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Registered Member #791
Joined: Sun May 20 2007, 02:02PM
Location: Riga,Latvia
Posts: 5
So. My problem first occurs,in my Jacob's ladder. So,first of all i'm using 1 ignition coil,driven by 555 and switched by 2 in parallel 2n3055,and input from a lab psu 30V 2A. Ok,so my system stands like V electrodes,and if conect (-) and (+) to electrodes nothing will happen.Wit gap size is all ok, but problem is that between electrodes,for example at 5 mm gap nothing occurs,but between 2 wires, or 1 wire 1 electode occurs pretty nice arc and i can "stretch" it to 2 cm long. But sometimes all goes normal. and works normally and pretty nice. Where's the problem? Where's loss? or something? Same problem with my tc. if i connect directly wires to my mmc from ignition coil, spark gap fires only at 1-2 mm or at full contact only. But if i take (-) wire and remove it from contact at mmc, and attach it in about 5 mm in air from contact,there will fire a spark,and also spark gap will work normally, but also something happens with my tc. Huge power loss. Here is a pic: thanks
Also i'm not useing a rectflier diode(because cant find it) and my mmc is 18.85 nf. And also my PSU have strange system. when it detects short circuit he limits (or even stops,dont know) current. maybe this is main problem?
Registered Member #162
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3140
For the Jacobs ladder; 1) 2N3055 is rated for Vce = 60V Driving a typical ignition coil with Vsec/Vpri = 100 the highest voltage output that you should expect is (60V - Vsupply) x 100 = 4800 V 4.8 kV can 'jump' about 1.5 mm between smooth electrodes (much more with 'pointy' electrodes) The MJ15015 (if still available) is a 120V version of the 2N3055 so that would give 9.6 kV Personally I'd change to a mosfet or igbt. 2) You may be able to use a "Gabriel Electrode" (google for it) to start the Jacobs Ladder.
For the Tesla Coil; you MUST rectify the ignition coil output. 30 or more 1N4007 in a string would do, or you could use any hv diode rated for more than 20kV at a few mA.
Registered Member #791
Joined: Sun May 20 2007, 02:02PM
Location: Riga,Latvia
Posts: 5
Many big thanks for the advice.*trying to find a hv diode anywhere in that damn country,named Latvia* BUT why then from the output of my ignition coil i can produce spark about 2.5 cm and arc at least 1 cm? O_o
Registered Member #162
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3140
The output of the ignition coil is a large energy 'spike' every time the primary is switched off the energy stored in an ignition coil magnetic field is about 25mJ 25 mJ into 18.85nF produces about 1.63kV, then the ignition coil will discharge the capacitor. The diode allows successive pulses of energy from the ignition coil to build up the stored energy in the capacitor without discharging the capacitor between pulses.
You are able to get fairly long arcs because your electrodes are 'pointy' See how far the spark can jump between two smooth electrodes (e.g. the round part of two spoons)
Registered Member #530
Joined: Sat Feb 17 2007, 07:56AM
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
Posts: 178
I made a good sized Jacobs Ladder using a dimmer switch, a 12 uF 350V motor run capacitor and two ignition coils - running off 240V. It gave 100 kV @ 200 watts. I've even tried an inverter power supply from a microwave oven - those output serious power to an ignition coil too!
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Spark appearance problems.
