Retro Styled high voltage power supply

This is my second HV power supply. It's an improved Ruhmkorff coil, made with automotive parts (ignition coil and capacitor), a relay and a filter (to protect the battery). This is also called "ignition coil driver" or "Tickler".

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ignition
• coil
• high
• voltage
• power
• supply
• ruhmkorff

[frac]

How long does a relay last in a situation like this? When you read the specs on cheap relays, they often say something like 100K+ cycles. I'm sure they usually last a lot more cycles than that, and for most circuits that's quite respectable. In something like this, though, it would seem you'd be replacing the relay every couple of hours.

[Zone51]

@frac That's a good question. I've already burned a relay during test. But i salvage relays from old equipements, so it doesnt cost a thing. A also reuse burned relays as solenoids.

This supply power a homemade tea laser, which doesn't run for long periods of time.

I use an old car battery, so the power is limited, i added a capacitor to protect relay's contacts., and i noticed that sparks are tinier when the circuit is charged. So i think that power supply is reliable.

[Zone51]

@Zone51 Also, vibrators, from old car radios worked like this with no problems...

[tplami]

I love it. Could you send me a schematic of your ignition coil driver.

[sukhoiatr]

Very good!