In this Instructable I will teach you how to build a High voltage power supply using an Ignition Coil.This project uses a 555 timer based circuit.We use a 555 IC because an ignition coil needs a squire wave signal to power it. so basically the 555 timer is making pulsed DC electricity which powers the ignition coil.

Step 1: Danger High Voltage!!!

This project shows how to make a High voltage power supply which produces about 30 or more MA, which is enough to Kill you! so Don't try this if you are not experienced with high voltage!

Step 2: Getting an Ignition Coil

The first thing you need to do is to get an ignition coil,I got mine from a friend who's dad works on cars,but you can buy a new one for like $30, Or you can get one from the junkyard for about $5.The reason we use an ignition coil is because ignition coils are what power the spark plugs with high voltage. so instead of hooking it to a spark plug you can use it as a high voltage supply.

here is a pic of the two ignition coils I got.

Step 3: The Driver Circuit Scematic

This is the driver circuit that powers the ignition coil .
part list:

two 10k ohm potentiometers
two 1k ohm resistors
one 555 timer IC
one 8-dip IC socket
one 100 ohm resistor
one .1uf 12v capacitor
one 2n3055 power transistor and heatsink
12v 6amp DC power supply

Step 4: Gather All Your Componments...

There are a few components that are missing from this image because I ordered them and they are not here yet.

Step 5: Solder All Your Components

now you need to solder all your components using the schematic.

Step 6: Hook It Up to the Ignition Coil

now you need to hook up the the power supply to your circuit,and then the out put of the circuit to the ignition coil

Step 7: Finished!

now your finished! now just turn on the supply and adjust the frequency using the potentiometer until you get a good arc! you can use this to: power a Tesla coil, power a Jacobs ladder, and much much more!