Bug zapper not zapping

[news13]

How do you test the secondary coil (4KVA 6W).

Air gapped coils iron core loop and the secondary is well coated in
plastic covering, but easy access to the output.

Basically limited to some modern "electronic" multimeters.

T.I.A.

 

[Fred Smith]

On 2015-12-11, Ian Field <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:

With Christmas looming, I picked up a string of blue LEDs for the price of a
pint, not sure if it matters that they're not UV and its a few months before
I need to find out.

I found those blue light bug zappers to be very good at killing
harmless moths and useless for mosquitos.

 

[Ian Field]

"news13" <newsthirteenspam-spam@woa.com.au> wrote in message
news:n4dqlq$jhg$14@dont-email.me...

How do you test the secondary coil (4KVA 6W).

Air gapped coils iron core loop and the secondary is well coated in
plastic covering, but easy access to the output.

Basically limited to some modern "electronic" multimeters.

You could string 4x 4M7 resistors in series and see what voltage appears on
the earthy end resistor - that was a common arrangement for bleed resistors
on very early TVs when the EHT was more or less in that ballpark. might be
worth calculating the dissipation before gathering the parts together.

A straight up transformer to produce the zapping voltage wouldn't be all
that robust - the only one I've seen was an auto transformer that doubled as
the tube ballast and fed a Cockroft-Walton voltage multiplier. Most I've
seen; just use a multiplier all the way from mains to HV.

The trouble I usually have is the tubes don't last long - and the
replacements I bought die even quicker.

With Christmas looming, I picked up a string of blue LEDs for the price of a
pint, not sure if it matters that they're not UV and its a few months before
I need to find out.

 

[Ian Field]

"Fred Smith" <fred@smith.com> wrote in message
news:n4f7fk$t8s$1@speranza.aioe.org...

On 2015-12-11, Ian Field <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:


With Christmas looming, I picked up a string of blue LEDs for the price
of a
pint, not sure if it matters that they're not UV and its a few months
before
I need to find out.


I found those blue light bug zappers to be very good at killing
harmless moths and useless for mosquitos.

The best thing for moths is a computer fan strapped to the flex on the
lightbulb pendant.

Trouble is - wasps just bounce off, and get very pissed off.

 

[Rheilly Phoull]

"news13" wrote in message news:n4dqlq$jhg$14@dont-email.me...

How do you test the secondary coil (4KVA 6W).

Air gapped coils iron core loop and the secondary is well coated in
plastic covering, but easy access to the output.

Basically limited to some modern "electronic" multimeters.

T.I.A.

Maybe not measuring but can you take the output to a spark gap and see what
eventuates ??

 

[Clocky]

On 11/12/2015 2:32 PM, news13 wrote:

How do you test the secondary coil (4KVA 6W).

Air gapped coils iron core loop and the secondary is well coated in
plastic covering, but easy access to the output.

Basically limited to some modern "electronic" multimeters.

T.I.A.

Measure resistance of the coil(s) and between windings, check input
voltage and if there is a cap on the output replace it?

I kind of depends on what circuit it is, perhaps if you found one online
that corresponds with what you have and link to it it would be helpful.

 

[news13]

On Sat, 12 Dec 2015 07:25:21 +0800, Clocky wrote:

Measure resistance of the coil(s) and between windings, check input
voltage and if there is a cap on the output replace it?

I kind of depends on what circuit it is, perhaps if you found one online
that corresponds with what you have and link to it it would be helpful.

Just two wires from coil to grids.
If there is any device, it is very small under the covering.

I should be able to find a string of resistors as suggested.
That cheap bulk pack for the junk box has finally come in handy.
Lol, I might even be able to find the two ?M? ones I purchased for 2/' as
a kid when I turn up at the repair guys parts place wanting a "resistor".
I was starting my own electronics kit.

 

[800L]

On 12-Dec-15 3:32 AM, Ian Field wrote:

"Fred Smith" <fred@smith.com> wrote in message
news:n4f7fk$t8s$1@speranza.aioe.org...
On 2015-12-11, Ian Field <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:


With Christmas looming, I picked up a string of blue LEDs for the
price of a
pint, not sure if it matters that they're not UV and its a few months
before
I need to find out.


I found those blue light bug zappers to be very good at killing
harmless moths and useless for mosquitos.

The best thing for moths is a computer fan strapped to the flex on the
lightbulb pendant.

Trouble is - wasps just bounce off, and get very pissed off.

and pissed off wasps come back for seconds and thirds.

 

[Joe Hey]

On Sun, 13 Dec 2015 16:15:42 +0800
800L <8@loo.com> wrote:

On 12-Dec-15 3:32 AM, Ian Field wrote:


"Fred Smith" <fred@smith.com> wrote in message
news:n4f7fk$t8s$1@speranza.aioe.org...
On 2015-12-11, Ian Field <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:


With Christmas looming, I picked up a string of blue LEDs for the
price of a
pint, not sure if it matters that they're not UV and its a few
months before
I need to find out.


I found those blue light bug zappers to be very good at killing
harmless moths and useless for mosquitos.

The best thing for moths is a computer fan strapped to the flex on
the lightbulb pendant.

Trouble is - wasps just bounce off, and get very pissed off.


and pissed off wasps come back for seconds and thirds.

Once I've read about a device that _did_ work.

It was emitting CO2 for some time, convincing the mosquitoes there was
some breathing animal, then switched on an infra-red lamp, that could
be reached through some large hole in the pot from where also the CO2
emanated, to signal a mammal, and of course the mosquitoes would have
to pass an electrocution grid which got rid of them permanently.

It seemed to be very effective.


joe

 

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Joe Hey <joehey@mailinator.com> wrote:

Once I've read about a device that _did_ work.

It was emitting CO2 for some time, convincing the mosquitoes there was
some breathing animal, then switched on an infra-red lamp, that could
be reached through some large hole in the pot from where also the CO2
emanated, to signal a mammal, and of course the mosquitoes would have
to pass an electrocution grid which got rid of them permanently.

It seemed to be very effective.

I looked into them online a while ago. It seemed that different species
have different success rates with such devices, and nobody knows the
exact method mosquitoes use for tracking their prey. There was also
another sort of trap that involved some sort of combustion that had
to be maintained.

There was a comparison between a few of the CO2 devices online,
somewhere. I don't think it was all that scientific though.

--
__ __
#_ < |\| |< _#

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2015-12-13, Computer Nerd Kev <not@telling.you.invalid> wrote:

Joe Hey <joehey@mailinator.com> wrote:

Once I've read about a device that _did_ work.

It was emitting CO2 for some time, convincing the mosquitoes there was
some breathing animal, then switched on an infra-red lamp, that could
be reached through some large hole in the pot from where also the CO2
emanated, to signal a mammal, and of course the mosquitoes would have
to pass an electrocution grid which got rid of them permanently.

It seemed to be very effective.

I looked into them online a while ago. It seemed that different species
have different success rates with such devices, and nobody knows the
exact method mosquitoes use for tracking their prey. There was also
another sort of trap that involved some sort of combustion that had
to be maintained.

burn a fuel (eg: LPG) and you can produce both CO2 and infrared.

There was a comparison between a few of the CO2 devices online,
somewhere. I don't think it was all that scientific though.

--
\_(ツ)_

 

[Ian Field]

"Jasen Betts" <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote in message
news:n4m6rt$8bj$1@gonzo.alcatraz...

On 2015-12-13, Computer Nerd Kev <not@telling.you.invalid> wrote:
Joe Hey <joehey@mailinator.com> wrote:

Once I've read about a device that _did_ work.

It was emitting CO2 for some time, convincing the mosquitoes there was
some breathing animal, then switched on an infra-red lamp, that could
be reached through some large hole in the pot from where also the CO2
emanated, to signal a mammal, and of course the mosquitoes would have
to pass an electrocution grid which got rid of them permanently.

It seemed to be very effective.

I looked into them online a while ago. It seemed that different species
have different success rates with such devices, and nobody knows the
exact method mosquitoes use for tracking their prey. There was also
another sort of trap that involved some sort of combustion that had
to be maintained.

burn a fuel (eg: LPG) and you can produce both CO2 and infrared.

Many years ago I used to use a butane refill can and a lighter as an
improvised flame thrower for dealing with flying insects.

My cassette player had no flap on the front, and while hunting down a
persistent fly I flamed the deck and ruined a favourite tape.

AFAIK: the UK doesn't have any deadly spiders, just a few that can give a
painful nip - in my flat, spiders are allowed to get on with the business of
eating the things I'd less like to have around.

 

[Joe Hey]

On 14 Dec 2015 10:49:33 GMT
Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote:

On 2015-12-13, Computer Nerd Kev <not@telling.you.invalid> wrote:
Joe Hey <joehey@mailinator.com> wrote:

Once I've read about a device that _did_ work.

It was emitting CO2 for some time, convincing the mosquitoes there
was some breathing animal, then switched on an infra-red lamp,
that could be reached through some large hole in the pot from
where also the CO2 emanated, to signal a mammal, and of course the
mosquitoes would have to pass an electrocution grid which got rid
of them permanently.

It seemed to be very effective.

I looked into them online a while ago. It seemed that different
species have different success rates with such devices, and nobody
knows the exact method mosquitoes use for tracking their prey.
There was also another sort of trap that involved some sort of
combustion that had to be maintained.

burn a fuel (eg: LPG) and you can produce both CO2 and infrared.

Right, but I wonder how much effort would have to be put into obtaining
safety certification.

joe

There was a comparison between a few of the CO2 devices online,
somewhere. I don't think it was all that scientific though.

 

[Joe Hey]

On Mon, 14 Dec 2015 18:14:23 -0000
"Ian Field" <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:

"Jasen Betts" <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote in message
news:n4m6rt$8bj$1@gonzo.alcatraz...

}snip{

burn a fuel (eg: LPG) and you can produce both CO2 and infrared.

Many years ago I used to use a butane refill can and a lighter as an
improvised flame thrower for dealing with flying insects.

That one most certainly would _not_ get through the safety
certification procedure.

My cassette player had no flap on the front, and while hunting down a
persistent fly I flamed the deck and ruined a favourite tape.

AFAIK: the UK doesn't have any deadly spiders, just a few that can
give a painful nip - in my flat, spiders are allowed to get on with
the business of eating the things I'd less like to have around.

 

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Joe Hey <joehey@mailinator.com> wrote:

On 14 Dec 2015 10:49:33 GMT
Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote:

burn a fuel (eg: LPG) and you can produce both CO2 and infrared.

Right, but I wonder how much effort would have to be put into obtaining
safety certification.

Presumably no more than anything else that burns LPG. A bigger problem
would be the fuel cost, and that unattended continually running fires
need to be designed (and used) well to avoid setting other things
alight.

--
__ __
#_ < |\| |< _#

 

[Ian Field]

"Computer Nerd Kev" <not@telling.you.invalid> wrote in message
news:n4q0q3$aco$1@speranza.aioe.org...

Joe Hey <joehey@mailinator.com> wrote:
On 14 Dec 2015 10:49:33 GMT
Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote:

burn a fuel (eg: LPG) and you can produce both CO2 and infrared.

Right, but I wonder how much effort would have to be put into obtaining
safety certification.

Presumably no more than anything else that burns LPG. A bigger problem
would be the fuel cost, and that unattended continually running fires
need to be designed (and used) well to avoid setting other things
alight.

I'm sort of in favour of the aimed laser approach. Apparently the beam from
a DVD LD can set off match heads.

There's a few bugs to work out (excuse the pun) like what to use as a lure,
and how to trigger the LD when the critter is in the focal point etc.

 

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Ian Field <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:

"Computer Nerd Kev" <not@telling.you.invalid> wrote in message
news:n4q0q3$aco$1@speranza.aioe.org...
Joe Hey <joehey@mailinator.com> wrote:
On 14 Dec 2015 10:49:33 GMT
Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote:

burn a fuel (eg: LPG) and you can produce both CO2 and infrared.

Right, but I wonder how much effort would have to be put into obtaining
safety certification.

Presumably no more than anything else that burns LPG. A bigger problem
would be the fuel cost, and that unattended continually running fires
need to be designed (and used) well to avoid setting other things
alight.

I'm sort of in favour of the aimed laser approach. Apparently the beam from
a DVD LD can set off match heads.

There's a few bugs to work out (excuse the pun) like what to use as a lure,
and how to trigger the LD when the critter is in the focal point etc.

Upsize the laser in one of the laser lightshow devices that use a mirror
galvanometer to deflect the beam in any X-Y position.

Detecting the position of the mozzie would be the hard part. The most
distinctive emmission from a mozzie would probably be its noise when flying,
so if you set up some microphones and filter the input for the right
frequency, maybe you could triangulate the approximate position of the
mozzie and move the laser in a path around that location (circle maybe) that
makes it likely that the mozzie will be hit. The laser light show things can
move extremely fast, so keeping up wouldn't be a problem. Dealing with echos
and other influences on the sound detection would be the challenge though.

Unfortunately there's the fact that the laser beam will be burning marks into
everything in the room, including people, and potentially starting fires too.
But hey, after a few nights of itching and aerial bombardment I think most
would agree it's a price worth paying.

--
__ __
#_ < |\| |< _#

 

[Ian Field]

"Computer Nerd Kev" <not@telling.you.invalid> wrote in message
news:n4r1lq$7co$1@speranza.aioe.org...

Ian Field <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:
"Computer Nerd Kev" <not@telling.you.invalid> wrote in message
news:n4q0q3$aco$1@speranza.aioe.org...
Joe Hey <joehey@mailinator.com> wrote:
On 14 Dec 2015 10:49:33 GMT
Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote:

burn a fuel (eg: LPG) and you can produce both CO2 and infrared.

Right, but I wonder how much effort would have to be put into obtaining
safety certification.

Presumably no more than anything else that burns LPG. A bigger problem
would be the fuel cost, and that unattended continually running fires
need to be designed (and used) well to avoid setting other things
alight.

I'm sort of in favour of the aimed laser approach. Apparently the beam
from
a DVD LD can set off match heads.

There's a few bugs to work out (excuse the pun) like what to use as a
lure,
and how to trigger the LD when the critter is in the focal point etc.

Upsize the laser in one of the laser lightshow devices that use a mirror
galvanometer to deflect the beam in any X-Y position.

My idea is a much simpler fixed LD - but that requires a pin point lure so
the insect only settles where the beam goes.

On that basis a break beam opto sensor would be entirely sufficient.