I was asked today and, although I've thought about it every time I waited in line to get my turn on those things, I've never looked for an answer until today - only to be disappointed with the lack of info on the interwebs.
It seems most fairs and amusement parks have discontinued them or turned the bump-inducing open space into an oval all in the name of eliminating hear-on collisions and the concussions and facial injuries that follow (not to mention broken/crushed limbs and hands). Few "experts" are left. Even the guys who operated them back in the day claim the equipment was so poorly maintained that nobody setting them up had an answer either. They just connected this to that and it worked - or it didn't.
Anyhow, back on the question. The only answers out there seem to be speculation - low estimates based on safety (48 and 50v are common estimates/guesses). Many past employees remember just connecting them to a power drop and assumed they ran off of 120vac but never thought a transformer may be in the pile of crap somewhere.
One story looked at a rubber insulator and, based on thickness and a conservative safety factor, he suggested they run at 900 volts (that was the highest, and most unlikely, estimate).
Anyone have a guess? Have an estimate? Or, actually have expert knowledge?
Thanks.
It seems most fairs and amusement parks have discontinued them or turned the bump-inducing open space into an oval all in the name of eliminating hear-on collisions and the concussions and facial injuries that follow (not to mention broken/crushed limbs and hands). Few "experts" are left. Even the guys who operated them back in the day claim the equipment was so poorly maintained that nobody setting them up had an answer either. They just connected this to that and it worked - or it didn't.
Anyhow, back on the question. The only answers out there seem to be speculation - low estimates based on safety (48 and 50v are common estimates/guesses). Many past employees remember just connecting them to a power drop and assumed they ran off of 120vac but never thought a transformer may be in the pile of crap somewhere.
One story looked at a rubber insulator and, based on thickness and a conservative safety factor, he suggested they run at 900 volts (that was the highest, and most unlikely, estimate).
Anyone have a guess? Have an estimate? Or, actually have expert knowledge?
Thanks.