42 ms·

Capacitors aren't to be fooled with. Back in the tube TV times, I knew some guy working at a TV shop who shot off half a thumb, because he touched a loaded cap

• more_corn 5y ago
  To be fair a CRT is possibly the most lethal piece of consumer electronics ever made. It can kill you even after sitting unplugged for months.
• np_tedious 5y ago
  Even the capacitor inside a disposable camera (for the flash) is no joke. Used to mess around shocking ourselves with that when we were kids
  • bobsmooth 5y ago
    I once shorted out one of those through my thumb and I swear I felt the ghostly presence of my dead brother even though my brother is alive and was at work at the time. Getting a few dozen volts straight through a nerve will make you feel weird things.
  • maxbond 5y ago
    When I was a child I was trying to take one apart by prying with a screwdriver. I accidentally shorted the switch that started the flash with my screwdriver. I heard the capacitor charge, but stupidly didn't back away slowly and kept prying. I got zapped through the screwdriver, and I involuntarily threw the camera all the way across the room. I also nearly killed myself with a giant DIY laden jar I thought was discharged. It was not. I discharged it across my arms (eg, across my heart). Luckily there was very little stored power, it hurt enough to give me pause but I wasn't injured. This thing was pretty big though, it definitely could've held enough power to hurt me badly. Lessons learned!
  • honkdaddy 5y ago
    We did this too! Homemade "tasers" from a disassembled disposable camera. Enough to zap an older brother and run for your life, but not enough to hurt anyone. Good times.