University First Fusor build

[TrajanCella]

Hello all,

Me and my colleague are wanting to build a fusor similar to a video we watched on youtube, https://youtu.be/VTBZ0VwIgs8 , and we reviewed the design template on the homepage and have a few questions before we start. To give some clarification, we intend to use helium not deuterium as we do not have the capacity to make a safe and feasible design for a full fusor but if we succeed on a helium fusor we would like to make a deuterium one in the future. We already know the size pump we need and have designed a high-voltage system that should work. What sort of piping and valve system should we use? It appears that shut-off valves are needed. But in the diagram on the home page it lists, on the pump side, a vacuum pump, a valve, a trap, and another valve, but what sort of trap is this referring to? A steam trap? And if so, what is the purpose in this design to have it? Similarly, if we are using helium from a tank, do we need a reservoir and regulator on our gas line, or just a needle valve to throttle the flow into the chamber? Naturally, we also need a pressure gauge which has also been handled but is their anything else in the build we are missing?

Please give any advice, information, and clarification if you can. We would like to start our design as soon as possible.
Thank you

[Liam David]

The diagram you are referencing has some problems... it's outdated and should be replaced. I'd advise you to start at e.g. viewtopic.php?p=12184#p12184 and then read all the FAQs.

I'd also strongly advise that you avoid referencing the Plasma Channel video for designing your device. This design is likely inspired by the pompous Will From London Youtube build video which is ripe with misinformation. Also, avoid the Make Magazine style fusor which is likely the source for many of these bad ideas.

Read, read a lot more, before you put more money into this.

The trap is a foreline metal wool or molecular sieve trap. It is not necessary for a demo fusor like you want to build.

[Mark Rowley]

I fully concur with Liam on the referenced video and the Make fusor. Both are highly inaccurate and if fusion is your goal, replication will cause frustration, failure, and wasted money.

Mark Rowley

[Dennis P Brown]

Agree with the posters here but wondering what power supply you do have? A fusor supply tends to be rather heavy, and not inexpensive (and very lethal);the bare minimum for voltage is 20 kV and the supply rating should be no less than 200 watts. There are many low cost and not suitable supplies that have high voltage but no real power. Such supplies will not do fusion. Polarity (neg.) is also critical.

Without knowing what type of helium tank you plain on using, rather difficult to answer that question. But most high pressure tanks require a two stage regulator AND a leak valve to control gas entry into a fusor. So if your goal is doing real fusion, a helium regulator will NOT work on a deuterium tank (reverse threads.) So a helium tank regulator system would be a waste of money (big time.) Just use air for a demo.

The list of what you are missing is long and detailed. So read the various FAQ's on the subject under the various headings related to fusors (Liam has given you a great start), and related support systems. Like a neutron detecting system is required if you plan on proving you are doing fusion.

Once you have a working knowledge of what a fusor requires, do ask questions before buying expensive equipment in order to determine if it is 'right' for what you are building.