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Step 7Fiddling and Debugging
This VDG design works well when it works, but can be very vexing when it doesn't.
Don't lose heart.
If you apply power to the motor and it doesn't turn, remove power immediately.
Attach a thin strip of toilet paper to the collector. As the collector charges, the tissue paper will rise. If you've got things working well, it will rise quickly and point almost straight up. You can also get a good idea how well the collector is charging by holding it close your ear. You will feel a stronger pull on the tiny hairs on your ear as well as hear more static crackles and pops when the VDG is working well.
If the rubber band is too tight the motor will not turn or turn slowly. Push the column further into the Tee or remove a bit of PVC from the end of the column.
If the rubber band is too loose it will make poor contact with the rollers and not turn it as fast as it could. If the rubber band slaps around pull the column out of the Tee a little. If the column is way too short you'll have to cut another longer one.
Make sure the combs aren't touching the belt. The combs should be about an eightth of an inch from the belt. Remember you didn't tape down the bottom comb so you could adjust it; once you've found the optimal distance secure it.
Van de Graaff generators will fail to work when the air is very humid. Use a hair dryer to blow out any moisture from inside the VDG.
Make sure you're touching the ground wire when you hold the handle.
When not using your VDG, unhook the rubber band so it doesn't deform and lose its elasticity.
Taping the bottle neck to the collector along with some extra tape on the bottom of the collector will help prevent losses due to brush discharge.
If you use an ohmeter to test the resistance of the inside of the can, you'll see that it has a nonconductive coating. The coating makes little difference at the high voltage a Van de Graaff generator produces, so don't bother scraping the coating off the can.
Don't lose heart.
If you apply power to the motor and it doesn't turn, remove power immediately.
Attach a thin strip of toilet paper to the collector. As the collector charges, the tissue paper will rise. If you've got things working well, it will rise quickly and point almost straight up. You can also get a good idea how well the collector is charging by holding it close your ear. You will feel a stronger pull on the tiny hairs on your ear as well as hear more static crackles and pops when the VDG is working well.
If the rubber band is too tight the motor will not turn or turn slowly. Push the column further into the Tee or remove a bit of PVC from the end of the column.
If the rubber band is too loose it will make poor contact with the rollers and not turn it as fast as it could. If the rubber band slaps around pull the column out of the Tee a little. If the column is way too short you'll have to cut another longer one.
Make sure the combs aren't touching the belt. The combs should be about an eightth of an inch from the belt. Remember you didn't tape down the bottom comb so you could adjust it; once you've found the optimal distance secure it.
Van de Graaff generators will fail to work when the air is very humid. Use a hair dryer to blow out any moisture from inside the VDG.
Make sure you're touching the ground wire when you hold the handle.
When not using your VDG, unhook the rubber band so it doesn't deform and lose its elasticity.
Taping the bottle neck to the collector along with some extra tape on the bottom of the collector will help prevent losses due to brush discharge.
If you use an ohmeter to test the resistance of the inside of the can, you'll see that it has a nonconductive coating. The coating makes little difference at the high voltage a Van de Graaff generator produces, so don't bother scraping the coating off the can.
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