Subject: Current experiments with carbon arc
7 Jan 07

I found a relative cheep source of pencil graphite lead at the local 99cent 
store (200 sticks at 2.5” long by .9mm for .99 cents).   It encouraged me to do 
a little more experimentation.   I found the results depended a lot on length 
and size of the electrodes.   

When short say at .5 inches the optimum input voltage to start the arc was about 
38-40 volts with it dropping to 25 volts while running with a current of 1.5 
amps.    When long or about 1.2” for each then 50 volts starting and dropping to 
33 volts at 1.5 amps.   At 50 volts and short electrodes the current can get up 
to between 2 and 3 amps and the electrodes are burn up faster.  Below 35 volts I 
could not start an arc going. 

At full length of 2.5 inches for each electrode it took at least 70 volts to 
start the arc and would run at 50 volts and 2.4 amps. The bottom line is 
different voltages need to be applied as the length changes.  
 
If any moisture got on the electrodes from handling they explode and break at 
that point.  They would have to be heated slowly to avoid this.

Even at the lower currents and voltages the electrode glows red hot when in 
operation.  When the electrodes are new they need to be touched together for 
long enough to turn the graphic electrode red and burn the oil off.  They 
briefly ketch fire then the flame goes out.  During this time if too much 
current is used the electrodes will sag or bend.  

Once initialized, when the voltage is just barely enough to strike an arc one 
finds that one needs to hold the electrodes together long enough to heat them up 
to a low red and then barely separates them to get an arc started. Once the arc 
is formed depending on voltage it can be anywhere from tiny 1/32 to about 3/8 
inch long.   Even with constant hand adjustment of the arc it only lasts a few 
seconds at a time.

The bad thing about the whole process is someone needs to be looking directly at 
the arc to keep the gap short enough to work.  UV protection sun glasses are not 
enough protection.  In operation they leave spots in front of ones eyes where 
the arc is so that one cannot tell how long it is.  It is painful to look at the 
arc this way.  Welder goggles or helmet would be needed.  The UV in the light 
can permanently burn the eyes if no protection is used. 

In these crude primitive forms and without a way to manufacture electrodes -- as 
the Zetas have indicated, this would be good for a moral booster or to peak 
interest or to create an effect. I consider it not practical for growing plants. 

I am thinking if one finds carbon electrodes from old carbon zinc batteries in 
land fill areas after the PS that it would in the long run be better to use them 
to make batteries with. 



