Build a simple Marx Generator

Step 5 Power supply

The marx generator requires a low-current, high voltage DC in the range 4-8KV power supply. Small, low-current HV power supplies are found in things like ionisers (air purifiers), photocopiers and laser printers, those should be suitable.

I made my own 6Kv power supply for my marx generator. My power supply is a small homemade 450v inverter with a 18 stage voltage multiplier to get about 7Kv.

OR, you can make your own power supply for your marx generator, go to this instructable: High Voltage Power Supply For Marx Generator

Also the marx generator has no polarity, you can connect it to the HV power supply in any way round.

Comments

[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....

[Kalace]

sry, i need to learn to click the next step

[Kalace]

could this be powered by a Voltage Multiplier?

[Blacklight [HUN]]

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

[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=)

[CKKnot]

I would prefer Transformer, Anyway can u pls tell me the transformer winding need to step-up to about 4-8Kv from a AA battery?

[MAjid6687]

voltage of the power supply is about 6-7Kv ,and the capacitors used in the Marx generator are 4Kv .I think the capacitors will break due to higher voltage ,am I right?

[p8ntball37]

i dont think so because they have resistors and are charged up in parrallel

[JohnMichael]

Disposable cameras use a 1.5 volt battery to charge a 330 volt capacitor. How does that work?

[mad magoo]

JohnMichael: First of all, i know this isn't correct entirely, but it is a simple explanation of how this stuff works, without all that stuff about toroids and collapsing magnetic fields. I know this isn't REALLY how this works, but it's the best explananation I can give. Disposable cameras use a 1.5 volt battery to charge a 330 volt capacitor by turning the direct current ( one constant positive, one constant negative) into Alternating Current ( positive and negative switch places rapidly, like wall power) through a simple circuit with a transistor. When you have alternating current, or AC, you can put it into what is called a transformer. A transformer is a device that usually consists of two coils of wire wrapped around an iron core. One coil will have fewer wraps of wire around the core, and the other will have more. When the low-voltage AC from the battery enters the coil with fewer turns of wire, it turns the iron into an electromagnet, with a different north and south pole every time its positive and negative switch places. That electromagnet, in turn, induces an electric current in the other coil. However, since the other coil has more wraps of wire, the energy is induced in more wire and thus gains voltage, enough to charge the capacitor. I didn't give you any theory behind it, for that you'll have to go to wikipedia, and that's not exactly how it works, but that's a good explanation of how transformers are used. Check out instructables on the joule thief for more info.

[JohnMichael]

That makes sense. I am familiar with transformers. I did not realize the cameras converted DC to AC and then back to DC. With this, if one knew where to tap into the circuit they could use the 'Cockroft-Walton Voltage Multiplier' in place of the transformer to get a high voltage (short lived) charge? How do these relate to the 'Darlington Transistor'? (I appreciate you patience. Electronics and foreign languages appear to be the two things I struggle with.)

[mad magoo]

Also, as for your question about how these relate to Darlington Transistors: There is really no relation I know of ( although that is by no means a guarantee that one doesn't exist). A Darlington Transistor is a pair of transistors connected in such a way as to give them very high gain. I don't know of any relation between them and this.

[mad magoo]

Well, the instructable I posted below really helped me out:: itdoesn't convert DC to AC. Sorry. Look at the instructable below for information. Also, I think that you could use a Cockcroft-Walton multiplier, if you knew where to get into the circuit, but I'm not sure if a Cockcroft-Walton device will take square-wave power, and it would be easier to just rig up a 555 like in the instructable below and hook that up to the multipkier. Check this out for more information: http://www.instructables.com/id/DC_to_DC_Boost_Converter_1/?ALLSTEPS

[Enterrupt]

Hey folks - I have driven a Cockcroft-walton multiplier using a disposable camera board as the source. While engaged, the mini flyback transformer puts out about 400V AC that can be pulled from one of its pins. Please note that operating the disposable cam board in this way seems to fry them rather quickly.

[bylerfamily]

Mini flyback?Where is it located on the board?Beside the flash tube or beside the transistor,diode ect.

[Enterrupt]

If you trace back from the capacitor, you should find a diode and then one of the legs of this transformer. If you want to find it for sure, make sure that you have a meter that can stand ~500VAC. I'd recommend to safely discharge and remove the large capacitor from the circuit first. Then start checking voltage across ground and the pins on the transformer. You should find one at about 400-450VAC. Looks like many boards are in play these days, so it's always a good idea to trace out your particular one. There aren't many components and the traces are large and easy to follow. Ask if you have another q.

[Plasmana]

By using the voltage boost converter, i am not too sure how it works, I'm still leaning. :-)

[shuhia]

how did u make that minatyre transformer chip in the first photo

[Plasmana]

I did not make it, it was manufactured.

[scienceboy63]

Please send schematic for HV power source. I have only worked with low voltage before. Cheers! :) Thanks in advance.

[Plasmana]

High Voltage Power Supply For Marx Generator

[Plasmana]

I will soon!