Sm0ky2's modified Voss Machine

[conradelektro]

Very simple electrostatic machines:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TmoQFEk8d0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLCp68VX7NE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=notE4ugcgvk


Greetings, Conrad

[sm0ky2]

Thnx for the resources Conrad.




The machine I built is an advancement upon the original technology
Having 4 concentric charge-zones amplifies the output current significantly
The operating voltage is low due to machine tolerances (spacing of parts, insulation, etc)
But it puts out enough current to cause involuntary convulsions when touching the plates or wires.

[sm0ky2]

Update: Ion Generator 3.0 (video below)


I have insulated the plates fairly well now.
upgraded the contact brushes


Still toying with where to place them for optimal performance


Video below is running without the 'neutral' connection
Wires are moved away from the cylinder to disable it.
Capacitors have also been removed to draw current directly from
the machine.
(the noise is just the camera picking up RF from the sparks, it actually
  runs very quietly)


https://youtu.be/zBu_-MEoPd8

[sm0ky2]

I'm going to have to swap out the terminals


Over the course of 3 hours it has completely
flattened the pointy tip on my electroscopic probe.
Or maybe swap them around,.....
It's only eating away at the left side, the right terminal
is still perfectly sharp point.

[sm0ky2]

I have ran into several stability issues.


First: Faraday Drag
This is written about concerning the homopolar motor
but due to the low currents involved, I never observed
the phenomenon with my smaller machines.
I can now attest to direct observation of "electric friction".
With the brushes in non-contact, the electricity slows down
the rotor when I draw a large amount of current.
This causes a change in rotational speed and subsequently a
change in output current and frequency.


With the induction 'turned off', the motor spins up wildly out of control
switch it on and put the output dead short across a load and it stops the motor.








Second: charge densities are so great that the entire volume
of air around the machine is polarized.
Especially when I limit air-flow
Both sides are beyond the break down potential up to 10 inches
from the back side of the outer plates.
Charged capacitors and Leyden jars will self-discharge in this airspace.
There is also breakdown of the insulator(s), so that will have to be addressed.
The pick-up terminals occasionally arc to the plates, which causes a drop in
potential, and affects output sparkgap consistency.
Sometimes losing all charge and having to amp back up, which takes 2-3 seconds.




And 3rd (uncertain):
But I think at times this thing is messing with, not only my house,
but the entire power grid down the street, everything flickers during
certain experiments?
I swapped out the dc power supply, running on 9v @200mA
Then I decreased the current by adding a few 130 Ohm resistors
in parallel to cap the top speed. Think I'm up to 130/7 now, trying to find
that Goldilocks resistance.


At best, I'm getting 10-20 minute run times of what I would call
"consistent operation", that basically means to my human perception
there is no discernible change in output current, voltage, or frequency.
Then there's a 'hum', a slowing down, and a recharging.
Or just a silence, then a whole lot of electric buzz
Before returning to normal operation.