SIMPLE, SENSITIVE VOLTAGE MOTOR USING 2-LITER SODA BOTTLES

Here’s a simple electrostatic motor that’s based on 2-liter soda bottles and aluminum foil. It’s construction does not require access to a machine shop. It draws a fraction of a microamp during operation, and can run at unexpectedly high speeds (1000 RPM!) It runs on a minimum of 5000 volts DC, which can be had from several different low-current electrostatic energy sources.

Any of the following can power this motor:

* Van de Graaff electrostatic generator (expensive unless home-built)
* Wimshurst electrostatic generator (expensive)
* Negative ion generator, try this one, it runs off a 9v batt.
* Aluminum foil on a TV screen (dangerous?)
* M. Foster’s Cheap High Voltage
* Lenny R’s PVC Pipe generator
* A very large electrophorus (low humidity required)
* “Kelvin’s Thunderstorm” waterdrop machine (very feeble, barely works)
* High-voltage DC supply (dangerous, avoid it unless skilled with HV!)
* Jefimenko-style sky antenna (kite-lifted or balloon-lifted wire with needles at top)
* Or, with some practice, even with a balloon and a piece of fur can sometimes work.
* Batteries won’t work, you need High Voltage

One of these motors is featured in the Electricity exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston, powered by a hand-cranked Van de Graaff machine.
PARTS:

* three 2-liter pop bottles, at least one with a METAL cap
* roll of aluminum foil
* rubber cement
* silicone caulk
* 13″ metal rod, 1/8″ dia. (could use coathanger)
* Two 8″ pieces of solid copper wire, or coathanger
* wood plank (or metal, or plastic) for the base
* duct tape
* hookup wire for attaching the power supply