The Mystery Meter - Sitting on my chair
Slowly discharging,
connected to nothing
Preface
When I first received the
CD
V-717 Survey Meter, the meter
movement behaved normally. However, after a few hours of
playing with it, the needle suddenly became stuck at 2. My
first thought was that the bearings were loose, allowing the
needle to rub on the inside of the meter face. Or maybe
there was a "sticky spot" on the bearing.
After putzing with it for some time, I determined that
something weird was going on. I could rub my finger across
the top of the meter dial, and move the needle back and
forth. WHOA! This demanded further investigation.
So, I removed the meter movement from the CD V-717 case, and
started playing with it.
Description
Here is what I found -
1. Although the meter was still operating when removed, it
does NOT matter if the meter terminals are open, touched, or
shorted, the "electroscope effect" remains unaffected.
2. To initiate the effect, I rub my fingers rapidly across
the lexan plastic face on top of the meter.
3. After this "charging", if my finger touches the plastic,
it repels the needle from either side. I can push the needle
up and down, by rubbing the lexan faceplate. If I push it
down from the right just a little, the needle rises to its
"current" stable position, as I withdraw my finger to the
right. If I push it up from the left just a little, the
needle drops to this same "current" stable position, as I
remove my finger to the left.
4. Over time (about an hour), the needle slowly falls to
zero. This proves that there is no "stickiness" in the
mechanical action.
5. The physical orientation of the meter does NOT matter -
upside down, rotated 180 degrees, lying on its face - it
doesn't matter - the needle remains at its "current" stable
position.
6. Rubbing a piece of rubber over the face of the lexan dial
generates the most needle action. I am guessing that more
electrons come off the rubber than off of my finger.
7. Slapping the meter repeatedly simply causes the needle to
wiggle a few divisions back-and-forth around the "current"
stable point. The needle is held FIRMLY in its "current"
position by an unseen force, which I believe to be
electrostatic - in fact, an analog, unpowered, functioning
electrostatic electroscope.
8. Waving plastic over the top has no effect, but PAPER has
a dramatic effect!!? Wha?
Undisturbed Leak-Down Rate on the Scale of 5.0
4.0 to 3.5 - 5 minutes
3.5 to 3.0 - 4 minutes
3.0 to 2.5 - 4 minutes
2.5 to 2.0 - 4 minutes
2.0 to 1.5 - 8 minutes
1.5 to 1.0 - 8 minutes
1.0 to 0.5 - 12 minutes
0.5 to 0.0 - 15 minutes
My Explanation
The classic electroscope
uses two very thin sheets of
gold.
My hypothesis suggests
that an electroscope might be formed with ONLY ONE metal
electrode, if that electrode is extremely well-balanced, and
a nearby electrostatic field can be
manipulated.
I feel that one "sheet" of
this unconventional electroscope is the top face of the
clear lexan plastic face plate, which accumulates electrons.
The other "sheet" is the inside surface of the lexan
faceplate, which is very closely coupled to the metal
needle. ESPECIALLY, in this case, because the needle is not
parallel to the lexan, but instead tilts upward, so that the
tip of the needle is VERY CLOSE to the
lexan.
The Next Step
To see if I can replicate the effect on any other meter?
Nah.
To disassemble the meter? On the back, it says, "SEALED-DO
NOT OPEN RUGGEDIZED"
Will my curiosity destroy the meter?
Will I be able to determine the miraculous miracle mystery
mode?
A Question For An
Experienced Victoreen
Expert
Have you ever seen this phenomenon before? Do you have an
explanation?
Removed from a CD V-717 - Serial Number 65402
FRONT - OCD-M-151
BACK - Manufactured March 1964 - Serial Number 880802 -
Stamped W205 (in a circle)
I wonder if anyone has patented this
electroscope effect, and implementation. Maybe someone will
let me know.
Wanna Buy
It?
1. Are you an academic or researcher? You get the nod.
2. Personal physical exchange only - I do NOT want to be
told later that it does not work!
3. US $3,424 firm, unless I soon find that such anomalies
are a common occurrence
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