Build Van de Graaff

This is a brief overview of my van de graaff followed by a few sparks. I've recently started buying parts to make another one. This time I'm going to make a few adjustments and well document the whole process.

Since the audio sucks and I mumble here's a written discription of my machine:

I used a 3 prong plug. The bottom comb is attached to ground and the other live wires run the motor. (something I didn't read anywhere but works well)

I have a sewing machine motor on a dimmer switch so I can vary the speed. The bottom roller is made from a 3/4" nylon pipe tee. The top roller is a pvc coupling on small bearings. Bearings are important! Don't use something makeshift.

The belt is a stretching excersice rubber. Look up Theraband. It's like that. Don't use black rubbers since they may be slightly conductive.

The housing is a clear plastic pail I had and some 3" pvc pipe. The sphere is two bowls taped together with electrical tape.

There is a comb near the top roller which is attached directly to the bowl.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• build
• make
• van
• de
• graaff
• graf
• graaf
• graff
• homemade
• spark
• static

[SuperTrackstar22]

So what are the brushes connected to any help would be grate thanks

[joesbees]

@SuperTrackstar22 the top brush is connected to the sphere. The bottom brush is attached to ground on mine. On most the bottom brush is just connected to a large chunk of metal such as the motor.

[EMW214]

How far should my brushes be from the belt?

PS: Sorry for all the questions

[joesbees]

@EMW214

It's about 1/8" or 1/4" somewhere in there. my bottom brush is attached right to ground via the third plug in a 3 prong plug. Most people attach it to a large chunk of metal such as their motor.

[bamaslamma1003]

That is AWESOME!! Would love to make one someday. Does it hurt when it arcs to your hand?

[mhytbuster52]

How did you bild it? can you send diagram please.Thanks.

[hadabeesago]

hi i really like your quality work in putting that thing together, i am almost done building mine, since yours is doing a good job in producing good voltage i was just wondering, i read somewhere that said it is better to put the brushes on the side where the belt is rolling away or off from the roller, does this matter or do you know which side works better to put the brushes at and can i put brushes on both sides of one roller to make it more effective, or to eliminate guessing??

[criso1994]

Im gunna have a second attempt at building one now, mines as small as they can get lol

[72fr250]

You should get a beach ball and wrap it in aluminum duct tape. Makes a good, smooth top load that can be any size.

[72fr250]

You should get a beach ball and wrap it in aluminum duct tape. Makes a good, smooth top load that can be any size.

[AHW214]

If the hole in the bottom bowl isn't covered there might be some corona discharge.

To increase voltage, you might want to consider putting a piece of slit clear tubing on the hole in the bottom bowl. BTW AHW214 and EMW214 are both my channels.