Filed Under: backyard science, weekend projects, geek it yourself, electronics, Don't-it-yourself
If you have an old monitor sitting around (and come on: I know you do), and if you only kinda value your life, you should immediately go make this Lightning Globe, created by Instructables user NK5. It uses a light bulb, metal screening, a plain plastic plant pot... and a high-voltage power supply.
I say, "only kinda value your life," because in order to complete this project, you'll have to get the high-voltage power supply out of an old monitor, and you'll have to discharge the high voltage on your own. I'm not keen on the idea of our readers winning Darwin Awards, but this project is too cool to not post about it.
Keep in mind that this is not a plasma globe. The lightning will not flow to your fingertips if you place them on the globe. Your hair may or may not stand on end, but if it does, that's probably not a good thing: some of the other Instructables users report getting a shock after their globes were up and running. (This is one of those cases where the reader comments are particularly interesting and instructive.) If you do this project, please be extremely careful.
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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
I once had dreams of making a Mac-based aquarium with an old iMac, but abandoned the project when I learned just how dangerous discharging an old CRT can be. I read of a guy who nearly killed himself after using a 6-foot discharge stick that was grounded like you'd set up for lightning. VERY dangerous stuff!
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