Torben

He'll die but they'll bring him back in a later episode, claiming it was all a dream.


Torben

Hero999

What about using a microwave oven transformer current limited with a halogen heater on the primary?

That should kill the rat pretty effectively.

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Get Opera it's simply a superb browser.

bmachining

Why disassemble a working microwave??

A microwave with a spring on the door that is activated by a pressure pad inside, where theres lots of yummy rat food. Set on High for about 5 Mins.

HarveyH42

I haven't seen any sign of rats past couple of nights. Hopefully, it's over, but going to put that little zapper on a solar charger. Found out that the caps retain their charge pretty good for a day or so, got an excellent pop when I discharged them this morning to take it inside. I found it was already switched off, must have forgot to turn it back on yesterday.
Dog found the remains of a dead rat in front of the apartments next door. Little to far gone to determine the cause, but seemed about the same size as the one I was seeing. Don't think I had anything to do with it, unless the electro-shock therapy messed him up. It's been deed a few couple days at least, I just set the traps and poison packs yesterday.

Didn't find a CS mount lens with a wide view (probably why I got them so cheap), so swapped the rat cam out with a different camera. After it got dark out, remembered why I took that one down and it's been sitting in a drawer for a couple of years... Not very good at night, and the 6 built in IR LEDs don't help. Spent the evening assembling another 36 LED illuminater. Have to find a case and build a cable so camera and light can share the same power (easier then running another line).

Have to go back and measure the current draw on the camera flash, but think it starts at about 700 mA, and drops down to 25 mA just before it flashes. The flash boards use 1.5 volt batteries, higher voltage (3v) tends to fry something, transistor (unmarked) maybe. I want to replace the battery with a solar panel. The caps hold their charge well, so a day in the sun to charge will be fine, the neon light prevents over charging and explosion (Hmmm.... could be amusing). Bummer is, my smallest solar cells are around 2v/30ma, which I'm going to try to day, maybe 4 or 6 in parallel. It would be much nicer if I knew how to convert voltage to current. I have a bunch of 6v/70 ma panels. Probably simpler to just pull the inverter transformer and build my own charger circuit from scratch. Just not sure if the tiny transformer could handle 6v.

killivolt

Ratty met his demise now you can't be blamed for it. But to bad we didn't have any video of the deterrent in action.

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HarveyH42

No way of telling if it had anything to do with mine. Could have gotten into some poison somebody set out. I'll live in the 'downtown' area, probably not the only one spotting a rat. Definitely relieved, but looking to make sure my house remains rat-free. This was the first threat in 15 years living in this house, guess there isn't an easy entrance, but have been leaving the backdoor open for my dog. Only getting up to the 80's so far this year, will be keeping it closed when it starts getting hot outside.

Solar panels seem to be a bust, couldn't get the oscillator to start, so no charging. Have to do some searching and see what people are using for their coil guns, tazers, and stunguns I've seen disposiable camera guts used for. Not sure why I can't just drop this, since there is no longer a need. Guess it's got a huge gadget factor. Pretty much just set it in the sun, and it's self maintaining, no batteries to replace.

killivolt

You don't know if it had friends better safe than sorry.

__________________
Truthiness Monkeys : Obedience, Ignorance, Fear.

xl5

How can Torben say what side he leans to. Can he read between the lines, better to read over the whole script rather than making inane comment in defence of a stranger from a distance (Internet)

Myself have seen no tongue in cheek insincerity from our Harvey in the post's on this topic!!.

I personaally love pussy's. But let's get back to the topic of bastard cats and their protection from the minority.

xl5

Like Harvey said? He likes all animals and i agree!. Vermin need to be eradicated.

Harvey likes the idea of using Electronics to achieve this... so do i but the mention concerning bastard cats (see recent post's) made me decide to get my tuppence worth... defence of these animals.

Again in defence of Harvey momentarilly... he discharges the HV caps before letting his pup out to shit Mmm.

NB: Lest we forget.

xl5

Your probably correct this time.? But as far as the cat is concerned he/she will have to be shown on prime TV in at least :...{NINE EPISODES} Not including the repeats/

XL5.

Torben

Whatever makes you happy. Myself, I'd far rather make inane comments to defend a stranger than to attack one.

That's not the topic. The topic is building an effective rat zapper.

Anyway, I'm done. If you want to continue your little rant you can PM me.


Torben

HarveyH42

No sign of a rat in about a week now, so guessing that problem is over. Sorry about causing all the cat-hate debate. The problem isn't really the cats, it's the owner, and his tendency to over-populate his property and the neighborhood. He thinks he's doing a kind thing, by feeding and housing any strays that show up, but it not good for the rest of us who live in the neighborhood.

The zapper I put together, most likely wouldn't do any serious harm to the dog, or cats. Probably wasn't what killed the rat, but I'm sure it's unforgettable. Still going to work on a solar version, but need a lot of current, which I need figure out. Rather not buy solar cells just for this project though.

HarveyH42

Dog found another rat this morning. Definitely not the same one. It's much bigger, and kind of torn up looking, missing some fur and dirty looking. Probably just older, hopefully not diseased. Set a spring trap out, but no luck. Didn't have time to set up the rat zapper. I want a more powerful one, so going to give a big can capacitor a try. Mostly, it'll be guessing, and using parts on hand. Any suggestions would be helpful before I plug it in...

The capacitor is 37,000 uf at 95vdc. I have 15 of them, so adding more isn't a problem if needed. Thinking about using 2 huge diodes to rectify 110 VAC to DC, and drop it down to 70-80 vdc with some 5 or 10 watt resistors in series. I know I've got 5 watt, probably 10. Got a few really big 8 inch long ones (don't remember the values, low resistance though). Figure an Ne-2 lamp and resistor will work the same as on the smaller version and indicate when the capacitor is charged, and limit over charging. Won't leave it plugged in after it's charged up, should retain a nasty level for a day or two. Anyway, this is just a quick and dirty, to get something out there. This weekend, I plan on mounting some stainless steel plate inside some 4" PVC, two on each end. Drill some large holes near the middle to bait it, and add a break-beam circuit there as well. When the rat is well past the plates (point of no return) and breaks the beam, a relay trips, energizing the plates withe the charged capacitor. Since the plates should be unloaded, the contacts of the relay shouldn't be abused when the rat completes the circuit. Only problem is that the rat may not be interested in food, as it's plentiful over at the cat-man's property, water too. Guessing they are coming over here for a quiet/safe shelter. Have to change that.

Will post some pictures soon. Need to do some math, but really don't know much about this level of power, kind of avoided it all my life. Hope one 37,000 uf capacitor is enough. Maybe I should plan on two, just to make sure. Damn, almost forgot a safe/sane means of discharging the thing. The little zapper is 320 uf @ 300 vdc, and blows a hole in the bottom of a beer can, guess the big one will shred it...

Pommie

Be careful with that capacitor, just one capacitor charged to 95V contains 167 Joules. Defibrillators on a low setting are only 60 Joules. The 320uF cap at 300V only holds 14 Joules.

Mike.

HarveyH42

Now that's some scary news. Guess I should point the end of the PVC pipe over the fence to my neighbors yard, just in case the rat is expelled...

While at work, I came up with a reasonably safe method to discharge the capacitor. Thinking I can mount a pair of ball casters in the bottom of 2 foot section of PVC pipe. I'll have a beer can held in place near the top with a pull pin on some fishing line (only thing I could think of that couldn't possibly conduct electricity). Probably look pretty cool at night time.

How did you calculate the joules? I was figuring on just enough voltage to light a neon bulb. I think it's around 60-70 volts. I haven't a clue on power and current. The diodes and resistors I'm planning on using, are from an industrial piece of equipment (same printers I got the capacitors), and should work. Just want to get as many details as I can, my first really dangerous project. Really hate this stuff. My tesla coil is safe, except the neon sign transformer. I know what I'm planning is bad stuff, and hope to take excessive precautions.

Anyway, the rat was back this morning, and did some damage. It was in my utility room, and hopefully consumed enough poison. I had to packs in there, one is missing, the other was chewed open. The rat chewed a hole through some wood, and also destroyed a hose on my washer machine (water everywhere). Just got the hose replaced, jacketed with metal braid, so shouldn't happen again. Replaced the thin plywood with 3/4 inch. Need to paint it still. Thinking about putting some sheet metal over the outer surface, but don't think that rat has more then a day or two left...