Soda Can Leyden Jar

The classic Leyden jar (an early form of electrical condenser/capacitor) is a glass or plastic jar lined with foil on the outside and inside, sometimes using salt water or acidified water as the inside electrode. In this Instructable I will describe how to make a simple, powerful Leyden Jar with common household items--no wispy foil and no heavy, messy liquids.

The video clip shows a battery of 6 soda can Leyden jars acting as tank capacitors for a small tabletop Tesla coil.

Step 1 Materials

You will need:

1. An empty hydrogen peroxide bottle, the standard 16 fluid ounce size. These are made of brown HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic.

2. An empty 12 ounce soft drink can. Brand does not matter.

3. Aluminum duct tape. This is used to seal heating and AC ducts. Do not use the common fabric "duck" tape!

4. Round head brass screw, 8-32 size, with two brass washers and one 8-32 nut. An inch and a half long screw is fine. You can use steel hardware, but brass has better conductive properties.

5. A piece of copper wire about 3 inches long.

Optional: Brass 1/4 inch round ball, drilled and tapped for an 8-32 screw. These are usually sold in home centers and lamp shops as lamp repair pieces.

Tools:

Sharp knife
Scissors
Screwdriver to fit the bolt you're using

Comments

[techno guy]

Where can I buy a Wimshurst machine? If you know where to get one at a store, then I would like to know. I cannot buy one from the internet because I have no credit card and I dont trust the computer for putting in a pin number.

[Mr. Apol]

I don't know about stores; I bought mine via the Internet from these folks:

http://www.sci-supply.com/index.asp

I suppose they would take a check or money order rather than a credit card.

[Crtek]

one question...
would it make any difference if instead of putting a soda can inside the peroxyde bottle, i'd just put water inside and connect a wire to the water? (saves time in cutting up the bottle,...)
the outside of course would remain the same (Al on the outher side)

[Mr. Apol]

You would need to use a strong salt solution instead of plain water, then it would work. I don't think it would be as efficient as using a soda can, and the resulting jar would be messier and heavier. But if you're just making one jar as a demo, then salt water would be OK.

Paul

[Crtek]

i'm actually not making just one, i need loads of them (making a tesla coil)
well, i'll just have to make one and see how well it works
thanks for the advice

[Mr. Apol]

See:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Leyden-Jar-Battery-for-Tesla-Coils/


Paul

[snakieee]

now do you think i could use this with a coil gun

[Mr. Apol]

In theory I suppose you could, but you would need a lot of them, as the peroxide bottle Leyden jar usually only has a capacitance of 320-350 pF.

[beehard44]

i saw one with 1nf

[bylerfamily]

Nice!5/5 rating.

[Mr. Apol]

Thank you. Post pictures of your jar, if you have any Paul

[albylovesscience]

shin chan rocks

[bylerfamily]

I don't have a hydrogen peroxide bottle now but when I get one...

[Stuffses]

HEHEHE HAHAHAHA!!!!!! ME LOVES TO SHOCK PEOPLE!!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!