Are you tired of those old black speakers that only just make sounds? Maybe sound reactive lights are just not enough to impress you? How about a Plasma Speaker?
A plasma speaker is a device that generates an high voltage electrical arc that makes purple light and music! Without any speakers or any moving parts! Sounds too good to be true? Well, you're wrong, the high voltage arc really does 'sing' by vibrating in the air. (Of course, you will need to give the device musical audio for it to work.) And just leave this instructable if you still don't believe me...
And this is something I always wanted to build - I have been dreaming to build one for about 6 months, until Kiteman has greatly boosted my encouragement to build one. (Thanks Kiteman!)
The video of my plasma speaker - early prototype.
A plasma speaker is a device that generates an high voltage electrical arc that makes purple light and music! Without any speakers or any moving parts! Sounds too good to be true? Well, you're wrong, the high voltage arc really does 'sing' by vibrating in the air. (Of course, you will need to give the device musical audio for it to work.) And just leave this instructable if you still don't believe me...
And this is something I always wanted to build - I have been dreaming to build one for about 6 months, until Kiteman has greatly boosted my encouragement to build one. (Thanks Kiteman!)
The video of my plasma speaker - early prototype.
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Signing UpStep 1: The dangers you must know...
A plasma speaker is no toy...
Health Hazard
Unlike the ordinary speakers, the plasma speaker are dangerous high voltage device, do NOT attempt to build this device unless you know what you are doing... And do NOT even attempt to build one if you have heart problems or weak heart or wearing a pacemaker, because one little shock from this thing can put you out...
I am not responsible for any injuries or deaths caused by this device.
Why should you know all of this? it is because you can ONLY live once, and no more...
If you don't think that you shouldn't build one, just watch movies of it working instead, much better than risking your life to build and operate one.
If you think you are okay to build one without killing your self, then move on to the next step.
Hazard to Electronics
Since the plasma speaker generates high voltages, there is a chance there will be high voltage spikes on the low voltage side of the device, which can get onto the audio line and damage (or destroy) the player. They are some safety features to prevent the spikes damaging the player, but they can fail... So I am not responsible if your player gets damaged, and use cheap players like CD players, if you're rich, you can use expensive players if you want. :-)
Health Hazard
Unlike the ordinary speakers, the plasma speaker are dangerous high voltage device, do NOT attempt to build this device unless you know what you are doing... And do NOT even attempt to build one if you have heart problems or weak heart or wearing a pacemaker, because one little shock from this thing can put you out...
I am not responsible for any injuries or deaths caused by this device.
Why should you know all of this? it is because you can ONLY live once, and no more...
If you don't think that you shouldn't build one, just watch movies of it working instead, much better than risking your life to build and operate one.
If you think you are okay to build one without killing your self, then move on to the next step.
Hazard to Electronics
Since the plasma speaker generates high voltages, there is a chance there will be high voltage spikes on the low voltage side of the device, which can get onto the audio line and damage (or destroy) the player. They are some safety features to prevent the spikes damaging the player, but they can fail... So I am not responsible if your player gets damaged, and use cheap players like CD players, if you're rich, you can use expensive players if you want. :-)
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I used my plasmaspeaker for over a year now but I have a problem.
I always used a laptop power supply (90 watt) for the flyback transformer and last week I bought a heavyduty power supply (50 volt/16 amps, 800VA) and now I killed my MOSFET (IRF640). My question is; wich MOSFET can I use for pulling a few hundred watts without killing it. The max the IRF640 took was 26 volts and about 3.80 amps (at 30 volt and 4 amps it blew up). I had a 2SK1082 MOSFET laying arround but that doesnt work very well. I got a very little arc from that one.
Please help me, I really need a MOSFET that can handle much more current/voltage and still give a nice big fat arc from the flyback.
Greetings,
Jochem
I got 2 irfb20n50k's now. 500V 20A and I guess they can handle 280 watt at 25 degrees celcius. Atleast that is what I read in the datasheet. :) This MOSFET works great at 35V and 3.4A but I don't want to blow it up, haha. Got a 50V 16A (800VA) toroidal transformer attached to it with a variac and a 100V 22000uF capacitor.
This MOSFET don't get that hot with a CPU cooler attached to it and I got a pretty long and loud arc. But I guess the MOSFET can handle even more! :)
Here is a movie of my power supply and plasma speaker (only on 25V) :p
When ever I bother myself to make another of these I think I'm gonna add a 148watt Peltier cooler. Might help those poor MOSFETS from dying? =)
Here is just another video of my plasma speaker at 34 volt this time.
The arc is now longer and louder! :)
I will probably crank the voltage up some more in the near future, but I really hope I don't pop the MOSFET. :P
And maybe I will build a volt and amp meter in it aswell. Looks alot better then a separate volt and amp meter if u ask me! :)
I bought this stuff a week ago so that's why it lays all over the floor. :p
About dying of MOSFETS, I guess if u stay in the voltage, amps and watt range of what they can handle, u will be fine and keep them cool as possible. :)
please help me, 'cause i've built all the rest right and it doesn't work.
PS is there any difference in using a "non solid core copper wire" for the windings?
AMAZING STUFF I freakin love that you did this. I made a little prototype much like your original one. I was going to make a final one and was excited then I put the project down and it has been forgotten. That was almost ten years ago. I am once again excited about thi and am starting my build again. Thanks,
Nice job
Ohh and to anyone else reading the warning given for this build is no joke and it isnt just a warning like be careful itll shock you It is very seriously do not do unless you are 100 percent sure you kow about the fundamentals of electricity. You must understand how electricity works and how to protect your self from its power. This can kill. If you have even a little doubt then you are not ready to do this. Go and read up on electricity there are uhndreds of tutorials on it. \
With that said anyone with the experience and knowledge will love the display this gives. I was amazed the first time it was to unbelievable
Says " This video is private. "..
Can you let me see it ?
A
Love The Smiths!
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3538773&clickid=prod_cs
radioshack isnt the best place for components but batteries should be fine lol
Power supplies are not recommended as they have 'noise' in the lines, it will interfere the performance of the plasma speaker.
If you use a oscilloscope's AC coupling setting it will reject the supply's DC and reveal any ripple
and
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp?N=731+2031+204275&Ntk=gensearch&Ntt=22K+potentiometer&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial
might be what your looking for
I am wondering if you mean 0.47uf or 0.047uf at 250v becuse i am bulding one this weekend (4 days away).
I was also wondering if i could use the cpu cooler from a dell poweredge 1850 server.
Thankyou verry much.
http://www.collectiblearcadejukeboxespinball.com/flyback-transformer/
Any ideas to contribute or counsel for/against this idea? Thanks