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Post by Mastercaster on Jan 14, 2012 6:35:49 GMT -8
 Is it possible to have a operational light bulb in my vacuum chamber? It would be nice if there was a way to light up the interior of the chamber so I can see whats going on better. I did not find an answer on the Internet, but figured I would give our retired engineer something new to ponder. I'm guessing if I put my flashlight inside it will cause it to implode or the batteries to implode or just ruin my light. How about a couple of small fluorescent tubes? If I place a small bulb inside will it cause it to implode? Also I am planning to still make a steel frame that I will use to clamp the lid down to cause the chamber to hold 40 pounds of air. Will any kind of bulb withstand this kind of abuse and operate? |
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Post by FMW on Jan 14, 2012 9:28:05 GMT -8
There are many possible ways. The answer varies some on whether you're using it as a pressure chamber or a vacuum chamber. Long-winded technical discussions aside, the best way to light either would be LEDs. You could use white LED Christmas lights or a multi-LED flashlight as your starting point. The answer that is simple, obvious, and wrong is to duct-tape an LED flashlight to the inside of the chamber. While the LEDs would survive, something horrible would probably happen to/with the batteries.
Email me at:
MD_2197@msn.com
if you want more detailed ideas.
FMW
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Post by Mastercaster on Jan 14, 2012 9:43:49 GMT -8
Thanks. I'm hoping to use it as both pressure and vacuum. I have not got to the pressure part yet. I intend to keep it in horizontal use as well, otherwise it would stand on end and I would just set a flashlight on top to aid in lighting with my poor vision. Tuning in bifocal lenses to see clearly can be a real pain! I knew a battery would not survive. A LED is probably a great idea.
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Post by Danno on Jan 14, 2012 11:08:26 GMT -8
Is the chamber transparent or translucent (it's hard to tell from the photos).
If so, couldn't you wrap some LEDs or rope light around the outer perimeter and get enough light through the walls to "see" the inner sanctum? 
Just thinking out loud. 
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Post by FMW on Jan 14, 2012 11:57:15 GMT -8
You can buy 12-LED flashlights for about $3 at Fry's electronics and Harbor Freight (and probably a bunch of other places, too). The working end contains a circuit board mounting the LEDs. It would be easy to solder a pair of wires to the main contacts and run the wires through small holes in your chamber (sealing them afterwards, of course). You could then either use a battery box (either the other half of the flashlight or something you could put three bigger batteries in for longer life) or a wall wart that puts out 4.5 to 5 VDC if you wanted an AC powered version. The wall wart could power multiple flashlight heads and you could pump a bunch of light it you wanted to.
FMW
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Post by Mastercaster on Apr 26, 2012 11:41:20 GMT -8
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Post by davewilly on Apr 26, 2012 12:34:57 GMT -8
And here we thought you were just a plumber! Now your an election too! pretty soon the Shartin labs will resin bodies will come with working head & tail lights! cool!!!!
all joking aside...looks pretty cool I hope it will still seal up right after all the work you have already done....but I have faith in ya that it will all be fine
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Post by FMW on Apr 26, 2012 12:36:55 GMT -8
Looks like a good implementation to me. Now that you've got the power source (battery box) on the outside, you can always replace it with a 4.5VDC wall wart if you get tired of buying batteries.
I saw those lights at Harbor Freight and bought one. It's such a great form factor I went back and bought 5 more (at $4 each, on sale). These things are great for working on computers - just turn it on and prop it up inside the case.
FMW
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Post by Mastercaster on Apr 26, 2012 21:56:03 GMT -8
These lights are amazingly well made for a $4.00 light. All parts are put together with screws and nothing is heat welded together. The board the lights and resistors are mounted on looks OK for what it costs and the switch seems good too. After I made the entry above I decided since it was working good I just Blob and slobbed some clear GE silicone II over it and stuck it on the roof. If a little does a little good, a lot will do a lotta good!
I have been pondering how I can get it to hold pressure. I have been thinking of creating a frame out of unistrut (constuction chanel). I would really like to creat a collar around the exterior that would close and tighten down like the pressure cooker lids on my pressure pots. It only takes about a 1/8th turn to lock the lid down and put the 40 PSI air pressure on it quickly. Though the silicone is self healing if you cut it, the slightest air leak may cut the lid gasket like a steam leak would. I have what I think is a decent amount of surface area to seal it it may not like pressure.. If I build the frame I bought a laboratory jack, it is a scissor platform jack that glassware items are set onto so they can be raised or lowered. This jack would be bolted to the back end of the frame so the lid would be eased down to it's proper position and then the jack knob could be turned to force pressure against the lid in front to be sealed (hopefully!). There is a plan!
Dave, I have built some stereo Vacuum tube gear. There is nothing like the smell of fresh solder in the old nose. Tube stuff never went away. You can still buy kits though they are pricey. It is a darn shame that Heathkit and others like it went away. Most people today want instant gratification. I have a tube Hifi my dad built in 58. With a little work it could be functional again.
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Post by Mastercaster on Apr 27, 2012 7:52:11 GMT -8
 This part of the project gets a Looms Lab suckcess stamp of approval. |
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Post by Mastercaster on Jun 22, 2012 12:00:41 GMT -8
  Here is a switch I picked up at Ace Hardware for 3 bucks. I thought Bernie had posted a joke here about throwing the switch as a reference from the Young Frankenstein movie |
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