Comments on: How to Build an Electric Organ FOR ABOUT FIVE DOLLARS http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:43:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-1062873 jayessell Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:19:30 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-1062873 a) Yo, I'm certain the 555 IC has a diagram that performs this function with only 5 volts DC. Whoops! Here it is: http://www.josepino.com/circuits/555/toy_organ.gif b) Nick, are you trying to electrolyse water into hydrogen and oxygen using less power than the chemistry books say you need? Trying to exceed 100% efficientcy? TANSTAAFL. a) Yo, I’m certain the 555 IC has a diagram that performs this function with only 5 volts DC.
Whoops! Here it is: http://www.josepino.com/circuits/555/toy_organ.gif

b) Nick, are you trying to electrolyse water into hydrogen and oxygen using less power than the chemistry books say you need? Trying to exceed 100% efficientcy? TANSTAAFL.

]]> By: yo http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-1062867 yo Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:31:22 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-1062867 Some how this shit didnt help me a bit! Some how this shit didnt help me a bit!

]]> By: Nick http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-1050971 Nick Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:24:39 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-1050971 Im trying to learn how i could use this method to produce hydrogen , much like stanley meyers did in my honest opinion it was using resonance and tuned organ pipes if you will someone please help me www.myspace.com/zerofossilfuels Im trying to learn how i could use this method to produce hydrogen , much like stanley meyers did in my honest opinion it was using resonance and tuned organ pipes if you will

someone please help me http://www.myspace.com/zerofossilfuels

]]> By: GalFisk http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-1043688 GalFisk Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:20:23 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-1043688 RE074 is a regular triode, this needs to be a gas filled tube as JMyint explained. RE074 is a regular triode, this needs to be a gas filled tube as JMyint explained.

]]> By: Flokater http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-630627 Flokater Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:29:38 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-630627 I think the tube is a RE074 from Telefunken. Datasheet can be found here: http://datasheets.electron-tube.net/sheetsR.html I think the tube is a RE074 from Telefunken.
Datasheet can be found here:
http://datasheets.electron-tube.net/sheetsR.html

]]> By: carlo http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-607420 carlo Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:41:21 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-607420 P.S. for neon lamps i mean those small orange glowing lamps and not fluorescent tubes, is common to call them "neon tubes" but they would not work at all. P.S. for neon lamps i mean those small orange glowing lamps and not fluorescent tubes, is common to call them “neon tubes” but they would not work at all.

]]> By: carlo http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-607412 carlo Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:37:45 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-607412 Hi, I explain better why you can use a neon lamp, the principle of this organ, that is merely a relaxation oscillator is the following: First of all, the loudspeaker must be connected to the tube and ground, otherwise this will not work at all! A current provided by battery and limited by the selected resistor is charging the capacitor until the voltage across the tube reaches his higher trigger threshold (for neon lamp is around 70V), then the tube immediately discharges the capacitor until it reaches the lower trigger threshold (not sure about this, let's say about 50V), then the tube goes off again and the cycle restarts. This gives a frequency proportional to the RC value with current pulses through the loudspeaker (not a mellow timbre!). So a neon tube would do the job. Anyway, because musical scale is not linear, the "main tune" potentiometer directly connected to the capacitor will NOT transpose the scale but only make it out of tune, because you need to multiply or divide the currents for a factor to get a transpose function (by two for one octave transposition) and just not add or subtract a resistor. The easiest way to transpose this "organ" main tune is to change capacitor, this would leave the correct intervals between the notes :-) Hi,

I explain better why you can use a neon lamp, the principle of this organ, that is merely a relaxation oscillator is the following:

First of all, the loudspeaker must be connected to the tube and ground, otherwise this will not work at all!
A current provided by battery and limited by the selected resistor is charging the capacitor until the voltage across the tube reaches his higher trigger threshold (for neon lamp is around 70V), then the tube immediately discharges the capacitor until it reaches the lower trigger threshold (not sure about this, let’s say about 50V), then the tube goes off again and the cycle restarts. This gives a frequency proportional to the RC value with current pulses through the loudspeaker (not a mellow timbre!). So a neon tube would do the job.

Anyway, because musical scale is not linear, the “main tune” potentiometer directly connected to the capacitor will NOT transpose the scale but only make it out of tune, because you need to multiply or divide the currents for a factor to get a transpose function (by two for one octave transposition) and just not add or subtract a resistor.

The easiest way to transpose this “organ” main tune is to change capacitor, this would leave the correct intervals between the notes :-)

]]> By: JMyint http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-605870 JMyint Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:30:40 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-605870 If'n ya look about on the web there are instructions on making a 'B' battery. I looked through my list of obsolete tube types but I couldn't find a type '74. From the way it is depicted in the schematic it is a rectifier tube that uses the heater as the emitter. These types of tubes kinda disappeared from the scene in WW2. If’n ya look about on the web there are instructions on making a ‘B’ battery. I looked through my list of obsolete tube types but I couldn’t find a type ‘74. From the way it is depicted in the schematic it is a rectifier tube that uses the heater as the emitter. These types of tubes kinda disappeared from the scene in WW2.

]]> By: Jonathan http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-605384 Jonathan Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:55:51 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-605384 This circuit could be modified to use a Wein-Bridge oscillator negating the need for the tube and therefore the 100+ volt supply. Of course you wouldn't get the same warm glow from the op amp—well if you hook it up correctly that is. This circuit could be modified to use a Wein-Bridge oscillator negating the need for the tube and therefore the 100+ volt supply. Of course you wouldn’t get the same warm glow from the op amp—well if you hook it up correctly that is.

]]> By: carlo http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-604816 carlo Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:13:47 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-604816 Wonderful vintage schematics! But i would modify it to have the keys connected to ground and not to high voltage, otherwise would be better to use plastic keys to avoid ZAPs on the fingers... This is a common relaxation oscillator so i think that a common neon lamp could be used instead of the "type ‘74 voltage regulator tube". With a noeon lamp a lower voltage around 100V would be enough to work as those neon lamps start their negative resistance behaviour around 70V. Wonderful vintage schematics! But i would modify it to have the keys connected to ground and not to high voltage, otherwise would be better to use plastic keys to avoid ZAPs on the fingers…

This is a common relaxation oscillator so i think that a common neon lamp could be used instead of the “type ‘74 voltage regulator tube”. With a noeon lamp a lower voltage around 100V would be enough to work as those neon lamps start their negative resistance behaviour around 70V.

]]> By: dj_nme http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-604751 dj_nme Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:46:44 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-604751 It looks quite simple and shouldn't be dangerous if you use push-buttons from Jaycar or DSE. The only problem would be finding a modern replacement (preferably solid-state) for the type 74 tube. It looks quite simple and shouldn’t be dangerous if you use push-buttons from Jaycar or DSE.
The only problem would be finding a modern replacement (preferably solid-state) for the type 74 tube.

]]> By: jsiren http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-604570 jsiren Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:23:10 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-604570 I understand that these articles are reprinted for informational and amusement purposes only. As a quick note, however, even considering the 1933 safety standards, I do wonder about the sense in putting a ground connection on the negative side of the battery, with the keys on the positive side, effectively putting +135 V at the user's fingertips. Ground the user and you have an accident waiting. (Lemme just adjust this... *bzzzt* that felt funny... didn't sound right... *BZZZT* strange tingling, better sound... what if I turn this all the way down? **ZAP** ouch.) Playing the pictured device must have been an electrifying experience, if not hair-raising... Especially so if you happen to touch any part of the loudspeaker circuit at the same time. (Why isn't this making any sound? lemme just wiggle th**ZAP**ouch.) I understand that these articles are reprinted for informational and amusement purposes only.

As a quick note, however, even considering the 1933 safety standards, I do wonder about the sense in putting a ground connection on the negative side of the battery, with the keys on the positive side, effectively putting +135 V at the user’s fingertips. Ground the user and you have an accident waiting. (Lemme just adjust this… *bzzzt* that felt funny… didn’t sound right… *BZZZT* strange tingling, better sound… what if I turn this all the way down? **ZAP** ouch.)

Playing the pictured device must have been an electrifying experience, if not hair-raising… Especially so if you happen to touch any part of the loudspeaker circuit at the same time. (Why isn’t this making any sound? lemme just wiggle th**ZAP**ouch.)

]]> By: Greger http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-604521 Greger Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:58:41 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/10/11/how-to-build-an-electric-organ-for-about-five-dollars/#comment-604521 And it uses only three 45 volt batteries. Now where can I get those? (Along with a type '74 voltage regulator tube) And it uses only three 45 volt batteries.
Now where can I get those? (Along with a type ‘74 voltage regulator tube)

]]>