Re: ignition coil for high voltage source

["Bill Parn" <parn-at-starpower-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)]

Many Thanks to all that have cleared this up with me.
I was a little mislead, now I understand much better.

Make sure you use that EMI filter.  Sounds like this
could make a really good jacobbs ladder.  Much better
than with the 555 timer and the lower voltage.  I must
try it for fun now.

Does anybody have the answer to how much voltage we
will be getting off the ignition coil with this setup?

Cheers,
Bill Parn


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2000 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: ignition coil for high voltage source


> Original Poster: "Ed Phillips" <evp-at-pacbell-dot-net> 
> 
> Tesla List wrote:
> > 
> > Original Poster: "Bill Parn" <parn-at-starpower-dot-net>
> > 
> > Hi Grayson and Coilers,
> > 
> > I really like the simplicity of this design.  I know the dimmer
> > switch is going to give the spikes of voltage necessary to get
> > the ignition coil to operate, however I was wondering do we need
> > a resistor of some sort to get the 120VAC spikes down more
> > in the range of 18Volts or less to prevent from destroying the
> > ignition coil?
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > Bill Parn
> 
> No resistor, but a fuse might be a good idea in case the series
> capacitor shorts, followed by a not-unlikely catastrophic failure of the
> dimmer.  I have been playing around with a dual GM high-energy coil
> driven with nothing more than a 3 ufd capacitor in series with a cheap
> light dimmer from Home Depot.  Only get around 1-1/2" sparks, much less
> than with my fancy triac driver, but it sure is simple!!!!!!
> 
> By the way, note that the peak currents can be tens of amperes or more,
> depending on the capacitor size.  These current spikes do flow in the
> line and can cause severe interference somewhere else in the house.
> 
> Ed
> 
> 
>