DIY: Lightning Detectors

An early warning lightning detector will alert you to coming lightning well before it is apparent just from looking outside. You can install a detector that monitors intercloud discharge for immediate notification of lightning that you've purchased; or you can create this monitor yourself.

LF receiver circuit
10 pF capacitor
two inductors
lamp
two sets of copper wires

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase an LF receiver circuit and use copper wires to connect them to a 10 pF capacitor. This will create a 300 kHz resonance that can detect lightning.
- 2
  Attach two conductors to each side of the circuit. The two series inductors act as a matching network, and feedback the current.
- 3
  Connect the other end of the circuit to a bright lamp. It will shine based on the power, intensity and proximity of the approaching lightning based on the RF energy in the air.
- 4
  Mount the lamp on a stand in a holder to maximize effect, and position it somewhere that will be visible to you when you would like or should be notified of approaching lightning. Make sure to protect the circuit in a plastic or glass container.

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