Jacobs ladder

Re: Jacobs ladder

Jerry Maske

The problem is FINDING a neon transformer. I've studied all the literature and understand the procedure pretty well. I want a transformer with a secondary voltage over fifteen thousand. There are some out there but I don't want to have to take out a new mortgage to get one.

Voltage Potential that high will produce a more detailed pattern that the 10K Microwave transformers. Those will work, just not as well, or so it seems.

Anyway, if anyone has a source for neon transformers in that voltage range, or higher, I'd like to know about it.

Thanks,

Jerry

Re: Jacobs ladder

Bill Howatt

I seem to recall back in my younger days that oil-furnace ignition transformers were used as well for a Jacob's ladder.

Bill

Tesla coils

Ralph Lindberg

another search phrase to look for

Re: Jacobs ladder  *LINK*


ebay

Re: Jacobs ladder  *LINK*


more ebay

Re: Tesla coils

Gbalock

I am looking at these transformers an wondering about the safety issues. The amperage is low but the voltage is insanely high. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Stun guns are 20k to 50k

Safety Issues

Doc Green

Now that you brought it up ... I have a thought or two. First one is that you can get killed if you aren't careful.

I think the most dangerous are the microwave transformers. If the voltage is 10kV and the power delivered is 600 watts for a typical microwave, the transformer has to supply a current of about 60 milliamps. That is dangerous.

I suspect the current capability of neon transformers is less but still enough to give a nasty shock. On the other hand, the voltage output of a Tesla coil is far higher but the current is much less. Plus, the output of a Tesla coil is high frequency which tends not to penetrate solid objects as easily as low frequency stuff.

Here's the kicker: with voltages in the thousands of volts, you have to have specially insulated wires, like spark plug wires, in order to keep the juice where you want it. It will easily go through ordinary insulation like on wire used for house wiring, which is typically rated up to 600 V. And it will go where you least expect it, like across the surface of a workbench, and it can arc through the air to reach out and touch anything nearby.

I have experience with neon transformers, spark coils, Tesla coils, and van de Graff generators, and they all have my respect. You gotta be careful. ~Doc

Re: Safety Issues

gbalock

Doc,

Thanks for the information. I am going to rethink this. I have certainly tempted fate enough for one lifetime.

George

Re: Safety Issues

David Walser

In a recent YouTube video, Tim Yoder shows the process of burning fractal patterns onto a turned vessel. Tim took his turned hollow form to an artist who uses the technique in his work. They stressed some of the safety precautions taken: the artist wears insulated rubber gloves and stands on a rubber mat. Usually, when Tim visits a guest artist's shop, he comes back to his own shop to try out what he learned. Not this time. It's too dangerous!

Re: Safety Issues

John K Jordan

There are hazards with everything. But I think the bottom line with electricity is unless you know EXACTLY what to expect and how to handle it, it is best to back away, leave it alone, do something else!

I was one of the science geeks in high school - we invited many learning opportunities with chemistry and electricity. But one friend woke up on the floor some distance from his device. Another got a bad burn. One guy set his parents house slightly on fire. We made things arc and spark and made bangs that would have attracted homeland security these days. I know my guardian angel never got bored.

JKJ

Re: Safety Issues

Dale Gillaspy

I got my Neon sign transformer from a sign company. Just walked in and asked them for an old one they weren't using anymore. I think I gave them $20 for it.