Static grass applicator

[Guest]

I don't think the glue can be the problem (unless the grass particles became saturated with glue, or in some way they fell lying down. In which case the particles would probably be too trapped to stand up). The particles need to be more or less vertical as they touch the glue, and that in turn requires a strong enough electric field.

I think you need to establish whether the device is actually providing static electricity, and enough of it down at the level of the particles. To test this you could get rid of any glue problem by wetting with water quite thoroughly some plywood, particle board or hardboard or similar, to simulate the PVA glue but without it being sticky and trapping the grass particles, while also allowing the static electricity to be conducted all over the area (water conducts electricity, dry wood etc.won't). To be absolutely sure, dissolve a little salt in the water-salty water is a good conductor of electicity.) Put the nail (the one with the wire) into the wet bit.

Then put the sieve, filled with some grass, over the area, as close to the wet board as you can, shake and let the particles fall. If there is a strong enough field they should stand upright as they touch the wetness. If they do, you have enough electric field. If they don't, it would seem that it is not strong enough for some reason.

I have never used a static grass applicator so am just using logic (not always a good guide!)

[monica]

hi Steve,thank you ,for your help as well, you know i think you hit the nail on the head o_O, the grass did seen to be laying down when ,it come out off the ,tea strainer ,

but that of adding a little salt ,could real help as well ,It very good to think about it in a logical way, as you are right, so maybe its all the strainer, having ,

too big off holes, or the static field has not build up to make it fall,upright when shaken, so they all sideways ?

I think Richi said to wait a little before using giving time for the static to build up , there is no real reason why it dose not work, or it just wont's to mess up my day

[Guest]

I fancy a go at making one of them but all i have around the house is a Scalextric Power unit, could i use this.

[ATTACH]80584.IPB[/ATTACH]


It's 220-240v input and 13.5v DC 10VA output !!!

I think it would help my Dio's no end.

Any help on this subject plz, Thanks in advance

John

[monica]

hi John i did find this link,

http://csxdixieline.blogspot.com.au/2010/06/howto-static-grass-applicator.html,

which uses a ion generator, from Oakley Electronic ,the first link,

http://secure.oatleyelectronics.com//product_info.php?products_id=915&osCsid=7c3392ee87 948e3f4704323c16a7c6c2'>http://secure.oatleyelectronics.com//product_info.php?products_id=915&osCsid=7c3392ee87 948e3f4704323c16a7c6c2

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OATLEY-ELECTRONICS-IONB2-GRASSINTOR-HIGH-VOLTAGE-MODULE-/111315647238?pt=AU_Toys_Hobbies_Model_Railways&has h=item19eaedfb06

i did find these one on evilbay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2053587.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X12 V+DC+Ion+generator&_nkw=12V+DC+Ion+generator&_saca t=0&_from=R40

but dont know if they do the same as this type,

http://secure.oatleyelectronics.com//product_info.php?products_id=915

which I think would have a lot more power, just saw the fly swatter in the shop yesterday, as I,m waiting for the part ,

hope this is a help

[tanktrack]

hi monica I have just thought of something else , the nail/pin needs to be in the pool of glue ie pva to complete the circuit asit completes the "field" circuit ,

[Guest]

I fancy a go at making one of them but all i have around the house is a Scalextric Power unit, could i use this.[ATTACH]80519[/ATTACH]

It's 220-240v input and 13.5v DC 10VA output !!!

I think it would help my Dio's no end.

Any help on this subject plz, Thanks in advance

John

All the elecrostatic generators that I have seen use something like two AA batteries (=3 volts) as a power source. 13.5 V would very probably damage it beyond repair.

[Ian M]

Just seen a couple of videos on You Tube where he made one from a fly zapper. It was rather easy by the look of it. I might have a go at one, if I can find one of those zapper things in a pound shop some time.

Ian M

[monica]

hi Steve / Steve

thank you, for stopping by yes I did , that but come to think off it, my base is dirt, so ever so using 50/50, maybe it is not a good conductor,

so its not , make the best of static fields, ? and as Steve ask what the grass was doing, it was laying down, at the start so

it could not be pulled up,

I have it running off a 9v battle which it should be able to handle it,

but it dose lift it some way that is better than just plane flat flock

[Ian M]

I am confused when you are saying that it lifts the grass a bit and that the grass was laying down.

This to me sounds like some thing is amiss.

In the video I saw the grass was in the sieve thing and shaken down onto the charged glue so it landed "standing up". He to did have the sieve quite close to the base.

Ian M

[monica]

Hi Ian, oh Im sorry i do that,ops:

thats the whole point why I,m disappointed with it,I do as in the video, put down my 50/50 water glue, put a pin in it, hold the

thing over the wet area, and then shake it, but a lot off the grass lays down,say sideways not standing up as it should,

or the holes are to big in the strainer , so it can fall wrong, dose that make sense ?

[tanktrack]

Ian if you cant get 1 I have a spare zapper

[Ian M]

cheers i will let you know if I need it.

Ian M