I have a Solar powered DC electric fence unit. If you touch the wire you are subjected to a 10,000 Volt / 600Ma surprise. Could this be turned into a Static Grass Applicator. I would let the technician in the family help me out on this project. But it seems like a possibility with a resister added if need be. Any thoughts?
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Maybe? I suspect it's a bit large though. There have been several DIY projects that make them no bigger than the commercial ones, using the guts of some cheap tennis racket shaped bug zapper. Several electronic supply palces have various static generators for cheap, add a housing and screen and you have a static grass applicator for a fraction of the cost of the Noch. These are probably a much better option than trying to use an electric fence.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The output voltage is 'in range', but 600 ma is a lot of current. Most of the static grass machines put out 3,000v to 15,000v at much lower current capacity. That is a little over-kill but should work. The problem is it's bulk and how easy will it be to work with on the layout. You can build one for around $25. Or, you can buy an assembled kit for $35-50. The Noch one is way over-priced.
Here is a web link to a good one:
http://www.ztrains.com/pages/tech/grassinator/grassinator.html
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Brent,
Surely the 600mA is a mistake as anything above 60mA 120v or 30mA 240V can be fatal (This why Earth Leakage Units, or whatever you call them in North America, are set to trigger at low currents).
10 kV @ 600mA is almost sure to be fatal under certain conditions.
Dave
I think the electric fence source is a bit of overkill. You want static voltage with very, very low current. I'm sure the noch applicator is in the micro amp range. You want something that won't kill your dcc controller if there's an arc. While the current noted earlier is probably not correct, even a few milliamps at that voltage will damage your controller and the person using it.
By the way in order to get 600ma at 10kv you would have to supply 120volt at 50 amps.
1000volts divided by 120volts is 83.33 ratio.
83.33 times 600ma is 50amps.
Springfield PA
Thanks guys, I went with the flyswatter idea. Hamltnblue, power getting back into the rails is something I didn't even think about. I must be wrong about the output on the electric fence. All I can make out on the old unit is that it powers 40 miles of fence. That's not bad for Solar power. The circuit board is even smaller than the one in the flyswatter though. Maybe I can dig up the manual for it and check the power output. Thanks again.