Van De Graaf Generators

[debh]

Where can I get a good quality Van De Graaf Generator from. We had a science demo fellow here a couple of years ago and he had a really nice one he said was really worthwhile getting but of course I can't remember the brand. Ours aren't much chop at the moment

[Whspa]

We've just bought 4 from Serrata (1052222) @ $330.00. They have a hand crank as well as being powered and come with some nifty accessories. My teachers think they're great - they give a good large spark and you can feel the static electricity building up in the room.
Hope this helps.
Carol

[Tristan]

Hi we have an IEC van de graaff generator purchased from the queensland Governments SDS catalogue. It is very good and the girls love it. It provides nice visible sparks and the belt generates quite and electric field. You can order a catalogue free from:
http://www.sdsonline.qld.gov.au
hope this helps

[Xenon]

Does everyone know this trick? Place a stack of loosely packed aluminium pie dishes upside down on the V de G. (You may have to sticky-tape the bottom dish to the sphere so they don't all slide off.) Power on and the dishes will soon fly off one at a time, due to repelling like charges.

[Vick]

David

One of my Science teachers tried the experiment with the pie dishes, without any success. Do you use a normal size dish? Our generator seems to be working properly as the teacher performed the experiment using a student holding a fluorescent tube (the tube lit up).

Thanks

Vicki

[souj]

We just use the single serve meat pie plates- works a treat!

[Xenon]

Hi Vicki. We use 18cm diameter dishes on a 25cm dome. Don't let teach do it; why should they have all the fun?

[Vick]

Thanks for the info, will try again.

Vicki

[bigmack]

Does anybody store their belts in the Fridge ?

I ask because when I did my hand over day , the old Labbie told me the silicone belt for the Van De Graaf was in the Fridge and I should always remove it after use and put it back in the fridge .

As you can imagine this is quite the PITA to do and I've never heard of it before .

[Merilyn1]

Does anybody store their belts in the Fridge ?

I ask because when I did my hand over day , the old Labbie told me the silicone belt for the Van De Graaf was in the Fridge and I should always remove it after use and put it back in the fridge .

As you can imagine this is quite the PITA to do and I've never heard of it before .

Welcome to Queensland??
Definitely not a thing in the Southern Highlands

[PeterK]

Not a Queensland thing, I've never heard of it before either. I would think the condensation from being in the fridge would make it run worse? Maybe something to do with being on the coast? Should definitely dismantle it when not in use for a while. Not that I can because both teachers and management want it up as a show piece.

[bigmack]

I would think the condensation from being in the fridge would make it run worse?

That was my thoughts too Peter. Although by the time I've buggered around getting it all back together , it's usually dried out

Does anybody store their belts in the Fridge ?

I ask because when I did my hand over day , the old Labbie told me the silicone belt for the Van De Graaf was in the Fridge and I should always remove it after use and put it back in the fridge .

As you can imagine this is quite the PITA to do and I've never heard of it before .

Welcome to Queensland??
Definitely not a thing in the Southern Highlands

Hmmm , you could be onto something there Merilyn .
Actually , just thinking , the old belts used to be rubber before they started making them of Silicone , so maybe its an old QLD trick from days before Aircons when the old rubber ones might perish in the heat.
Mind you , I now have an airconditioned Preproom , so maybe it's a non issue after all .

[Merilyn1]

Ah, yes, of course! I forgot about the rubber ones.

[RosalieL]

From google so yeah, might be from the "olden days"

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