Lightning Detectors

[catchtwentytwo]

Does anyone have any experience with lightning detection systems, either portable or permanently installed? To be clear, this is a Lightning question, not a Lighting question.

 

[charlietuna]

We installed a perminent lightning warning system at a public park years ago. It consisted of a 20"x20"x4" panel requiring a 120 volt dedicated circuit. It came with a pole mounted antenna with a ball on top. It had battery backup capability for power failures. It had an optional automatic dialer which require a telephone line and a set of dry contacts NO and NC for the alarm device. We did not purchase the equipment, the community did and we installed it at no-charge. We connected a loud horn made by Edwards with a timing relay which could be heard throughout the facility. I was suprised how sensitive it was, it sensed the danger of lightning way before you saw any indication of an approching storm.

 

[nakulak]

I don't have any direct experience, but here are two links which have some interesting info. the nasa one describes their ldar detection is some detail, the other one is an ad but has some info on prediction.

https://research.maxwell.af.mil/papers/ay2000/afit/afit-gm-enp-00m-05.pdf

http://www.thorguard.com/faq.asp

 

[LarryFine]

Try an AM radio tuned to a dead spot near the low end of the band. The periodic crackling you'll hear is lightning.