UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post - DIY X-Ray & Auto Jigger transmitter

GrimJosef · 9th Jul 2020, 12:50 pm

I once built a Marx generator demonstrator for an open day at the lab. There was a large rotary handle on the front which, via a couple of pairs of chain-driven step-up cogs, turned a Mini Metro alternator. This powered a solid-state HV invertor which delivered +/-10kV to 5 pairs of 220nF capacitors. So the stored energy at full charge was 110J. The bottom spark-gap in the column self-broke at around this point and the Marx 'erected' (yup, that really is the technical term) delivering 100kV out of the top into a 120mm air arc. The bang wasn't loud enough to be harmful, but we did encourage the audience to put their hands over their ears. They went away impressed too.

Cheers,

GJ

9th Jul 2020, 12:50 pm	#50
GrimJosef Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,311	Re: DIY X-Ray & Auto Jigger transmitter I once built a Marx generator demonstrator for an open day at the lab. There was a large rotary handle on the front which, via a couple of pairs of chain-driven step-up cogs, turned a Mini Metro alternator. This powered a solid-state HV invertor which delivered +/-10kV to 5 pairs of 220nF capacitors. So the stored energy at full charge was 110J. The bottom spark-gap in the column self-broke at around this point and the Marx 'erected' (yup, that really is the technical term) delivering 100kV out of the top into a 120mm air arc. The bang wasn't loud enough to be harmful, but we did encourage the audience to put their hands over their ears. They went away impressed too. Cheers, GJ __________________ http://www.ampregen.com