How to Make an Arc Carbon Lamp

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Open the 6 volt lantern battery with a screwdriver

   There should be about 4 of them, and they should be about 3/8" thick.
   
   Tutorials on exactly how to do this are available on YouTube, though wear gloves in the procedure, as other chemicals inside the battery aren't healthy.
2. 2

   Step 2: hack-saw

   ,(note, the carbon rods should fit snugly but still be able to slide in or our out.) , (It doesn't matter which is which as long as they are opposite polarity.) , BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH THE TIN CAN WITH EITHER OF THE TERMINALS! This may result in electrical spark or shock. , As soon as the gap between the carbon rods is short enough, an arc will form between them and there shall be light.
3. 3

   Step 3: and remove the black carbon rods.

4. 4

   Step 4: Put two holes opposite of each other in the tin can so the carbon rods have at least 1/8" on all sides.

5. 5

   Step 5: Place the insulation on the edges of the holes you made in the previous step so that the carbon rods can slide through the holes without touching the metal of the tin can.

6. 6

   Step 6: Using a battery with jumper-cables

7. 7

   Step 7: connect the carbon rods to the 12 volt battery so that one carbon rod has a positive charge and the other has a negative.

8. 8

   Step 8: Then *carefully* push the carbon rods through the two holes on opposite ends; however

9. 9

   Step 9: be sure to not yet touch the rods together.

10. 10

    Step 10: When ready to light your lamp

11. 11

    Step 11: slowly and cautiously move the rods together.

Detailed Guide

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