Research Assistance Request

[bruno2k]

Hi, I'm a new member to this forum with extensive low voltage experience (sorry!), who is currently researching all things high voltage for a book I am finishing up--a novel--in which a main character attempts unsuccessfully to bootleg electrical service into his home with predictable and explosive results. I did have some help from a lineman when I wrote the first draft some years ago, so I think I have the basics down, but I would want to insure I describe what occurs in a believable manner such that a lineman reading the finished section regarding the electrical work would think the depiction credible. FYI: the book takes place in the '40's in the San Francisco Bay Area (so PG&E territory). You can send me a private message through this forum or email me at cpb@chrisbruno.com. Thanks so much for reading this--I appreciate it.

[wtdoor67]

Send a PM to that big old manly man in Florida called Swamprat. He can help you. Oh Yeah.

[Bear]

The reality of connecting a primary supply to a house service would be violent briefly, but not overly exciting since it would arc forcibly at the closest adjacent parts.

For real thrills you connect a higher voltage secondary supply to a residence so that everything just slowly blows up and goes on fire. :D

[bruno2k]

I have my fictional character up the utility pole in front of his house where 4,000 volts are coming into the transformer beside him. So I presume I can get him into plenty of trouble as a result--but, it needs to be realistic trouble, hence the need for it to be reviewed. He is a modern-day Grinch who, not believing in Santa Claus, doesn't want to pay to power his Christmas lights--so he bootlegs it instead, or attempts to, as he causes the primary conductors to arc . . . just as Santa is coming in for a high speed test-landing in the fog in a new sleigh, expecting to see his landing lights in the form of the illuminated houses.

[Special ED]

I have my fictional character up the utility pole in front of his house where 4,000 volts are coming into the transformer beside him. So I presume I can get him into plenty of trouble as a result--but, it needs to be realistic trouble, hence the need for it to be reviewed. He is a modern-day Grinch who, not believing in Santa Claus, doesn't want to pay to power his Christmas lights--so he bootlegs it instead, or attempts to, as he causes the primary conductors to arc . . . just as Santa is coming in for a high speed test-landing in the fog in a new sleigh, expecting to see his landing lights in the form of the illuminated houses.

interesting story line.. I wanna know when its printed as well as what you were drinkin or smoking when you came up with the idea.. Dont get me wrong im not puttin ya down. But thats a pretty imaginative story there and I cant wait to read it.

[wtdoor67]

Do you "dream" about me danny?:D:D I think it's funny, and a little weird...that you think about me so much.:D

Bruno,
There are quite a few PG&E Boys on this board. Hopefully, they might be interested in helping you. Sounds like it might be a cool book.

How bout lettin us know when it is finished, and bein published.


The only reason it entered my mind Gregg was knowing of your cross dressing fetish I just thought you might enjoy it. Everybody rolls a little different Gregg. You have your ways etc.

[MI-Lineman]

I have my fictional character up the utility pole in front of his house where 4,000 volts are coming into the transformer beside him. So I presume I can get him into plenty of trouble as a result--but, it needs to be realistic trouble, hence the need for it to be reviewed. He is a modern-day Grinch who, not believing in Santa Claus, doesn't want to pay to power his Christmas lights--so he bootlegs it instead, or attempts to, as he causes the primary conductors to arc . . . just as Santa is coming in for a high speed test-landing in the fog in a new sleigh, expecting to see his landing lights in the form of the illuminated houses.

Sounds like heel's autobiography?:D Except he'd have a 6 month ape up the pole instead for him!:rolleyes:

[heelwinch]

Sounds like heel's autobiography?:D Except he'd have a 6 month ape up the pole instead for him!:rolleyes:

What's the matter, you not getting enough rise out of swampgas anymore, You're out trolling for hits?

When I was your age I had 2 kids also, and besides the fact there was no such thing as the internet, Saturdays were spent fishing, hunting, camping, whatever they needed for attention. Not trolling the internet looking for a keyboard war.

I have seen many fathers lose the love of their children being selfish with their time, I was fortunate that my wife gave me regular reality checks and that my kids grew up as my best freinds, and to this day both call me at least once a day usually more.
I could really give a rats ass what you or any anyone else for that matter thinks of me on this board, but when it comes to my family, I never let them down. Not once.
You here are merely a distraction that gets me through another day of boredom... nothing more. So troll away oh great one from MI... I'll do my best to harass your worthless ass as best I can.

[MI-Lineman]

What's the matter, you not getting enough rise out of swampgas anymore, You're out trolling for hits?

When I was your age I had 2 kids also, and besides the fact there was no such thing as the internet, Saturdays were spent fishing, hunting, camping, whatever they needed for attention. Not trolling the internet looking for a keyboard war.

I have seen many fathers lose the love of their children being selfish with their time, I was fortunate that my wife gave me regular reality checks and that my kids grew up as my best freinds, and to this day both call me at least once a day usually more.
I could really give a rats ass what you or any anyone else for that matter thinks of me on this board, but when it comes to my family, I never let them down. Not once.
You here are merely a distraction that gets me through another day of boredom... nothing more. So troll away oh great one from MI... I'll do my best to harass your worthless ass as best I can.

Nope! Just see you took an opportunity to do the same up in the "Line work" threads! Just returnin the favor!:D

Got time before a graduation party! My kids (not that it's any of your business) spend their time with me outside workin and playin! Just like I did! Except for the boy of course! We just got done playin with his rather LARGE Thomas the Train set! No cable no video games, just one on one time!

You ignorance really shines with your stereo typin! You apparently are in need of some more "reality checks!"

[BigClive]

People reading books or watching films don't necessarily want realistic stuff. You might be better just going to town on describing how lamps exploded and appliances burst into flames with loud crackling buzzing noises. In the film industry they would just load all the domestic appliances with pyro and blow them up in a gratuitously violent (and completely unrealistic) manner.