Electromagnet pulse coil powered by static charge

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using static electricity to power an electromagnet coil, specifically exploring the generation and storage of static charge using spinning disks and its potential to create an electromagnetic pulse. Participants consider various methods, including the use of Leyden jars and capacitors, while discussing the necessary electrical characteristics for effective operation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using a capacitor instead of a Leyden jar for storing charge, noting that capacitors can effectively store energy for pulsing an electromagnet.
  • There is a discussion about the importance of current and coil design, with some participants emphasizing that the number of coils and the current per coil are critical for the electromagnet's effectiveness.
  • One participant mentions that static charge is characterized by high voltage and low current, which may not be suitable for driving an electromagnet effectively.
  • Concerns are raised about whether spinning disks can generate sufficient charge without contact or brushes, with a participant seeking clarification on the practicality of this method.
  • Another participant describes an experiment involving static charge and a coil, noting that a coil can create a voltage spike when current flow is disrupted.
  • There are suggestions for using enameled wire and optimizing coil winding to maximize performance.
  • One participant proposes an alternative method of generating electrical power by spinning a magnet across coils of wire, indicating that this might be a more straightforward approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of using static charge versus capacitors for energizing the electromagnet. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the viability of using spinning disks to generate sufficient static charge.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations related to the assumptions about charge generation, the characteristics of static electricity, and the practical challenges of implementing the proposed methods.

Jdo300
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Hello, I have a question concerning electromagnet coils and static electricity. If one were to generate a static charge and store it up some how (like in a Leyden jar or something), and that charge was then dumped over a small electromagnet, would there be enough energy to provide a small electromagnetic pulse from that coil? I know I am probably not providing enough information here but my idea is to use two spinning disks spinning close together to build up a static charge and store it into a Leyden jar. Then I want to use that charge to momentarily pulse a small coil, which in turn would repel a small magnet hanging from a string. Do electromagnet coils need a high wattage in order to produce a good powerful spark, or would a high voltage at low amps be sufficient? Also, what kind of wire would be appropriate for something like this?

Thanks,
Jason O
 
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Hi

you could do this with a capacitor, store up all the energy you needed by connecting it across a pc computer 5v power supply to charge it, then connecting the electromagnet, like a speaker, across it.

you could use transistors for switches controlled by some other voltage, but it would move a magnet hanging on a string

the capacitor value? the highest farad rating possible, and the voltage is whatever volts you work with, but guess high.

electromagnets work on current, the leyden jar is a voltage storing device unless I am mistaken, of course there is volts/current but moving motors takes more current than most other things take. converting across? only if you have to.

spinning disks? if you need to have the disks this would work as you described



Jdo300 said:
Hello, I have a question concerning electromagnet coils and static electricity. If one were to generate a static charge and store it up some how (like in a Leyden jar or something), and that charge was then dumped over a small electromagnet, would there be enough energy to provide a small electromagnetic pulse from that coil? I know I am probably not providing enough information here but my idea is to use two spinning disks spinning close together to build up a static charge and store it into a Leyden jar. Then I want to use that charge to momentarily pulse a small coil, which in turn would repel a small magnet hanging from a string. Do electromagnet coils need a high wattage in order to produce a good powerful spark, or would a high voltage at low amps be sufficient? Also, what kind of wire would be appropriate for something like this?

Thanks,
Jason O
 
The electro magnet works off the number of coils and amount of current per coil. If you're winding your own coil you'll likely want to find some enameled wire of the smallest gauge possible to maximize the number of turns and wind them as tighly and neatly (could be with a drill) on a steel core of some kind. I'm also picturing a very small magnet moving a very small amount on this string next to this coil.

A static charge is very high volts and very low current due to the poor conductors involved. If the voltage was not very high it would not be able to overcome the high resistance of the poor conductors. Something like a capacitor for a camera flash would be a cheap thing to try to store the charge in, and I'd guess it'd take a while to generate sufficient amounts of charge for even that.

You'd have a far easier time trying to generate electrical power by spining a magnet across some coils of wire but maybe that's outside what you're trying to do... Or even better a classic example like two ballons on a string rubbed against a wall and watch the like charges repel each other. But maybe those are too easy... :smile:
 
charging up a Flash Capacitor to 5V or even 12V is a good idea , , i also liked the idea of using a speaker coil..
But using a transistor will just waste power, besides a switch will suffice..or just touch the wires together..
 
Hello,

Thank you all for the help. Yes, my major concern was understanding if the two disks spinning past each other would actually build up sufficient charge to pulse the coil. And I'm still not sure if this will work as far as the disks go. Just to clarify, the idea here is that the static charge builds up on the disks from them spinning very close to each other, but they don't ever make contact with each other and there are no brushes to rub them against each other. Before I can shell out the rest of the idea, I need to know if this part is even doable.

- Jason O
 
A coil sparks at disruption of a current.
I don't see how charge and coils are comparable electrically.
The coil property is to CONTINUE current flow.
Thus a coil makes an instantaneous voltage spike to breakdown air at the disconnect.

What I have seen done with a coil and charge:
A static charge from rubbing wool on a plate with insulated handle
induced a charge into a conical coil.
The coil self resonated and the teacher demonstrated how the whole
class holding hands felt a tingle of electricity.
Something less than 28v bell wire AC or from a model train transformer.

So the charge was small and generated high voltage AC.

What I hear supposed about coils and charge:
That a conical coil induced with AC will generate charges.

A magnet from a string might not react but a coil might if the charge
induction into a resonant circuit works.
This sounds like some idea to power a car with a static generator.
 
if you want this to work, build it by this formula Hp = 1/2(p-eac)+edc
 

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