OK, I am tired of being zapped when I touch the tracks. I also fear ruining a DCC chip.
There is a wonderful gas fireplace next to my layout room in the basement. I turn on the fireplace and in a few minutes the basement is toasty and welcoming. However, I have noticed that when the fireplace has been on I start getting static electriciy shocks. This is not a problem in the summer.
I have a humidifier on the nearby furnace, but it clearly cannot keep up with the fireplace. This is not an issue one the first floor.
Should I buy a portable humidifier and place it under the layout? Can anyone recommend a model or manufacturer? Or is there a better solution to this problem?
I have kept a floor type humidifiewr running during the winter for some years to keep the humidity up. Bought it from Amazon about ten years ago. I use Prime and Smile also. I keep a couple filters on hand.
I have a metal spot to touch, just in case. I figured out a way that does not shock.
Many years ago when our Police Communications Center went with Computers for the two-way radio system the custodians would put a light spray of Downy on the carpet to stop the static shock. They would spray every Sunday evening and that stopped the shock and no more static dinging the Com Equipment.
If you decide to get a humidifier, place it in the open room as recommended rather than under the layout. That way the entire room soaks up the moisture. I don’t think it’s a wise idea to place a humidifier under ANYTHING. And you’re less likely to forget to turn off it off when you exit the train room.
Unless you ducted outside cold air direct to the gas fireplace that’s your problem. The air burned by the gas is your nice humidified air from the furnace, it goes right up the flue.
Also, raising the local temperatures in one room by using a localized heat source automatically reduces the relative humidity in the area around that fireplace. It’s relative humidity that determines the propensity to build up static.
Synthetic socks or slipper soles might make it worse, especially on synthetic carpet.
I have two Aircare MA0800 humidifiers in our house. First floor and second floor. I don’t have one in the basement with the layout. They work extremely well for us. The water tank is easily removed from the unit to fill, which is once or twice every 24 hours. Fortunately the layout basement stays around 30-35% humidity during the winter In Massachusetts. Part of which might be due to the humidifiers? Only minor downside is once during the season you need to replace the wick/filter. About $16 each. But well worth it for comfort. I suffer from winter nose bleeds and these help significantly. Fortunately my layout room has three lally columns within it so I’m in the habit of touching one every time I come near one. Most time no discharge.
My new recliner had a fabric that caused lots of static. I bought a can of this, and it solved the issue for months. It can be sprayed on carpets and other fabrics.
I didn’t know about Downy – it would probably be a little cheaper.
A. Fix the room’s humidity as has been suggested; or
B. Get in the habit of touching the rails with a metal file, length of bared wire, metal uncoupling tool, or some other conducting material that you leave near the edge of the layout.
People who get zapped by their door handles or light switches soon learn to touch the item with keys instead.
Henry) Explosive anesthetics? I have to admit, thats a heck of a way to remove tonsils. Never really thought about it but your right. Wonder what they use now??? Back to a rubber mallet maybe?
In general) Thankfully ive never had this problem. But you folks actually put a humidifier in the train room? With all that exposed woodwork amongst other railroad stuff i wouldnt think that would be a good thing to do. I take it, you dont have any problems doing this?
As for discharging the static itself, i cant recommend you touch the rails or any other part of the layout. Even if your holding something like a ‘key’. I suggest a firm handshake with the wife, or a loving pet right on the cats nose before operating.
Its cheaper, handy, will not hurt your layout at all, shows love for the family units, it works, and its also very entertaining. Now seriously, has anyone posted something better than that?
A very low-tech option comes from a professor in our Social Sciences Department (History, Government, Geography, etc.) at my college. She taught Geography as well as a few other things I don’t remember. (It’s been about 20 years ago folks.) I was an office aide for the department as a work-study. She had a lot of baskets made from natural materials. As North Dakota can get quite dry at times, she would have open jars of regular water around her office. The water would evaporate into the air as needed. I don’t remember how often they needed refilled but it wasn’t very often as I recall. (Once every couple weeks or so.) It didn’t cause problems with any of her books nor was the office overly humid. Something to think about.
Around here, you need two machines. In the summer, my basement would get to 70% easily without a dehumidifier. In winter, it’s now around 30%. I should probably get a humidifier. Not too much static though since the floor is stll just cement (but painted). I have no itnention of installing carpet anywhere near the layout, at best carpet tiles or rubber mats to make it comfortable to stand.
For reasons I don’t fully understand, I don’t get zapped when I touch the car door while getting out, but will get zapped when I touch the handle at the gas pump. Or did, because years ago I developed the habit of touching the car’s body and discharging my static before getting gas.
Reason is when you get out you’re same charge as the car. When you reach for the gas pump handle you’re not. If you wear leather soled shoes you will ground right away. Synthetic soles vary.
Good practice to put your hand on the metal body of your car before you put the metal pump handle into the gas filler on your car. You’re grounding the car body though, not yourself. The tires can both generate static and insulate the car from grounding it out.
Static buildup in cars can be weird. Silica in rubber especially in all season or rain tires can generate substantial static potential. Took a few tries before tire companies figured out how to stop that.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I will go with a humidifier, but I also think I will keep it at 50% or less. Also, I am going to put a metal plate near the entrance that I will get in the habit of touching when I enter.
