Minimum Voltage for a Demo Fusor
-
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:10 am
- Real name: Tom Davies
Minimum Voltage for a Demo Fusor
Hi,
I'm building a demo fusor for a school project, and I was wondering what the minimum voltage needed was? Putting two microwave oven transformers in series and then rectifying the output should give me about 4000 VDC. Would that be enough?
Tom Davies
I'm building a demo fusor for a school project, and I was wondering what the minimum voltage needed was? Putting two microwave oven transformers in series and then rectifying the output should give me about 4000 VDC. Would that be enough?
Tom Davies
-
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 10:24 pm
- Real name: Ross Moffett
-
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2002 12:50 pm
- Real name:
Re: Minimum Voltage for a Demo Fusor
I have seen star mode with a flyback transformer. it was not very bright, but distinct. You don't need very much voltage for plasma.
I'd recommend a NST (neon sigh transformer) for a demo fusor.
Your comment about putting 2 MOTs in series concerns me, do you understand the break-down voltage problem? There is no safe way to use two MOTs in series.
I'd recommend a NST (neon sigh transformer) for a demo fusor.
Your comment about putting 2 MOTs in series concerns me, do you understand the break-down voltage problem? There is no safe way to use two MOTs in series.
-
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:19 pm
- Real name:
Re: Minimum Voltage for a Demo Fusor
MOTs are a terrible idea. Please, for your own safety and the financial wellbeing of your life-insurance company, use a NST. While you certain can employ MOTs to power a fusor (using several chained together with a multiplier on the output), they are exceptionally dangerous.
-
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:10 am
- Real name: Tom Davies
Re: Minimum Voltage for a Demo Fusor
Thank you for your fast response with the link, and thanks also for the warnings about MOTs.
I was thinking of MOTs over NSTs for the sake of cost (I can fairly easily scavenge some MOTs) but I will look into getting an NST now.
I hadn't heard of the breakdown voltage problem but thanks for the pointer, I am still very much in the research phase of this project at the moment.
I was thinking of MOTs over NSTs for the sake of cost (I can fairly easily scavenge some MOTs) but I will look into getting an NST now.
I hadn't heard of the breakdown voltage problem but thanks for the pointer, I am still very much in the research phase of this project at the moment.
-
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:10 am
- Real name: Tom Davies
Re: Minimum Voltage for a Demo Fusor
Is there somewhere where all the FAQ forum posts are accessible together? I may be being stupid but I can't see such a place, and searching FAQ's or similar doesn't really give useful results.
-
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 10:24 pm
- Real name: Ross Moffett
Re: Minimum Voltage for a Demo Fusor
When you entered the High Voltage forum, and pressed "New Topic?" Immediately above that. Different set of FAQs in each forum, for each subject.
-
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:10 am
- Real name: Tom Davies
-
- Posts: 578
- Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:29 am
- Real name:
Re: Minimum Voltage for a Demo Fusor
MOT are dangerous due to the current they can output. It can be deadly. NSTs are less likely to kill you because of the current limited to lower levels (typically 30 mA). Also, hooking up MOts in series is bad. There are ways to wire MOTs together, but not in simple series. One MOT with the diode and capacitor from the microwave oven will provide ~ 3.3 KV. Again , the current can kill. A MOT with a primary side ballest to limit current (to safer levels) and a diode or better yet a bridge rectifier will provide ~ 1700 volts. This is the way to go if you cannot use an NST. You can use voltage multipliers (1/2 stage like above) or 1,2,3 stages. But again, the capacitors store a lot of current so that you are vulnerable to fatal shocks even with the appropriate primary ballast.
A modest NST might be rated at ~ 6,000 to 12,000 volts. Two diodes and you have DC voltage of ~ 4,000 to 8,000 volts. This is the simplest and relatively safest approach. Old oil burner transformers is another option.
As for the voltage required, a faint glow may be seen at only 300-400 volts. Brighter at higher voltages.
Also, don't forget the Variac (variable transformer ) to control the voltage.
Dan Tibbets
A modest NST might be rated at ~ 6,000 to 12,000 volts. Two diodes and you have DC voltage of ~ 4,000 to 8,000 volts. This is the simplest and relatively safest approach. Old oil burner transformers is another option.
As for the voltage required, a faint glow may be seen at only 300-400 volts. Brighter at higher voltages.
Also, don't forget the Variac (variable transformer ) to control the voltage.
Dan Tibbets