Temperature Task

[penclspinner]

If we do use a bimetallic strip for this and we heat it up with a Nichrome wire what kind of gauge would work the best? i hear theres a like hair thin 40 gauge and a much thicker like a coat hanger 14 gauge which one would heat the bimetallic strip up the fastest with the least amount of voltage?

Actually when we tried doing this task we actually hooked up our battery directly to the bimetallic strip.

also i have never used a bimetallic strip, when they cool would they cool with enough force to toggle or push in a swtich? like the one pictured in http://scioly.org/wiki/Bimetallic_strip ?

I don't know about how much force a bimetallic strip could generate, we did something akin to completing a circuit via metal contact.

[EastStroudsburg13]

I'm pretty sure that's the part you're supposed to figure out on your own...

Finding out how to do it quickly along with what to do, and what to sacrifice. We're (or at least I wouldn't think we should) not going to just give everyone a model of the perfect Mission Possible device and say, okay, now build it this way. That would ruin the fun.

[Xenarian]

I was planning on using a thermal cutoff switch, that I coincidentally also got at American Science and Surplus. We're probably just going to drop it on some ice and cool it down that way, using it as a "not" gate for the next step.

[paronomasia]

Last year there was a rule saying that no devices could be turned on prior. I'm not seeing it this year.... is it just me?

Otherwise, all you need is to turn off a lightbulb or whatever that's near the bimetallic strip and heating it, right?

[lonestar]

Last year there was a rule saying that no devices could be turned on prior. I'm not seeing it this year.... is it just me?

Otherwise, all you need is to turn off a lightbulb or whatever that's near the bimetallic strip and heating it, right?

The rule is just that no motors can be turned on beforehand, devices like flashlights definitely could be turned on.

[DeltaHat]

Are thermocouples allowed at all?

Only if you build it yourself. A commercial thermocouple component risks being deemed not authorized.

[questionguy]

Hey, I am thinking of using this task using the bimetallic strip, but am having some trouble heating it up. Does anyone know what the best battery is and whats a good way to use the strip, such as setting off a mousetrap?

[penclspinner]

Hey, I am thinking of using this task using the bimetallic strip, but am having some trouble heating it up. Does anyone know what the best battery is and whats a good way to use the strip, such as setting off a mousetrap?

You could use a candle to heat up the strip, that works pretty well.

In the past we have used the strip to complete a circuit (metal-metal contact).

[lonestar]

You could use a candle to heat up the strip, that works pretty well.

Candles aren't allowed. Flames and stuff.

[questionguy]

Hey, I am thinking of using this task using the bimetallic strip, but am having some trouble heating it up. Does anyone know what the best battery is and whats a good way to use the strip, such as setting off a mousetrap?

You could use a candle to heat up the strip, that works pretty well.

In the past we have used the strip to complete a circuit (metal-metal contact).

For connecting the circuit, if I am using one of the small strips you found in the outdoor thermometers, would I want to stretch it out completely, or leave a part of it curled?