Best Of Static Grasss vs. No Static Grass

[Chris333]

I made mine using the electric fly swatter, it works, but I haven't done a large area yet.

[rochsub]

Darryl,

Looks like you have the application down pat. The next critical thing is the type of static grass you use. Looking at your photos it looks like you used the Noch or Scenic Express bulk stuff and it is way to vibrant in the individual fibers (bright reds, greens and yellows).

Order some Silflor static grass. The late summer has the best blend that looks more natural. Plus if you're using any of the other Silflor stuff, it all blends nicely. You can mix in some Woodland Scenics static grass to vary the blends a bit. The Woodland Scenic static grass is very muted in color, so it makes for good mixer to tone things down or create different blends.

We'll likely have the Modutrak layout setup here at my office in Lombard in the next couple weeks. If you're interested in doing a little static grass clinic, I'd be happy to show you some of the different techniques we use.

-jamie

Just great, I knew I should not have ordered in bulk quantities.  Anyone need Spring and Summer static grass cheap?  I must add however that the dark green bulk from scenic express is not very vibrant and actually blends in with the ground foam real well.  I will be getting some of the Silfor, though as well.

Daryl

[ednadolski]

It is powered by 110V as opposed to a 9V battery.

I built an AC type and it's worked well so far.  Just one word of caution:  There are some versions of this floating around on the internet that show incorrect AC wiring.  They have the AC neutral wire connected to the scenery spike lead, so that if you reverse the plug when you put it into the wall outlet, you could end up connecting the spike to the hot side of your house AC.  That may not be enough to trip your breaker of GFCI, but it certainly could create a hazard.

Bottom line:  unless you really know what you are doing, use the DC/battery version.

Ed

[wcfn100]

I think that the one described in Z Trains http://www.ztrains.com/pages/tech/grassinator/grassinator.html most closely mimics the Noch machine.  It is powered by 110V as opposed to a 9V battery.  I built one following the instructions for around $31.00 and 1-1/2 hours work.  Check Joe Fugate's website also, his is similar in construction to the Z Trains one.

Let's not scare anyone with 110v.  The current incarnation is 12v.

There was a 110v version after the original supply of 12v ion generators ran dry, but they have since found a new source.  I wouldn't even suggest to anyone to build a 110v version (but someone could if they wanted).


Jason

[wazzou]

Let's not scare anyone with 110v.  The current incarnation is 12v.
 
I there was a 110v version after the original supply of 12v ion generators ran dry, but they have since found a new source.  I wouldn't even suggest to anyone to build a 110v version (but you can).


Jason

OK.  It plugs into the wall.

[DKS]

OK.  It plugs into the wall.

If you're plugging in a wall wart, it's the 12v version.

[wazzou]

It is indeed, I just figured people would be more likely to know that, if told it had to plug into 110V AC.

If it is read as 12V, some may not understand that it's not operated by battery power.

My mistake.

[sirenwerks]

What
is the consensus best Rube Goldberg device?  Looking for reasonably easy construction method to produce urban weeds and such for current construction but able to handle vast expanses of central California hillsides should I ever get the chance...

Rub a balloon on your head. Unless you have no hair, then grab the cat and do the same.

[unittrain]

I just was looking up info on this and one guy was saying to use a ballon and rub it on your shirt or on your head and move your feet around with socks on  ;D, I think I'm going to look into building a grassinator!! I also read that Oatley had an Ebay presence but upon checking out Ebay I only found 110V negative Ion generators, I dont want to mess with that much voltage so I guess I'll order from Oatleys site.

[DKS]

I wonder if this device could be adapted for static grass application--

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G17879

[Philip H]

This is the build article I worked from:

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/mrh-2010-MarApr/static_grass_applicators
It seems to have worked out well so far . . .