If you use a cheap standard Lanche' cell, the carbon rod will generally be present.
Just checked for the fun of it. Really messy.
I used "D" cells from Krogers.?
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I built an arc light using the carbon rods ground down to points. Brighter than the sun and almost as hot.
I used an electric space heater as the ballast to limit the current, arcs have positive temperature coefficients, the draw more current as they heat up.?
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My parents were seriously 'not amused' at that project. Almost got barred from experimenting for a month.
The fact I sat the workbench in the garage on fire might have had something to do with their anger. But I did put the fire out before did any major damage...of course the smoke was rather intense. My dad cut new boards and made me replace the damaged ones.?
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I was allowed a lot of freedom but power tools were strictly off limits. Given my clumsiness, I can't say I blame my parents edicts. I'm amazed my parents didn't sell me to the circus.
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Given the number of times I shocked myself silly, I'm amazed they didn't restrict me to reading books on philosophy.
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