to stand anywhere near that thing thats for sure.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 07:10:41 am
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on June 29, 2017, 01:44:00 pmApparently they did several dry runs, according to the article. Apparently she had been practicing on various books and showed him one that the bullet didn't penetrate.The "trick" seems like it would work, in practice. However, so many things can wrong... You could two books with identical page counts and one would block the bullet and the other wouldn't, depending on the thickness, type, humidity and age of the paper and the thickness and material of the hardcover itself!That's not even counting the ammunition! Depending on the age, storage humidity, brand and several other factors the speed of the fired bullet can vary several hundred FPS.There's also a matter of if she used JHP or FMJ rounds both times. A book might easily stop a hollow point, because it mushrooms and fragments on impact, dissipating much of the energy; whereas a FMJ, especially a .50 caliber(!), would punch right through a book like it was cheese cloth.If a professional were to perform a stunt like this, they would load their own ammunition (or have it loaded), using only a tiny amount of powder (to limit the bullet's energy), use frangible ammunition and wear Kevlar (or replace the back panel of the book with Kevlar).The fact she couldn't foresee how something would go wrong is mind boggling to me.A god damned Desert Eagle. Seriously.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 11:24:52 am
content: Quote from: timb on July 03, 2017, 07:10:41 amAh, the reports that I saw were clearly edited down and didn't mention any preparation.As you say, many variables which needed to be controlled, just weren't; very sad that this lesion in life was at the expense of someone's death.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 12:33:49 pm
content: Quote from: Berni on July 03, 2017, 05:20:03 amNot sure if I understand you correct, but connecting two MOTs in series is always and should always be done with the cores grounded and primary connected out of phase to create a 2kV-0-2kV output, 4kV together. If not done that way, your MOT is not gonna last for long. (which is not gonna do anyway, if you want it just to draw some arcs with it, not even mentioning if someone pulls out the magnetic shunts to beef the output current further up). Also all those new ones have a crap and cheap aluminium windings, so they overheat even quicker.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 12:43:35 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on July 03, 2017, 12:33:49 pmI never said it was a good idea to do, just something i seen people do, just to get massive amounts of power from the poor transformers.I also seen someone put 3 of them together on to 3 phase to get even more power.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 02:00:47 pm
content: Quote from: Berni on July 03, 2017, 12:43:35 pmIf one cannot connect two in series the reasonable way, without having the core floating on 2kV against ground, he should not play with high voltage power to begin with! **Grin**See this, especially the second onehttps://youtu.be/rYQP_p7WWmEhttps://youtu.be/vfixjqWcOwg

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 02:15:14 pm
content: Or this one. That's really something

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 02:48:03 pm
content: Yep that's where i seen the 3 phase MOT. The result is rather impressive il give him that.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 03:32:55 pm
content: That was thisAwesome is his 3f socket in the bathroom. He has got three separate 1f sockets, each wired to a different phase. Clever!

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 06:19:46 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on June 29, 2017, 01:44:00 pmDarwin loses this one on a technicality; she is pregnant with her dead boyfriend's child. It only counts as a Darwin award if they die before reproducing.Quote from: timb on July 03, 2017, 07:10:41 amMy own informal experiments shooting books with various firearms leads me to believe that if she said this, then she made it up afterwards. The only thing we found which would reliably *not* penetrate a book is a .22 CB cap and I used to use these indoors with a backstop made from a telephone book.Quote from: Muxr on June 30, 2017, 12:25:32 amWhen we ran my Tesla coil for Halloween one year, I later got reports saying that it knocked out AM (expected), FM, TV (expected), *and* cable reception for a couple of blocks around my house. We did not run it the following year but only because it was so scary, that the trick-or-treaters would drop their candy and run screaming and crying down the street.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 07:13:17 pm
content: If it was a SGTC type of tesla coil, then yes, it will cause an EMC havoc. Otherwise not much likely.

author: VulcanBB18
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2017, 11:37:16 pm
content: Quote from: timb on July 03, 2017, 07:10:41 amIt really is such a shame. While they aren't (& never were) overly scientific, if they'd just watched a little Mythbusters they might have had second thoughts, at least :cheers,

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 01:53:02 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on July 03, 2017, 06:19:46 pm

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 03:38:20 am
content: Quote from: Yansi on July 03, 2017, 07:13:17 pmI had to look SGTC up and yes, it used a spark gap. The spark gap just by itself was so horrendously loud and bright that it was terrifying.Quote from: timb on July 04, 2017, 01:53:02 amAnd apparently they used a Desert Eagle in .50 Action Express which, for those who are not familiar with it, is a rebated rim cartridge intended to be used in place of .44 magnum in self loading firearms. What kind of book could she have even found which would stop that which one person could hold against their chest? I suspect it would go through as many phone books as you could stack and hold in front of you.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 05:08:03 pm
content: Quote from: David Hess on July 03, 2017, 06:19:46 pmIf you're going to say that, then how many of the Darwin awards are genuine?Plenty of men have illegitimate children they have no knowledge of and would surprise me if the figure is higher amongst those who die for stupid reasons: those who engage in risky behaviour are probably less likely to practise safe sex.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 05:58:52 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on July 04, 2017, 05:08:03 pmThey beat Darwin also; their risky behavior was not risky as far as Darwin is concerned.The news actually says they already had a daughter who is now 3 years old so the dead guy reproduced twice.