Nathan Stubblefield Earth battery/Self Generating Induction Coil Replications

[oscar]

....My understanding is that it is called Magnet Wire, not Magnetic Wire.  It does not have anything to do with being magnetic.  I have no real idea why it is called this ....

I think that is a correct description
That misleading name must have come about because that wire is used to wind electro-magnets (solenoids).

edit: and it is used because its insulation (enamel coating) is so thin. That makes it easy to put the copper-strands closely packed next to each other, which is good in order to merge the magnetic fields of each strand (when a current is flowing) into one big field  (= the field of the finished electro-magnet).

And this (merging the field of the individual insulated strands) is why Stubblefield calls for a densly wound primary. It is stipulated in the patent. And this is why insulation of the copper wires of the primary is important but if you use t-shirt cotton strips the wires will be too far apart for the field to merge properly, imho.

The strands of the primary of a NS coil need to be packed as densly as possible, that is to say the insulation of each strand must be as thin as possible. This is why I also think that pvc-coated copper wire (like protomom's red wire) is not ideal to wind a NS primary, as often the insulation layer of such wire is thicker than the copper strands, making close packing of the metal strands impossible.

BTW: I think we can more or less check if a NS coil is good: It is good if the current created in the primary is able to magnetize the iron core.

Then we have to do as Pirate88179 says: attach an automatic switching mechanism (inverter/multivibrator - I think one needs two transistors)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multivibrator
in order to continuously switch the field in the primary on and off so that it changes (flux change) and as a result an alternating current will be induced in the secondary. Then we can draw power from that secondary.

That's how I think it is meant to work.
But must admitt: all theory until proven.

[protonmom]

Thank you Oscar.  You and Bill have helped me a lot.  I had just assumed it meant magnetic wire.  And then, to top it off...after I uploaded those pics of the cu and alum "mag" wire spools, I went back out for another search and found that most places say to use the copper mag wire.  Erghh....why isn't there ONE standard?  We are already having enough trouble trying to pick Stubblefield's mind that we don't need MORE confusion and conjecture.  I have an idea that most businesses that sell the wire will say anything for a sale.  If I had the money, I would make one coil using the aluminum wire and one using the copper...just for comparison. 
So, on the magnetic core......are you saying that unless there is some magnetic properties in the core bolt IMMEDIATELY upon completion of wiring the primary, (before attaching the secondary) then it is NOT made right???  How much magnetic properties?  Enough to attract a paper clip ...or, more?  Thank you again for your help.  I sure need all I can get.

[oscar]

are you saying that unless there is some magnetic properties in the core bolt IMMEDIATELY upon completion of wiring the primary, (before attaching the secondary) then it is NOT made right???  ..

Let's hear what the pirate says, but Yes, I think so.
my feeling is, that the primary alone should be able to attract a paperclip, even a heavy one, if properly made.
;-)
Otherwise how should it power a secondary?
from the patent line 70
http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=US&NR=600457A&KC=A&FT=D&date=&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP

...so that the battery may be used as a self-generating electromagnet ...to secure this result  is simply required connecting the extended terminals ...5 and 6 together, after wetting or dampening ....

The problem I see, is that with the small coils we are all winding, compared to the monsters on the images from the Stubblefield farm, we would probably have to use quite fine wire to get enough turns, with the thin wire unfortunately being much harder to handle and work with. But I think it may be worth it.
But the best would be, to build one of these giants.

Maybe you get an idea how to rig up some kind of improvised winding-jig with a hand-crank or something, so that you are able to place the turns as neatly as possible.
That would be much better than twisting the coil/spool by hand on a table to wind it.
Good luck

[Pirate88179]

I agree with Oscar.  When the primary is working it should basically make the core an electromagnet.  This is why the core should be soft iron. (soft not in hardness, but this is a term for how it handles being magnetized, if I remember correctly)

Jeanna had some good posts a long time ago and, thanks to her, we found our little coils did some weird stuff to a compass so, we were getting some electromagnetic action out of them.  It is the pulsing of this electromagnet, and the collapse of the field that induces the voltage in the secondary. (As Oscar said)  The rest is left for experimentation as we never figured out the way Nathan created his pulses.

Bill

[IotaYodi]

The strands of the primary of a NS coil need to be packed as densly as possible, that is to say the insulation of each strand must be as thin as possible. This is why I also think that pvc-coated copper wire (like protomom's red wire) is not ideal to wind a NS primary, as often the insulation layer of such wire is thicker than the copper strands, making close packing of the metal strands impossible.

You probably could use the stranded pvc but it would make the coil much thicker as the pvc jacket adds considerably. There would still be a uniform magnetic field with it. The overall magnetic field intensity with multiple windings may not be as strong as with mag wire though.