This high voltage power supply consists of a high voltage transformer from an old B&W television and Villard multiplier.
Transformer is energized with any MOSFET halfbridge and gives 20kV voltage with frequency
about 20kHz. Primary is rewound to about 30 turns wound triple by wire diameter
0.5 mm. The Half Bridge Circuit can be used the same as in my
induction heating.
When using IGBT halfbridge,
two transformers and capacitors of larger capacity you can get even higher
power. In this case put primaries of the two transformers in series (15 turns each)
and secondaries in parallel.
The multiplier consists of two capacitors 500pF 60kV, one 30kV 1n and four HV diodes.
Capacitors are made from rolled aluminum foil and plastic. Each of the diodes is composed of sixty
BA159 in series. They are then pulled through the rubber tubing wrapped around a ruler :)
which serves as a supporting structure.
With no load the supply produces up to 100kV. The sparks ingite at about 15 - 20cm. Due to high current, you can draw the arc
up to 35 cm long. Because the capacitors in multiplier, discharges are quite
noisy. (Capacitors are discharged in pulses, the current does not flow continuously). Withno load you can
feel electric wind at distance up to 75cm and elektrostatic forces are moving light objects and wires.
