Question is, will the static damage a decoder?
Went to the Boston Museum of Science with my grandmother's sister, years ago. The man had his hand on the static generator, my aunt tried to get me to put my hand up. I was a country kid, knew about electric fences. No Thanks. She kept crowding me closer and closer. My mother said she could see him watching me and when my aunt had her hand on me he reached out and touched my hand. I had on sneakers, she had old ladies shoes on. Guess who got zapped?
I seem to get zapped, sneakers, slippers or winter rubber boots.
Have fun,
Richard
JPDBy accident I found the solution to the static shock problem: shoes! When I wear my clogs I get shocked. When I wear my walking shoes the shocks are reduced by 95 percent!
if you have seen older movies of Tesla et al. with high-voltage experiments you will appreciate that good insulators in your shoe soles greatly augment your effective 'capacitance' rather then "insulate you from electron flow". And remember that different combinations of materials can 'charge' either way: you can become 'electron-deficient' in dry air about as easily as 'charged up' (some people, Benjamin Silliman Jr. prominently among them, subscribed to the wacky equal-opposite-current theory of electricity through misunderstanding this as an effect of 'positive' and 'negative' electrical charge carriers).
Probably the best short-term solution, as you note, is to use the right kind of 'compatible' material in shoe soles vs. flooring type (and it need not be carpet, as many Kroger shoppers realize to their horror in the 'static season' )
Perhaps a fallback solution is to wear an ESD wrist strap or similar, with a lead that can be grounded instead of nerve-rich fingertips. When I was around six years old and learned what those fascinating chains jingling with so many sparks under gasoline tank trucks were for, I tried walking around trailing a little conductive brush from stripped lamp cord -- it can work, but it may also make people stare a bit...
By accident I found the solution to the static shock problem: shoes! When I wear my clogs I get shocked. When I wear my walking shoes the shocks are reduced by 95 percent!
There's a metal support post in my basement not far from the trainroom door. If I've just taken off my jacket, I can get a real jolt. Just try to rememberr to touch it before going into the trainroom, as much as I ain't too pleased to get zappped. (Beter than buying new decoders.)
If I put a little carpet down, York1's idea of using Static Guard is the same product I have used when working with extruded foam. (MESSY).
Will give it a try.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I will go with a humidifier, but I also think I will keep it at 50% or less. Also, I am going to put a metal plate near the entrance that I will get in the habit of touching when I enter.
selector People who get zapped by their door handles or light switches soon learn to touch the item with keys instead.
People who get zapped by their door handles or light switches soon learn to touch the item with keys instead.
For reasons I don't fully understand, I don't get zapped when I touch the car door while getting out, but will get zapped when I touch the handle at the gas pump. Or did, because years ago I developed the habit of touching the car's body and discharging my static before getting gas.
Around here, you need two machines. In the summer, my basement would get to 70% easily without a dehumidifier. In winter, it's now around 30%. I should probably get a humidifier. Not too much static though since the floor is stll just cement (but painted). I have no itnention of installing carpet anywhere near the layout, at best carpet tiles or rubber mats to make it comfortable to stand.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If you do use a humidifier, try and keep the % of humidity below 50%. Anything over will rapidly promote the health of microscopic critters, and mold.
I learned this from a variety of classes that I took while doing home inspections.
Mike.
My You Tube
A very low-tech option comes from a professor in our Social Sciences Department (History, Government, Geography, etc.) at my college. She taught Geography as well as a few other things I don't remember. (It's been about 20 years ago folks.) I was an office aide for the department as a work-study. She had a lot of baskets made from natural materials. As North Dakota can get quite dry at times, she would have open jars of regular water around her office. The water would evaporate into the air as needed. I don't remember how often they needed refilled but it wasn't very often as I recall. (Once every couple weeks or so.) It didn't cause problems with any of her books nor was the office overly humid. Something to think about.
Henry) Explosive anesthetics? I have to admit, thats a heck of a way to remove tonsils. Never really thought about it but your right. Wonder what they use now??? Back to a rubber mallet maybe?
In general) Thankfully ive never had this problem. But you folks actually put a humidifier in the train room? With all that exposed woodwork amongst other railroad stuff i wouldnt think that would be a good thing to do. I take it, you dont have any problems doing this?
As for discharging the static itself, i cant recommend you touch the rails or any other part of the layout. Even if your holding something like a 'key'. I suggest a firm handshake with the wife, or a loving pet right on the cats nose before operating.
Its cheaper, handy, will not hurt your layout at all, shows love for the family units, it works, and its also very entertaining. Now seriously, has anyone posted something better than that?
PMR
A. Fix the room's humidity as has been suggested; or
B. Get in the habit of touching the rails with a metal file, length of bared wire, metal uncoupling tool, or some other conducting material that you leave near the edge of the layout.
My new recliner had a fabric that caused lots of static. I bought a can of this, and it solved the issue for months. It can be sprayed on carpets and other fabrics.
I didn't know about Downy -- it would probably be a little cheaper.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
I have two Aircare MA0800 humidifiers in our house. First floor and second floor. I don't have one in the basement with the layout. They work extremely well for us. The water tank is easily removed from the unit to fill, which is once or twice every 24 hours. Fortunately the layout basement stays around 30-35% humidity during the winter In Massachusetts. Part of which might be due to the humidifiers? Only minor downside is once during the season you need to replace the wick/filter. About $16 each. But well worth it for comfort. I suffer from winter nose bleeds and these help significantly. Fortunately my layout room has three lally columns within it so I'm in the habit of touching one every time I come near one. Most time no discharge.
If you decide to get a humidifier, place it in the open room as recommended rather than under the layout. That way the entire room soaks up the moisture. I don't think it's a wise idea to place a humidifier under ANYTHING. And you're less likely to forget to turn off it off when you exit the train room.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Health wise I would like more humidity.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Many years ago when our Police Communications Center went with Computers for the two-way radio system the custodians would put a light spray of Downy on the carpet to stop the static shock. They would spray every Sunday evening and that stopped the shock and no more static dinging the Com Equipment.
The fix was static free carpet.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I wore these for years after explosive anesthetics went away. They are still available
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shoe-covers-Laminated-Conductive-Strip-Blue-X-Large-150pair-Case/321990580231?hash=item4af8225807:g:QxsAAOSwoydWmdAf
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Good idea. There are ways. Google it.
It's that time of year!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Spray the carpet where you are getting shocked with Downy Wrinkle Spray, one shot should last about a week. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I have kept a floor type humidifiewr running during the winter for some years to keep the humidity up. Bought it from Amazon about ten years ago. I use Prime and Smile also. I keep a couple filters on hand.
I have a metal spot to touch, just in case. I figured out a way that does not shock.
OK, I am tired of being zapped when I touch the tracks. I also fear ruining a DCC chip.There is a wonderful gas fireplace next to my layout room in the basement. I turn on the fireplace and in a few minutes the basement is toasty and welcoming. However, I have noticed that when the fireplace has been on I start getting static electriciy shocks. This is not a problem in the summer.I have a humidifier on the nearby furnace, but it clearly cannot keep up with the fireplace. This is not an issue one the first floor.
Should I buy a portable humidifier and place it under the layout? Can anyone recommend a model or manufacturer? Or is there a better solution to this problem? I welcome any help and appreciate it.