High Voltage + Moist Sand = Glass Fractals

[haloexpert96]

Where can I find a distribution transformer like this? I can only think of scrap yards but any advice would be appreciated.

[darksinthe]

NOW you need to make a glass fractal FOREST!!!!! WOOOO!!!!! lol

[RODALCO2007]

Very nice experiment. nice structures.

I haven't got a 34.5 kV transformer but will have a go at 6 kV with electrodes closer together

[ChumpusRex]

@RODALCO2007 Couldn't you just "borrow" one of the big ones from work. :) LOL

[yoyoj3d1]

@TheAluminiumklorid Why thank you. We <3 the pole pig.

[SSGVET1970]

@yoyoj3d1 Great video...I only recently found it. Very interesting!

[aleks8825]

You got the electric company knocking at your door every day? Growing something? haha

[yoyoj3d1]

@aleks8825 Highest numbers: 240 volts at less 30 amps for 30 minutes that ends up being 3.6 kWh.

But really its more like: 240 volts at 10-20 amps (average) for 10 minutes which is more like 0.4-0.8 kWh.

In Washington state, its something $0.08 per kWh (at most). So the biggest fulgurite I've ever made cost about $0.20 in electricity.

[cml4456]

i came here after watching "Sweet Home Alabama."

[yoyoj3d1]

@cml4456 Awesome. I haven't seen it yet, but its the biggest pop culture reference I have access to.

[bushiman32]

thats sick



[Ayomide345]

this is why you don't pick on nerds in the 21'st century.

[yoyoj3d1]

@Ayomide345 That and I can put your hand in my quarter shrinker.

[ultimutwar]

What kind of sand did you use, I'm interested in attracting lightning to make fulgurites, but I'm not sure on what type of sand. I've heard that quartz(silica) sand, or beach sand, is the best. But, my mind is open enough to try different types

[yoyoj3d1]

@ultimutwar I use quartz sand. Its like $10 for 50 lb at home depot. My first fulgurites were out of "play sand" which is a dark grey instead of whiteish. In my opinion they looked like cat-poop, so I switched to the white quartz sand.

We've also done experiments zapping garnet powder (rich purple stuff). The hope was purple fulgurites... but alas, it seems as tho the chemistry that makes garnets red either gets burned off or something. They ended up black and quite cat-poop looking again.

[yoyoj3d1]

@ultimutwar Attracting lighting is tricky. A bolt's path is apparently un-affected by stuff on the ground until the bolt is just 50 feet above the tallest objects in the area. In practice, this means if a bolt was going to hit your beach, you can put metal rods in and get 'em to go where you want. If a bolt doesn't get near enough your beach... rods won't help.

Now rockets... that's where its at. Simple rocket. Coil of thin wire. Like they do at the University of Florida to call down lightning.

[KanyeTroll]

you should send the fulgurites to a fossil museum, say that they are dinosaur bones!!! you can make million from it!

[yoyoj3d1]

@TheAluminiumklorid thanks! I need to finish the bridge rectifier I'm building for it. DC Fulgurites!!

[jackbennermd]

really neat. I enjoyed your video a lot. How in the world can I get my hands on a transformer? You should sell your fulgurites! They're valuable.

[yoyoj3d1]

@jackbennermd Not sure where to get yourself a pole pig. They're around in the right communities. Check out some ham-radio or tesla swap meets. Any advice where to hawk 'em? I had some up on etsy, and some for sale at Ada's Technical in Seattle, and I've sold zero so far.

[lexmark136]

neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerds

lol

[yoyoj3d1]

@lexmark136 Thank you; I've worked hard to become so.

[MrJcbe]

@lexmark136 and your a loser stoner, who will never make as much money as him because you will spend it on weed and boo's while he makes even cooler inventions, sells them, and becomes a multi-billionaire. so fuck off :D

[lexmark136]

@MrJcbe and you're the illiterate retard that will neither do drugs, nor make any money, forever living his his moms basement as a boring virgin.

[MrTurboturbine]

really cool!

[yoyoj3d1]

@MrTurboturbine Thanks! Its a lot of fun!