Ztrains: Static Grass Applicator Build Article

[Ztrains]

Hi,

Over the weekend I posted a new web article on building a $35 static grass applicator.

http://www.ztrains.com/pages/tech/grassinator/grassinator.html

It's written both in step-by-step fashion as well as providing a good number of photos and diagrams for reference.

Enjoy!

John Cubbin
Ztrains.com
http://www.ztrains.com

[tom mann]

Looks like it's higher quality than the $120 Noch one!

[John]

Can you just rub a balloon on your head .. well .. not Tom .. you actually need hair

[Mark5]

This is really cool! 

[Ztrains]

Looks like it's higher quality than the $120 Noch one!

The components are pretty rugged in this design. What I really wanted here was a short handle and small grass cup / bowl so I could get into tight spaces on a layout or diorama.

[DKS]

I'm going to build one, but I think I might make the handle a right-angle bend for better ergonomics and visibility.

[Ztrains]

I'm going to build one, but I think I might make the handle a right-angle bend for better ergonomics and visibility.

David,

Let me know how that works out if you try the right angle. I had kicked a similar idea around but found the 1-1/2" PVC right angle pieces a bit big.

John
www.ztrains.com

[wcfn100]

I'm getting the last of my parts today but I have one concern.  I'm using a metal screen but I'm not getting continuity across the mesh.  I can get it on the same strand but that's it.  Is this going to be a problem or is there enough voltage to overcome this?

Thanks,

Jason

[wcfn100]

OK, I finished building mine today but when I powered up, it started shooting the grass out like little bullets.  This doesn't seem right.  I'll double check my wiring.  Any thoughts?

And when I say shooting out, I don't mean at the ground pin, I mean just shooting out of the cup.

edit:  After using it a bit, I guess it's working correctly.  Just takes some getting used to.


If anyone else has any problems finding the 4oz round containers, I made mine with the smallest 'square' rubbermaid containers.  I can show a pic of what I ended up with.


Jason

[Ztrains]

I'm getting the last of my parts today but I have one concern.  I'm using a metal screen but I'm not getting continuity across the mesh.  I can get it on the same strand but that's it.  Is this going to be a problem or is there enough voltage to overcome this?

Jason,

I see you've got a couple of posts on the grass design... I'll address this one first. When you say you're not getting continuity across the mesh... I just want to confirm your using a metal screen material and not a fiberglass or similar mesh. Most of the modern mesh I see is now non-conductive... I had to hit a local hardware store (not Home Depot) for the aluminum screening. From what I've seen the fiberglass screening is a dark color, and the aluminum is not.

John
www.ztrains.com

[bsoplinger]

This caught my eye, vs the 'modify an electronic fly swatter' type directions I've found on the net so decided to actually go out and make one of these.

Trouble is the ion generator is sold out at goldmine with an expected delivery of late April for more. I can't wait a whole month to make one of these. Any other similar products out there? What about the 120V 7.5 kV version that goldmine still has in stock? Its half the voltage of the battery powered version.

[Ztrains]

This caught my eye, vs the 'modify an electronic fly swatter' type directions I've found on the net so decided to actually go out and make one of these.

Trouble is the ion generator is sold out at goldmine with an expected delivery of late April for more. I can't wait a whole month to make one of these. Any other similar products out there? What about the 120V 7.5 kV version that goldmine still has in stock? Its half the voltage of the battery powered version.

I have heard about the Electronic Goldmine negative ion generator (temporary) shortage as well. After a quick look I see that an outfit in Australia called Oatley Electronics carries what appears to be a similar 12V ion generator. As far as using the 120V version... for no other rational reason... I just prefer dealing with low voltage devices. Honestly I'd wait for the Electronic Goldmine to get fresh stock of their 12V version rather than playing with the 120V unit.

John
www.ztrains.com

[bsoplinger]

As far as using the 120V version... for no other rational reason... I just prefer dealing with low voltage devices.

I just figured since you designed the unit to hook up to a wallwart it was still tethered to an outlet so to speak, so figured it may not make that big a difference. I just figured if I had to have a wire sticking out of the thing might as well get rid of the wallwart.

You mentioned that it could be powered by a 9V battery but discount that. Is it just a voltage issue, ie could I just put one of those radio shack 8 x 1.5 AA cell holders in the handle (if I made it a bit longer) and powered it that way?

I ask because I'd rather it be a bit heavier but not have a power cord, although it will of course still have the grounding wire.

[Ztrains]

As far as using the 120V version... for no other rational reason... I just prefer dealing with low voltage devices.

I just figured since you designed the unit to hook up to a wallwart it was still tethered to an outlet so to speak, so figured it may not make that big a difference. I just figured if I had to have a wire sticking out of the thing might as well get rid of the wallwart.

You mentioned that it could be powered by a 9V battery but discount that. Is it just a voltage issue, ie could I just put one of those radio shack 8 x 1.5 AA cell holders in the handle (if I made it a bit longer) and powered it that way?

I ask because I'd rather it be a bit heavier but not have a power cord, although it will of course still have the grounding wire.

On using a 9V battery with the 12V ion generator... I initially tried this but found I had arcing between the positive and negative terminals of the battery. I used new 9V battery snaps. I did a little research on this generator and found a few other references to this "audible arcing" by others when using a 9V battery. I emailed Electronic Goldmine about this, twice, but received no reply. Other references I did come across went on to say that using a wall wart eliminated the problem, which I agree with.

As to why this arcing took place with the 9V battery... I'm afraid I'll have to leave that to be answered by someone with more knowledge of electronics and negative ion generators.

John
www.ztrains.com

[Ztrains]

Right after I published the Grassinator build article at Ztrains.com I received a lot of email telling me the source I cited in the article for the negative ion generators (Electronic Goldmine) ran out of these little devices. It appears that they are now back in stock as of May 19, 2008.

Link and part numbers are in the article:

http://www.ztrains.com/pages/tech/grassinator/grassinator.html

Build away!

John Cubbin
http://www.ztrains.com