Plasma Powered Pikachu

[Bob The Mercenary]

I had a strange idea and was wondering just how dangerous it is. If I bought a plasma globe, removed the plastic dome and stuffed it inside a plush Pikachu, would that cause a fire and/or electrocution? I was thinking of adding that last minute to my cosplay outfit. It would be operating on a couple AAA batteries.

[Nikose Tyris]

...you'll... need to be more precise. Do you mean emptying the Pikachu's stuffing and putting the skin around the plasma globe? Removing the eyes and cheeks and just putting red clear foil over the cheek holes? That can work. It'd still be dangerous but that could work.

As you're saying, you're... just going to stick it inside a pikachu? What visual effect would that really give off?

[Bob The Mercenary]

Well, I wanted to make sparks eject from the cheeks, but without cutting holes. Just make the electricity arc through the material. But, after some Google-ing I found that removing the lid from a plasma globe extinguishes the entire effect. So, I guess I need some sort of a special effects spark generator, but so far all I've come up with are expensive science experiments.

[bluestarultor]

Yeah, put simply, anything involving electricity would not be safe and you'd be banned from whatever con you're attending probably for the rest of your life.

Simply not a good idea.

If you really want a spark effect, your best bet would be to set up some sort of complex flint and steel system like they did for the Wheeler action figure from Captain Planet. Basically, it's just not worth it.

[Bob The Mercenary]

What about an electric grill lighter? I can get one for like $10. If I grab two and pin the ends against the inside of the cheeks it would be a safe little spark. I didn't see anything in the con rules about that.

[Loyal]

A rule of thumb is that if you have to ask before doing a pyrotechnics project (even "safe little sparks"), you shouldn't do it.

[Seil]

The only "safe" thing I can think of to generate sparks would be the device from inside one of these guns. (http://alincolntaber.co.uk/Objects_images/Trex_spark_gun_WEB.JPG) It'd probably take some work, but you could rig it up, I think.

[bluestarultor]

The only "safe" thing I can think of to generate sparks would be the device from inside one of these guns. (http://alincolntaber.co.uk/Objects_images/Trex_spark_gun_WEB.JPG) It'd probably take some work, but you could rig it up, I think.

I feel dirty. How tragic is it that a toy like that came out not all that long ago and nobody at the time gave it a second thought? :sweatdrop

[RobinStarwing]

The only "safe" thing I can think of to generate sparks would be the device from inside one of these guns. (http://alincolntaber.co.uk/Objects_images/Trex_spark_gun_WEB.JPG) It'd probably take some work, but you could rig it up, I think.

Ummm...am I the only one that sees something wrong with this toy?

[Nique]

If you really want a spark effect, your best bet would be to set up some sort of complex flint and steel system like they did for the Wheeler action figure from Captain Planet. Basically, it's just not worth it.

I just want to point out that this is a pretty... oddly specific and very obscure referance.

Also I had one of those. Pretty awesome.

[Funka Genocide]

You could probably set up a sort of jacob's ladder with terminals in each of the cheeks, and utilize a floating ground for the internal power supply. The effect would be a high voltage spark across the cheeks of the plushy doll.

Of course the voltage potential necessary to arc across standard atmosphere would be immense. I wouldn't place the thing next to a properly grounded voltage source either... or put yourself between it and a proper ground.

The results could be... shocking.

(Actually depending on the size of the doll you'd likely need to set up 2 seperate climbing arcs, one set in each cheak. You'd also need to somehow find a power supply capable of generating about 12kV. Also, you'd need to have a completely fire proof plushy or some serious insulation and grounding. I guess it'd work best as a truly grounded system you could plug into a wall or something, but then you wouldn't be able to carry it around with you!)

[Premmy]

Ya'll need to stop encouraging this boy, he's gonna and up hurting himself and it'll be ALL your faults.

[Seil]

Prem, you spoil all our fun. C'mon, try and think up epitaphs with us!