Welcome to MyFluxCapacitor.com
Introduction
Written by Dan Friday, 13 March 2009 02:38
Well, I decided to finally start my Back To The Future - Flux Capacitor prop replica. I've been putting it off for some time. My last project was my Lost in Space B9 Robot and that took over 4 years to build. But, during that project, I learned how to mold, cast and work with many different types of materials. Those skills will be put to use on this project. While my wife won't let me display my robot in the living room, I'm hoping I can install the Flux Capacitor in the family vehicle. My goal with this site is to document the process I go through to make my flux capacitor and hopefully help others along the way.
The Box
Written by Dan Monday, 16 March 2009 00:30
I started by identifying the electrical box that was used for the real Flux Capacitor. Several web site seem to agree that it is a still available Stahlin Electrial box model J1210HPL. That means is it a Fiberglass 12 in. x 10 in. box. I located one on ebay (where else) for about $70. It's not the correct color and needs a window cut in it, but it's the right one. It's also the perfect starting point. MORE TO COME!
Painting the Solenoid Base
BTTF - Flux Capacitor
Last Updated (Friday, 05 June 2009 01:47) Friday, 05 June 2009 01:04
I finally found tome to put some paint on one of the replica solenoid bases. I found a airbrush paint at a local hobby store made by Model Masters (Testor) that is called "Brass - Non-Buffing Metalizer". I gave it a shot and I'm not sure I like the outcome. I've used Chrome air-brush paint in the past and it works quite well. With the chrome, after your primer layer you put on a glass black base. Then the chome is sprayed on and the gloss black is allowed to show through slightly, giving the chome a deeper look.
The brass paint has no base paint so you are painting over your (gray) primer. You have to completely paint you item. I'll reserve my final opinion until I apply the label and add the tubes. I plan on looking at what other air-brush paint companies offer to see if there is a better option.
Gigawatts or Jigawatts?
BTTF - Flux Capacitor
Last Updated (Friday, 17 April 2009 01:22) Written by Dan Sunday, 15 March 2009 18:00
We all know what Doc Brown said in the first movie. "I need a nuclear reaction to generate the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity I need". But he pronounced gigawatts as if it were spelled with a "j", as in jigawatts. Being an electrical engineer, I had heard the word pronounced a few times before but always with the "g" sound. I always figured that the word in the movie was made up and just meant to sound like a really large amount. It wasn't unit I started researching this flux capacitor project that I stumbled across a few references to the actual term. 
It turns out that the original pronunciation of "giga" was with the "j" sound. Looking at the entry on Merriam-Webster.com they give two valid pronunciations ji-g-wät and gi-g-wät. They even have a neat audio clip of each being spoken. I am certainly happy that they used the original, older sounding pronunciation of the word since the story involved time travel and Doc Brown conceived of the flux capacitor in 1955. Ironically, most references point to the early 1960's as the first time the term was used. That's ok in the start of the film as it's set in 1985, but in 1955 the younger Doc Brown should have said "1.21 gigawatts? What's a gigawatt Marty?
