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Do you like the idea of tesla coils and other high voltage sparking stuff, but don't have the time, money or patience to build something that is elaborate?
Well, here's a fun 'n' simple project that can make big, fat, noisy sparks at least 2 inches long, and can be built very quickly and cheaply. It might be even more fun to use a marx generator than using a 'very complicated to build' tesla coil!
And to let you know, this "Quick & Dirty" Marx generator website helped me a lot to build this marx generator.
If you have no idea what is a marx generator, you might be saying this in your mind "What the hell is a marx generator!", read about it here on Wikipedia.
WARNING! This project generates very high pulse discharge voltages, which can seriously harm and could be potentially lethal to you and others that are careless to touch the output of the marx generator.
Well, here's a fun 'n' simple project that can make big, fat, noisy sparks at least 2 inches long, and can be built very quickly and cheaply. It might be even more fun to use a marx generator than using a 'very complicated to build' tesla coil!
And to let you know, this "Quick & Dirty" Marx generator website helped me a lot to build this marx generator.
If you have no idea what is a marx generator, you might be saying this in your mind "What the hell is a marx generator!", read about it here on Wikipedia.
WARNING! This project generates very high pulse discharge voltages, which can seriously harm and could be potentially lethal to you and others that are careless to touch the output of the marx generator.
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Signing UpStep 1So, how does it work?
The Marx generator consists of an array of resistors, capacitors and spark gaps arranged as follows in the schematic...
The capacitors are charged up in parallel through the resistors, so they each become charged to the input voltage. When all of the spark gaps fires (sparks), the capacitors get effectively connected in series, therefor multiplying the input voltage by the number of capacitors and causing a long spark at the end of the marx generator.
Rb has a ballasting effect, it is used to prevent a continuous arc forming across the first gap - this prevents further firing of the marx generator. The value of the resistor will mainly depend on the type of power supply is used, in this case, we are going to use an 10M resistor for this marx generator on this instructable. However, you can reduce the Bb's value to try get more 'bangs per second' without causing an arc forming on the spark gap...
Now, you know how it works (I hope), so lets build it!
The capacitors are charged up in parallel through the resistors, so they each become charged to the input voltage. When all of the spark gaps fires (sparks), the capacitors get effectively connected in series, therefor multiplying the input voltage by the number of capacitors and causing a long spark at the end of the marx generator.
Rb has a ballasting effect, it is used to prevent a continuous arc forming across the first gap - this prevents further firing of the marx generator. The value of the resistor will mainly depend on the type of power supply is used, in this case, we are going to use an 10M resistor for this marx generator on this instructable. However, you can reduce the Bb's value to try get more 'bangs per second' without causing an arc forming on the spark gap...
Now, you know how it works (I hope), so lets build it!
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( i know this is an old post )
what will i have to do if i want it to run by 18volts only . please give me complete configuration.
will it work if I use only 3 capacitors?
I wanna build this marx generator for my school project but the professor requires the input and output voltage and current (for safety issues) . pleaaaaaaaaaaase help ! :)
I wanna build this marx generator for my school project but the professor requires the input and output voltage and current (for safety issues) . pleaaaaaaaaaaase help ! :)
will it work if I use only 3 capacitors?
i need 50KV to power an x-ray device
I think it's a bit too powerful.
This is really imperessive. One question: Would you sell your MG?
Reply to pierretempel@gmail.com
Thanks!
will it work if I use only 3 capacitors?
I was also wondering if it would be possible to use the high voltage from a disposable camera flash circuit and use a few of the photoflash capacitors instead of the ceramic ones?
Thx
Flybacks are okay when using switching 2n3055's and external drive and feedback windings but the output voltage is around 50KV a little high?
A Company called Brocott do a pocket sized 1000v electric fence gen???
I use a flyback as power supply. It gives me 3kv. Then I rectify it with a HV diode (I'm sure that it's rectified because I can charge other capacitors with it)
the spark from the marx generator is even smaller as the one from my flyback supply :(
what could be wrong here?