vax1:swifty (04/14/83)
All of us have seen the "Jacobs Ladder," that marvelous toy that has the climbing arc. I would like to build one, but I have been unable to find cookbook instructions on its construction. Obviously, I could start designing one, but I'd rather read something about the device first. Are there any major constraints? I think one is that the arc must be fairly high current to heat the air (which causes the arc to rise). I will appreciate any help in locating a reference. Post to net.physics if you think it is of general interest, otherwise respond to me via mail. Steve Swift ..decvax!microsof!fluke!swifty
vax1:swifty (04/15/83)
As a follow-up: which is the best choice, AC or DC? I would guess DC because it would not try to extinguish itself by going to zero volts as AC does. Any thoughts. Steve Swift ..microsof!fluke!swifty
bormanp (04/22/83)
Using AC for a jacobs ladder works just fine. I have had one for several years, all it is is a 12,000 volt luminous transformer and a couple of wires. No problem with it it "going to zero volts", after all, ac only passes through 0 volts and does not go to 0 volts. The arc goes up to 3 or 4 inches (only 2 on a breezy day). -Paul R Borman -St. Olaf College ihnp4!stolaf!bormanp