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Registered Member #10
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 09:45AM
Location: Bunbury, Australia
Posts: 1424
Here is a project for beginners for fast sparks with a minimum component count.
It uses a relay as a vibrator to turn current on and off rapidly to an ignition coil.
Parts 1 12V SPST relay (single pole single throw) Can also use DPST (double pole double throw). 2 1 microFarad capacitor (polyester - greencap) over 200V rating 3 Ignition coil (from wreckers) 4 Wood, nails and solder 5 Power supply. Need 12 volt at 4A. Or car battery (take out of car first)
Advantages Simple Non lethal but must take care with high voltage. Parts fairly easily obtainable from different places (Electronics store, Wreckers)
Disadvantages Draws a lot of power Not efficient Will over-heat the coil in long runs Causes interference to some power supplies. Relay lifetime will be limited.
Registered Member #10
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 09:45AM
Location: Bunbury, Australia
Posts: 1424
I often get people with little experience wanting to make a Tesla coil as a first HV project. Often schoolkids looking to do a science fair project.
I have been very reluctant to encourage Tesla coil building in that age group. I've often had to point them off to other sites for simple HV projects.
This has been the motivation behind this little project. In fact it was the way I got into HV when I was 14 and I used a multivibrator out of a valve radio set to run two IC's. It is pretty safe and lots to learn and do with nothing really critical.
Photo shows the identical circuit running 2 coils in 1972.
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Sparks for beginners
Could not it break down?
