Print PDF
Favorite
Email
Step 4Troubleshooting
The first time I build the circuit, it worked immediately. I used a 26 watt CFL.
Then I decided to get a bigger CFL and I build it exactly like the first circuit. It didn't work. I was disappointed. I thought that the CFL electronics were shot.
But when I reconnected the fluorescent tube to the four wires, the CFL worked again. I realized that this type of CFL circuit needed to "sense" the filaments in order to operate. Remember, I was only using the outer wires and leaving the two inner wires alone.
So I put a resistor across the outer wire and the inner wire. The circuit worked! But within seconds the resistor was in flames.
So I decided to use a capacitor in place of resistor. The capacitor allows AC currents but blocks DC while a resistor allow both AC and DC currents to flow through it. Also a capacitor does not heat up because it provides a low resistance path for AC currents.
The capacitor worked great! The arcs produced were very big and thick.
So in summary there two things that can go wrong:
1. You wired it wrong, either on the CFL side or the flyback side.
2. The CFL electronics needs to sense the filament and you can use a capacitor as a substitute.
Use a high voltage rated capacitor. Mine was 400V and I got it from another CFL circuit.
While troubleshooting, be very careful, you are dealing with very high voltages and high currents.
When soldering, disconnect the circuit from the power outlet.
Then I decided to get a bigger CFL and I build it exactly like the first circuit. It didn't work. I was disappointed. I thought that the CFL electronics were shot.
But when I reconnected the fluorescent tube to the four wires, the CFL worked again. I realized that this type of CFL circuit needed to "sense" the filaments in order to operate. Remember, I was only using the outer wires and leaving the two inner wires alone.
So I put a resistor across the outer wire and the inner wire. The circuit worked! But within seconds the resistor was in flames.
So I decided to use a capacitor in place of resistor. The capacitor allows AC currents but blocks DC while a resistor allow both AC and DC currents to flow through it. Also a capacitor does not heat up because it provides a low resistance path for AC currents.
The capacitor worked great! The arcs produced were very big and thick.
So in summary there two things that can go wrong:
1. You wired it wrong, either on the CFL side or the flyback side.
2. The CFL electronics needs to sense the filament and you can use a capacitor as a substitute.
Use a high voltage rated capacitor. Mine was 400V and I got it from another CFL circuit.
While troubleshooting, be very careful, you are dealing with very high voltages and high currents.
When soldering, disconnect the circuit from the power outlet.
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
I had built a layden jar with foil tape the same night which didn't work as I thought so I attached the flyback to it and the results improved by double. It still won't be enough to power a jacobs ladder but I think I'm on the right track. I hope this helps. BTW look at the circuit board that the flyback was attached to for hints as to what pin is what. I at the very least found a pin labled B+ and a few labeled "G" which helped me choose the primary ground pins....
I can get green caps (well brown caps) but i dont know if i can get hv polarised capacitors.
What is the output ? in AC or DC
My flyback has 11 pins. The 11th is the ground. 1 and 2 are the primaries. Hooked it up and I get orange/white spark between 10 and 11. I get purple plasma between 7 and 8. Nothing from the HV.
Fear- My flyback is shot.
Hope- I can stick a cap or resistor to the pins to rechannel the voltage.
What should I try?
I believe that is because the light takes to much power, am i right?
I read on that you said you can take a capacitor and put it on it, but i dont have the 400v ones. I only have a 200v 22uF and a 200v 16uF. Would those work?
Also how would i go about installing the capacitors? Like what pins do i use and polarity?
I have added pictures.
BUT WAIT THERES MORE!
I had to bridge 3 pins temporarily to get it to stay on. It turns out my flybacks Highvoltage coil was shot. but I got mild 0.5cm arc across the shattered PVC board that the flyback is connected to, and once I got a 1 inch arc from the CFL board. I ended up blowing a 10 ohm 1/2 watt resister I replaced it with a 1 watt resister plugged it in then FLASH... something else blew instantly. Now I'm going to try a 23W CFL. I'm just trying for a constant 1 inch arc.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=46931-75774-017801997118&lpage=none
and i used a flyback transformer from a 15inch CRT conputer monitor, also my spark doesnt move up the copper wire i used as "posts" it just sits in the same spot......