Jacob's ladder effect.

[Ynot]

Looking ahead to my next big show in June, Young Frankenstein, I'm investigating options for effects for the lab...

The obvious biggie would be a Jacob's Ladder (or 2...)which will likely be set safely atop the upper level of the planned staging.

Now, construction of these from scratch does look to be well within my capabilities, but to save time and effort, if anyone has one or two that have already been put together, I thought I'd ask here. Even better, if they have perspex covers for them.

So - anybody??

[mac.calder]

Might be worth trying local schools... even my small rural high school in country Australia had (and probably still has) a jacobs ladder and a van de graaff generator. Both mounted nicely on  40 year old wooden bases

Edited December 30, 2021 by mac.calder

[pmiller056]

Try asking in the High Voltage and Tesla Coil maker forums. You may find someone local to you willing to help, demonstrate or lend equipment.

Do remember that a Jacobs ladder is effectively a spark-gap transmitter and will generate copious amounts of wideband RF interference. The arc is an ignition source for anything flammable nearby. Ozone and short wavelength (ie hazardous) Ultraviolet light can be produced by the arc too. Time to do a Risk assessment......

[alistermorton]

Big Clive (of course) has a video about making one. 

[Glyn Edwards]

1 hour ago, alistermorton said:

Big Clive (of course)

Well who else would it be 🙃

[cedd]

We had some on Jekyll and Hyde and they played absolute havoc with the radio mics! 

[Ynot]

19 hours ago, pmiller056 said:

Time to do a Risk assessment......

RA is already under consideration - looking at all of the obvious risks and placement/containment should mitigate most of those.

Hadn't thought of the possible RF issue, but will certainly put that to the test when I have one to try.

[Ynot]

21 hours ago, alistermorton said:

Big Clive (of course) has a video about making one. 

And (of course) that was my first place to look.  
😄 😄 😄 

[sunray]

Have you thought about a LED matrix in its place? all of the hazards gone in one go.

 

Or even a video of the real thing on a 40" screen?

[Ynot]

9 hours ago, sunray said:

Have you thought about a LED matrix in its place? all of the hazards gone in one go.

Or even a video of the real thing on a 40" screen?

Not really 

Neither will do the original effect any justice, so as long as I can ensure a safe use of the ladders, which I will do (or abandon the attempt) then that's the plan.

[sunray]

6 hours ago, Ynot said:

Not really 

Neither will do the original effect any justice, so as long as I can ensure a safe use of the ladders, which I will do (or abandon the attempt) then that's the plan.

 

 

🖕🖕

It's a shame our like votes aren't identifyable.

[Ynot]

2 hours ago, sunray said:

🖕🖕

It's a shame our like votes aren't identifyable.

But was that you giving me a double 'bird'...??
😮 😮 😮 

[david.elsbury]

4 hours ago, Ynot said:

But was that you giving me a double 'bird'...??
😮 😮 😮 

Old people and technology huh? 😉 #kidding! 😇

[sunray]

4 hours ago, Ynot said:

But was that you giving me a double 'bird'...??
😮 😮 😮 

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. NOOOOO.   I did that from my phone and thought I'd selected thumbs up.

Sadly there is a time limit on editting posts😒😬😓

[sunray]

23 hours ago, sunray said:

Have you thought about a LED matrix in its place? all of the hazards gone in one go.

 

Or even a video of the real thing on a 40" screen?

 

13 hours ago, Ynot said:

Not really 

Neither will do the original effect any justice, so as long as I can ensure a safe use of the ladders, which I will do (or abandon the attempt) then that's the plan.

Hopefully I can make amends...

 

It's a shame our like votes aren't identifiable.