[ampulman]

Originally Posted by AlmostHandy

I thought I would just shunt the energy right to my car battery to charge it up a little, maybe even split it off and charge my neighbors battery too. I'm sure there's enough juice to go around, and he'll love the surprise. I'll probably need a voltage regulator. Do you think a 79L12 would work, or should I go with the 79M12. (Dedicated to Toadwhisperer)

You don't have to wait around for a storm (probably not safe, anyway [very high voltages]).

If you Google "free electricity from the air", you'll find a very simple plan where a long wire is the 'collector', and the parts consist of a spark coil and a spark plug. This is used to charge a battery.

Amp

Oh, don't forget to disconnect (ground) the longwire when storms are predicted.