Opinions on WiederLabs 100kV Feedthrough

[Conner Ruhl]

Hello all, I am considering purchasing the 100kV feedthrough from WiederLabs (www.wiederlabs.com/index.php?main_page= ... ucts_id=25). Has anyone used these feedthroughs before? Are there any reasons these aren't a good option?

[Tyler Christensen]

First off, unless you're making a fusor to crush every fusor record times a hundred, that is a very overkill feedthrough.

I'm guessing Wieder labs doesn't actually make it themselves since as far as I know, they are largely a small company formed from a DIY environment. This would make it difficult to do things such as ceramic forming and metal-to-ceramic vacuum sealing. This implies they are likely reselling it at a profit, so you might be able to get it cheaper from other vacuum companies.

[Mike Beauford]

A 100Kv feed-through is overkill for a fusor. Getting a power supplier that can pump that out is going to cost you $$$.

Mike

[Conner Ruhl]

I doesn't have to be run at 100kV does it? I was under the impression you could select the voltage going to the grid.

[Tyler Christensen]

Yes, that is true... but the point is it's a waste of money to get a 100kV 3A feedthrough if all you're ever going to run is 30kV 10mA... $1175 is quite possibly more than anyone on this site has ever paid for a feedthrough.

[Carl Willis]

It's certainly a high-quality off-the-shelf component with price to match. For comparison shopping, and to get an idea what other designs feature, look at offerings by Ceramaseal and Insulator Seal (ISI/MDC).

Whether or not 100kV is overkill depends on your ambitions. I have had good success potting small (~20 kV) fluted insulators under oil on the air side in order to hold off 100+ kV; this is more economical and saves space compared to the air-insulated approach.

-Carl

[Conner Ruhl]

I am planning to build a fusor that operates at over 1MN/S. I thought that many people on here had used 60kV before, so I didn't think 100kv was that big of a deal. I will definatley look into other companies though, thanks for the heads up.

[Conner Ruhl]

What other sources can provide that kind of feed through? I have a pretty considerable budget ($10,000), but am still looking to be very frugal (I am trying to go under $5,000).

Edit: I have access to a 100kV power supply that is relatively inexpensive.

[swiederhold]

We actually do manufacture our own feedthroughs. I can provide more details on the manufacturing process, if there is interest.

I’ve attached a photo showing the positive mold machined from wax, the negative mold made from potter’s plaster, and the final fired insulator.

Scott Wiederhold
WiederLabs

[Conner Ruhl]