Static Electricity Detector

We are Cougar Robotics 4251 and this is for the Instructables Sponsorship Program. 

Step 1: What You'll Need

Parts:
1. MPF-102 (N-channel FET and our preferred transistor) or NTE-326 Transistor
2. 1 Meg Reistor
3. LED (we like "Super Green")
4. 9V Battery Terminals
5. 9V Battery

Tools:
1. Soldering Iron
2. Wire clip holding helper (not necessary but helpful)

Step 2: Solder Together

The circuit diagram is here. When soldering, there is no real need for extra wires depending on the type 9V terminal you are using. All of the electronics come with leads that are long enough to directly solder together. 

There are two versions of this you can make, one with a switch and one without. We like the one with the switch because it has a bigger 9V battery case and you do not have to remove the battery to turn the detector off. The one without a switch is simpler, however, and still functions to the same effectiveness. We have pictures of both styles.

Step 3: How to Use

insert a battery and wave over your robot! The key is to look for where the light changes from on to off or vice versa. If the light is constant on or off, it is fine either way.

Comments

[DavidL800]

Is a primer safe with positive. No bullet. Checking electric idea

[batonas]

useful stuff, thanks for sharing.

[Cougar Robotics]

I don't know. You could either look up the transistor spec sheets and see if you think they would work or you could just try them and see.

[Cougar Robotics]

I actually made an error when I posted this. The transistor listed above works but our favorite is the MPF-102 N-channel FET transistor.