I saw a video once where someone successfully made a diode using a razer blade and aluminium foil (I think that's what they used). You might be able to fashion a half rectifier, though I doubt it would work for anything above microvolts lol. Ryan On 7 May 2015 at 03:37, RussellMc wrote: > I'm aware of the model railway and overhead light wiring arrangements. > I suspect that if the latter was designed for a 2A load that it would be > designed to go hi-z (PTC) if shorted and not deliver the steady 8A that > mine does. > > But what surprised me was the common use of such sources unidentified in > standard household settings. Model railroads demonstrate their capabiliti= es > and are used because they do power things via the metal conductors. And > anyone who has tried to keep one working becomes rapidly aware of issues > such as continuity and contact point cleanliness. > > Some may use the overhead light system "unawares" but you'd hope not. > > But the lamps have typically 200 to 500mm of bare metal telescoping rods > about 50mm apart. I can bridge the ones on one lamp by holding two NZ $2 > coins overlapped. > > I'm trying to think of how I can make a rectifier from household material= s > - which would allow me to fashion a cellphone charger "on the spot" - wit= h > due care, A good party trick if nothing else - for a limited range of > parties :-). > > QUESTION: How can I make a rectifier from typically available household > products - breaking open the TV, GPS, I-Phone (while a good idea) etc > doesn't count. Need not be perfect - as long as mean current is net > unidirectional it will work "in some cases". > > > > Russell > -- > http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .