Earth Electrical Energy Datalogging Experiments

[electricme]

@ All
We are not the only ones looking into earth energy, I found this just now     http://sci.tech-archive.net/Archive/sci.electronics.equipment/2006-01/msg00011.html

jim

[MileHigh]

Hey Jim,

Good luck on the project, the new schematic looks just fine.  You do have the option to look at the current like you said.  Note that when you measure the open-circuit voltage with your true-RMS meter, and then you make the output impedance measurement, you actually have enough data to derive the short-circuit current.

Without getting into a big technical discussion, for very weak earth batteries, the input resistance of the multimeter or the value of the current shunt for measuring current could affect the readings and induce a margin of error.  In other words, your measuring instrument is starting to affect your measurements themselves because what they are trying to measure is very small.  This is just a fact of life that you should at least be aware of.

Anyway, I am going to go back into "peek once in a while mode" so good luck with the project!

MileHigh

[DreamThinkBuild]

Hi all,

I tried something which is changing my view on Earth Batteries. I've been doing studies on Earth Batteries and wonder if it's not only EM energy we are picking up but naturally occurring radioactive decay. As deep radioactive material decays in the soil Alpha/Beta/Gamma particles are emitted to the surface. This could be attracted to the differential in the metals of the electrodes. The ground EM waves could be a catalyst by setting up the potential in the metals which then attract the particles.

Now I just tested something which is quite interesting. My area has high radon levels which need to be vented from the basement. Lots of granite around here. I went around the yard measuring granite rocks until I found one giving off 288-300mv, barely any amps 1-2ua. I placed it into a cardboard box and a heavy bag and smashed it to powder(wear mask and rubber gloves). I placed this "dry" powder into the EB, copper pipe with zinc rod through center sealed by rubber rings. I wasn't expecting much but I measured 703mv @ 64ua. This is completely portable now doesn't even have to be in the ground.

I came across a patent (3409820) by James O. Burke, 1964 which describes amplifying current from a radioactive source.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=hYxPAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=James+O.+Burke&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q=James%20O.%20Burke&f=false

What caught my eye is the way in Fig 2 looks like an inverted(simplified) Stubblefield with the material in the center. Two end magnets could possibly replace the DC coil. Placing a voltage on the coil "may" be able to amp up the current on your Stubblefield replications. If your using an antenna pass it through a bridge then feed the DC potential to your Stubblefield coil.

He also has this patent (3530316):
http://www.google.com/patents?id=3S5VAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=James+O.+Burke&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q=James%20O.%20Burke&f=false

There are some observations from readings of Alpha/Beta detectors which also have to be tested further with the EB.

Alpha particles are attracted to - potentials and the North pole of magnets.

Beta particles are attracted to + potentials and the South pole of magnets.

As another test to try you would have:
Alpha(-/North) should be your Northern most negative lead(Zinc)
And Beta(+/South) should be your Southern most positive lead(Copper)

Here is another interesting paper: Anomalous radon emanation linked to pre-seismic electromagnetic phenomena. Could be a reason why animals go crazy before a major geological event.
http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/7/629/2007/nhess-7-629-2007.html

[electricme]

@ MileHigh,

Hey Jim,

Note that when you measure the open-circuit voltage with your true-RMS meter, and then you make the output impedance measurement, you actually have enough data to derive the short-circuit current.

Without getting into a big technical discussion, for very weak earth batteries, the input resistance of the multimeter or the value of the current shunt for measuring current could affect the readings and induce a margin of error.  In other words, your measuring instrument is starting to affect your measurements themselves because what they are trying to measure is very small.  This is just a fact of life that you should at least be aware of.

Anyway, I am going to go back into "peek once in a while mode" so good luck with the project!

MileHigh

This is right, the EB cells output being so weak, it becomes loaded by the meters internal circuit.
If the instrument measuring the devices output, sinks more current, ie > output, it soaks up every bit of supplied energy, the output device then sees a short and will not recover until the "load" is removed.

If the EB cell can exceed the load, then we are on the way to have "real" usable energy.

It will be nice to know you will be dropping in from time to time.

jim

[electricme]

@DreamThinkBuild,

Hi all,

I tried something which is changing my view on Earth Batteries. I've been doing studies on Earth Batteries and wonder if it's not only EM energy we are picking up but naturally occurring radioactive decay. As deep radioactive material decays in the soil Alpha/Beta/Gamma particles are emitted to the surface. This could be attracted to the differential in the metals of the electrodes. The ground EM waves could be a catalyst by setting up the potential in the metals which then attract the particles.

Now I just tested something which is quite interesting. My area has high radon levels which need to be vented from the basement. Lots of granite around here. I went around the yard measuring granite rocks until I found one giving off 288-300mv, barely any amps 1-2ua. I placed it into a cardboard box and a heavy bag and smashed it to powder(wear mask and rubber gloves). I placed this "dry" powder into the EB, copper pipe with zinc rod through center sealed by rubber rings. I wasn't expecting much but I measured 703mv @ 64ua. This is completely portable now doesn't even have to be in the ground.

I came across a patent (3409820) by James O. Burke, 1964 which describes amplifying current from a radioactive source.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=hYxPAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=James+O.+Burke&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q=James%20O.%20Burke&f=false

What caught my eye is the way in Fig 2 looks like an inverted(simplified) Stubblefield with the material in the center. Two end magnets could possibly replace the DC coil. Placing a voltage on the coil "may" be able to amp up the current on your Stubblefield replications. If your using an antenna pass it through a bridge then feed the DC potential to your Stubblefield coil.

He also has this patent (3530316):
http://www.google.com/patents?id=3S5VAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=James+O.+Burke&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q=James%20O.%20Burke&f=false

There are some observations from readings of Alpha/Beta detectors which also have to be tested further with the EB.

Alpha particles are attracted to - potentials and the North pole of magnets.

Beta particles are attracted to + potentials and the South pole of magnets.

As another test to try you would have:
Alpha(-/North) should be your Northern most negative lead(Zinc)
And Beta(+/South) should be your Southern most positive lead(Copper)

Here is another interesting paper: Anomalous radon emanation linked to pre-seismic electromagnetic phenomena. Could be a reason why animals go crazy before a major geological event.
http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/7/629/2007/nhess-7-629-2007.html

All this is very interresting indeed, I have a question for you.

What did you use (tools) to smash up the rock? I ask as I want to smash a rock also lol, I have a 3 lb sledge hammer and a 5lb sledge hammer, should I place my rock in a bag like you did, or in a steel bucket, what would you recomend?

When I made my 8 inch diameter round disk, copper and zinc coated steel EB cell, I remember reading about crushed rock being used to fill between the disks, but I only used earth.
I actually wanted to use quartz chips, but couldn't find any at a resonable price, so settled for second best.

Got to find more copper pipe and make some more series cells to add to my last lot, I got distracted by other research and shed building.

jim