Build a simple Marx Generator

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.

Step 1 So, 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!

Comments

[Dreistein]

hey i'd like to make a device i can attach to say my foot ,that if i touch someone they would get a shock basically like when you walk with socks over a carpet but the effect is automated. A guy made an ible http://www.instructables.com/id/The-mini-electrostatic-generator/ where he makes what im describing but its not very detailed. any ideas?

[Aron313]

Im gonna try to build one over the summer!

[zineb790]

hi!
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 ! :)

[BrunoG]

The scary step (step 2) First line:

The marx generators are dangerous high voltage generating machines, they produce a pulse discharge of many thousands of volts at approximately 5 to 10 amps! If the spark from the marx generator bites you, your life is over...

[vamsi1]

can any one give circuit details of 450v inveter used in above instrutable

[vamsi1]

Can any one give me circuit details and if possible circuit diagram for 450v inverter....

[nathanielg]

(im actually fairly smart in electronics i just have no other way to really say this) i have shiny solder and when i melt it it is stilly shiny but when it cools it is dingy and looks like crap can anyone tell my why?

[looking4ideas]

That is most likely because you are using a lead free solder.

( i know this is an old post )

[timishier]

I guess that would be because of the oxidation of the solder( lead / tin) when it cools down it creates a little layer of oxidation, in theory you could prevent this by spraying something airtight over it.

[Kalace]

sry, i need to learn to click the next step

[Kalace]

could this be powered by a Voltage Multiplier?

[somebody12345]

how am i supposed to make this? the capacitors are obsilete

[devendra kaithal]

people just tell me how can we make a marx generator powered by 18 v battery...
what will i have to do if i want it to run by 18volts only . please give me complete configuration.

[madbot1999]

Hi, I don´t have any 6KV power source, but I have a 1500V one.
will it work if I use only 3 capacitors?

[zineb790]

hi!
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 ! :)

[madbot1999]

Hi, I don´t have any 6KV power source, but I have a 1500V one.
will it work if I use only 3 capacitors?

[robot797]

how can i make this make sparks nonstop (50KV non stop)

i need 50KV to power an x-ray device

[Blacklight [HUN]]

Is it ok if I use a 555 timer driven flyback transformer?
I think it's a bit too powerful.

[techxpert]

i can't find any cap past 3kv will it do

[jaydenr]

Will it work to use 1nF, 6Kv ceramic capacitor? cant find 4kv

[p8ntball37]

it will take longer to charge up, but the spark will be much bigger!

[bwang]

Yes.

[ptempel]

Hi!

This is really imperessive. One question: Would you sell your MG?
Reply to [e-mail]

Thanks!

[tulavatalo]

shematics please on the power supply in the video

[nathanielg]

i have a schrmatic of the one i built (inverter) but when i want to connect the outputs to a transformer the trasistor gets shorted out. I found this to be because one of my output pins is also a pin for the transistor. if anyone can help me with this problem it would be greatly appreciated.and tuluvatalo if you still want the schematic i wll post it on my page?

[tulavatalo]

yes thank you

[Plasmana]

Sorry, I don't have one.. :(

[madbot1999]

Hi, I don´t have any 6KV power source, but I have a 1500V one.
will it work if I use only 3 capacitors?

[nerd7473]

I have aspergers too its funny how i mess up on the simplest things like direct shorts i keep forgetting that there has to be something there so it doesnt trip the braker.

[sabre]

I love the instructable, but could you post a schematic of the small inverter you show here? I would like to be able to run the marx generator off of a battery.

[sabre]

on second thought... Would a camera flash circuit do the trick, or is that still DC power?

[nathanielg]

its ac if u bypass the diode and also if you take off the little transistor and the trandformer close to it and find the traces from the battery and the transistor and the transformer you can create your own i mean i did it in like 10-15 minutes and i was 13

[nathanielg]

not meaning to sound rude i was just explaining the simplicity=)

[PINKmonster325]

First of all, nice instructable. I am very interested in high-voltage experiments like this.

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

[inspecter gadget]

Wow It's a wicked Project-It took less than a week to get the components-had to shop around a bit -and had to use [x2] 22k 1W resistors instead of the two 25K listed-two evenings later and some fiddling about with getting the gaps to fire together-then power on after some saftey mods. Click Click Click ...SNAP SNAP SNAP!!!!!!!!!!!!! very punchy indeed-Very Lethal but very nice--------Tesla Would be proud.......

[inspecter gadget]

Oh me again -using the voltage step-ladder circuit saved the hassle of searching for a decent input [driving] supply................

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???

[Electorials]

my marx generator is making sparks over the gaps, but I don't get a big spark from all the capacitors in series. It doesn't help when I put the gaps closer or further apart :(

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?

[joehudy]

what wold hapin if insted of using a capasitor i used a ladin jar

[bibbibbib]

anyone know of an american place that sells the components

[joehudy]

frys electronics ,and one online company elenco relly good and relly nice.