Static grass applicator

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Wed, 2012-12-12 08:53 — torikoos

Hi all,

I've recently made a static grass applicator, using the parts of an electronic fly swatter, and a tea strainer.

I would like to make a slightly better/stronger one, using an old yogurt pot etc (they are easier to fill with static grass and won't spill over the sides. Also their plastic housing makes it possible to tap it a little with one hand without getting a shock.) I like the 'poor mans version' of the Noch grass master, as Joe Fugate demonstrates in his ten mile creek series. (excellent series of video's by the way, I can recommend them , as well as Mike's Algash scenery series but that's a whole different subject).

I'm looking for supliers of 12V negative ion generators. They seem to be very hard to come by. There are a few suppliers on e-bay, but I have not found any located in Europe that do , it seems the electronics shops do not sell them , I can only think this is because of safety concerns, but it seems like the build your own 'quick and easy' options are seriously difficult.

Reason for looking in europe is because that's where I'm located, and don't want to be hit with excessive shipping charges or import taxes etc.

Can anyone help?

Thanks, Koos

Add a cup

Wed, 2012-12-12 09:35 — ratled

Koos, the 12v are hard to come by these days but don't fret, when I made my 1st fly swatter I had the same problem. You can add a cup to the fly swatter. Just cut out the bottom and glue in the screen. Hook the wire as in the Noch off. It does give you a lid to add material and doesn't;t fly over the sides. It also gives a flat bottom which,IMO, gives you better coverage and makes harder to make contact with the grounding pin. No more "What the flock was that" as $6 worth of grass goes everywhere but where you want it.

It not the same as the Noch off with the yogurt cup, but it works good enough until you can locate a 12v generator

Steve

http://klamathline.blogspot.com/

More power

Wed, 2012-12-12 10:07 — rickwade

I was fortunate in that I got a 12 volt unit before they were discontinued. You can see mine and others here.

The unit I have puts out 15,000 volts and does a great job of making the grass stand up. Less voltage will still work; however, you may need to hold the unit closer to the surface to which you are applying the grass.

Rick

The Richlawn Railroad Website - Featuring the L&N in HO / MRH Blog / MRM #123

Mt. 22: 37- 40

12V Neg ION Module Sources...

Wed, 2012-12-12 11:02 — Kevin Rowbotham

Model trains video, MRH's parent company still has a link to order the 12V module, It's not in Europe, but IIRC they are $25US, shipped anywhere in the world.

http://model-trains-video.com/MTV-0011.php

I've still got one 12 volt module left over...I've been thinking about making my own high powered bug vaporizer!

You can also order the module from Oatley Electronics, but again not in Europe.

My personal favorite, the "no user serviceable parts" model, rated at 120 VAC input, is still available in the US too. These units though, are powered by 120 VAC line current, which can kill you if you don't know what you are doing. Don't try this at home unless you take full responsibility for your own actions. Being in Europe brings in the potential for working with 240VAC,even more reason for the inexperienced to avoid the AC module.

~Kevin

Appreciating Modeling In All Scales but majoring in HO!

Not everybody likes me, luckily not everybody matters.

Neg Ion sources

Wed, 2012-12-12 11:53 — torikoos

Thanks, it seems incredible that these items are not available in Europe, but we have one or two vendors in the US, perhaps some in Australia, and I found some in Hong Kong on e-bay, but they only ship minimum orders of 100, but they are only a few dollars each in that case...

If all else fails I'll get mine from Australia I guess, and see if I get hit hard by import taxes as our beautiful customs will also add the value of the postage to the item contents, it makes you reach the VAT threshold quicker so you get to pay, while I don't mind paying taxes, their tactics feel criminal, but they get away with it, as people like myself, just can't be bothered having to fill in several forms and hoping for a decision to get it refunded etc....

Koos

it seems incredible

Wed, 2012-12-12 12:17 — Kevin Rowbotham

it seems incredible that these items are not available in Europe

I know, the modules are hard to find generally. I am in Canada and have not found a source for them here either.

My best guess is it's a NOCH conspiracy! [wink]

You can't go wrong with Oatley Electronics. They were my supplier for the modules when I was still providing them for MRH forum members. Great to deal with, fast to ship. I believe Model Trains Video gets theirs from Oatley as well.

our beautiful customs will also add the value of the postage to the item contents

Yeah that's a cheap shot, adding the shipping in.

Anyway, Model Trains Video, or Oatley, both are good to deal with.

~Kevin

Appreciating Modeling In All Scales but majoring in HO!

Not everybody likes me, luckily not everybody matters.

model train video's

Thu, 2012-12-13 10:20 — torikoos

Done, ordered it from MTV (model train videos), I dealt with them several times downloading several videos and ordered some DVD's. , now a negative ion generator. :-) Thanks for the tips .

Much easier than setting up a new account with Oakley.

Will post again when I have build my own applicator. :-)

Koos