Date:         Fri, 14 Nov 2003 18:58:06 +1300
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Solar charger NOT to buy
In-Reply-To:  <5.2.1.1.0.20031113122954.0244a350@mail.gct21.net>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>>The charge LED flashes fine even in pretty low light,
>>but it's only
>>indicating that there's voltage present... however
>>there's nearly no
>>current, and it's current, not voltage, which will
>>charge a
>>battery... or an electrocution! (a 100mA current of
>>1,000,000V will
>>not even be felt).
>
>
>FWIW, a current of 100mA is enough to be easily fatal...
>
>The numbers vary depending on who's charts you look at,
>and of course the "results" can vary a lot from one individual
>to the next, but these figures are are pretty typical for the
>average person. For some, the thresholds may be MUCH lower.
>
>Approximately 1 mA is perceptible as a slight tingling sensation.
>
>10-15 mA - Can't let go. Arm and hand muscles contract involuntarily.
>
>20-25mA - Can't breathe. Paralysis of the chest muscles.
>
>100mA - Heart fibrillation. Rapid, irregular contractions of the heart
>muscles. Could be fatal. Some charts put this level as low as 65mA...

A couple of years ago I had a bit over 12V and 100mA run through me
for some time. I must say it was exciting... 250V mains, whatever
amperage that is.
Fibrillation? Certainly. Burns? Not external (good contact), but the
current did internal damage to the bones in my wrists, which are
never going to recover fully.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
64 (3) 473-8863
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Fossil preparator
Seashell, Macintosh & VW/Toyota van nut