The Scariac (Poor Mans Variable Power Controller)

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Mixing water with electricity is risky, and can be lethal. However, in this project we’re using it to make one of the cheapest kinds of power controller. The Scariac.

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Butter Candle: http://bit.ly/ButterCandle
One-Way Valves: http://bit.ly/OneWayCheckValve
Balloon Blaster: http://bit.ly/WaterCannon
Arc Welder: http://bit.ly/HomemadeStickWelder

Music By: Jason Shaw (RP-DirtRoadTraveller)
http://www.audionautix.com

Project Inspired By:

http://www.youtube.com/user/acronus in the video http://youtu.be/GLBZjAd4wKg

WARNING:

This project is extremely dangerous and should only be attempted by those highly skilled in working with electricity. High voltages and high currents passing through the water provide an open hazard of electricution, and may cause death. This design does not include any electrical ground. This system is not recommended as a safe device. It’s purpose, rather, is to regulate electrical current in a simple and low cost way. Toxic gases may be released from the solution during operation. This project should not be attempted without adult supervision and adequate training. Misuse, or careless use, of tools or projects may result in serious injury. Use of this video content is at your own risk.

Project History & More Info:

I needed a way to adjust the power running to my homemade stick welding system, but had a lot of trouble finding a system that could vary electrical current without costing an arm and a leg. In a tight situation, it’s good to be aware of options, and that’s why I was happy to learn about the idea of the water resistor.

The Scariac is a name I got from www.youtube.com/user/acronus and duplicated with permission. It’s a fitting name since the system acts similar to a Variac. The idea is to use a water based medium as an electrolytic resistor. A bit of electrolyte is added to the solution to make it slightly conductive, and when two electrodes are placed in the solution, the allow more or less current to flow, depending on whether there are closer or further apart.

Although I’ve taken thought to minimize risks in operation, I have to stress that I don’t consider this device safe or fool proof. It has the potential to be lethal, and even though I show step-by-step how it was made, this is more of a “How I did” project rather than a “How to”.

Epic Context – An out of context motion-comic starring TB and Jesse

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Created by and uploaded with the permission of MadhouseSquad. A motion-comic created using out of context quotes from various TotalBiscuit and Jesse Cox videos.

Jesse Cox enters the lair of TotalBiscuit. ლ(ಠ益ಠლ) But at what cost?

Music:
“Sneaky Snitch”, “Path of the Goblin King”, “Cortosis” and “Heroic Age” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

I’ve made the decision to host this here for a couple of reasons

1) So the viewer who created this can get paid for his work by taking a share of the ad revenue on this video

2) To gauge interest for said viewer to create more episodes for the channel.

QC#7 – Liquid Nitrogen Balloon Babies

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Balloons are frozen in liquid nitrogen, then come back to life!

See the full project video: http://bit.ly/FunWithLN2

Next Video: Instant Ice: http://bit.ly/QCInstantIce
Previous Video: Electric Fire: http://bit.ly/QCElectricFire

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Music By:
Music by Jason Shaw (RP-Clattertrap)
http://www.audionautix.com

Project Inspired By:

A science demonstration my wife and I saw while visiting the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

WARNING: Use of video content is at own risk. Liquid Nitrogen is extremely cold (-196C/-321F) and can freeze skin on contact. Liquid Nitrogen should only be handled by those who understand the risks, and are skilled in dealing with extreme temperatures.

Project History & More Info:

I have a friend who built his own liquid nitrogen generator and can produce it where he works. He recently brought 20 liters of the stuff over to my house, and we spent the entire day trying different experiments with it.

One common experiment i’ve seen done a coupe of times, is placing blown up balloons in the liquid. The air inside gets so cold, it shrinks down to where the balloon looks like it’s almost completely flat. But when you take the balloon out of the liquid nitrogen and set it on a warm table, or hold it in your hands, the air inside warms up and expands, and the balloon looks like it’s blowing up by itself.

I wondered what would happen if I blew up a bunch of small water balloons with air, shrunk them all, then set them all on a warm table at the same time. This experiment makes them look like little balloon babies starting to grow up.

Although they are extremely cold, as long as you shake off the excess LN2 and move the balloons around from time to time, they are safe to hold, and inflate in the palm of your hand.

QC#6 – Electric Fire bolt

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Deadly Electricity jumps out into the air and looks like a flame.

See more high voltages: http://bit.ly/LethalElectricArcs

Next Video: Liquid Nitrogen Balloon Babies: http://bit.ly/QCBalloonBabies
Previous Video: Screaming Shivering Quarters: http://bit.ly/QCScreamingQuarters

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“Quick Clips” are clips of random experiments in a minute or less.

For other project videos, check out http://www.thekingofrandom.com

Social Media Links:

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Facebook: http://bit.ly/FBTheKingOfRandom
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Music By:
Music by Jason Shaw (RP-Clattertrap)
http://www.audionautix.com

Project Inspired By:

http://www.youtube.com/user/codemsan – (Dual MOT stack) except it looks like he removed all of his videos. Another example of a dual MOT stack would be something like: http://youtu.be/Ft7hdE79YQ8

WARNING: Use of video content is at own risk. This demonstration uses 2 Microwave Oven Transformers at 240 volts and 30 amps. This is enough voltage and amperage to kill on contact. This is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by anyone who is not highly skilled in working with electricity.

Project History & More Info:

You can see I’m using an insulated PVC pipe as a “chicken stick” to strike the arcs. I also keep one hand behind my back at all times, so there is no chance I accidentally complete the circuit with my body, and expose my heart to the risk of electric shock.

Using the Microwave Oven Transformers (MOTs) I gained in other project videos, I tried connecting two of them together in series, and hooking them to 240 vac mains power electricity. The MOTs are unballasted, meaning there is nothing limiting the flow of current, so maximum power is flowing, but this runs the risk of blowing a circuit breaker, which happens from time to time. I was comfortable taking this risk because I understand what can go wrong and how to fix it, but it’s important to also understand that if the circuit breaker fails and doesn’t pop when it’s supposed to, you can run the risk of starting a fire in the walls of your house, and I’m not sure the insurance company is going to be happy about that. So be aware of all the risks.

In any case, this is an impressive display of high voltage electricity. I believe the arcs you see are somewhere around 2,000 volts, at around 3.5 amps. This is definitely enough to kill a person on contact if it were to go through the heart.

High voltage electricity is not a joke, but it is beautiful and awe inspiring. That’s why I wanted to demonstrate it quickly in this video. Enjoy!