Re: Marx Generator

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Dr. Resonance by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com>

If you are going for a 1 MEV output you should charge at around 100 kV per
stage x 10 stages.  You will need a 100 kV DC power source rated around 5-10
kVA to do an efficient job.

Trying to go this high with a flyback circuit and only a few mA won't work.
The leakage currents may exceed you power supply's ability to charge the cap
bank, and also, after 20-25 stages the efficiency level becomes rather low.
Leakage currents inside caps and also on connections multiply as additional
stages are added.

Another problem is that energy discharge caps should be charged rapidly
(under 60 sec.) and then discharged promptly.  Leaving them full charge
strains the dielecric.  Ideally they charge in 60 sec or less and then
discharge in less than 10 sec. after reaching full charge.

You can hit 20 - 30 kV DC with a flyback circuit and then charge a 10 stage
unit up to around 200-300 kV DC but after that too many problems will come
up.  Keep your unit to 10-15 stage maximum for reasonable efficiency.  After
that you need to be charging at a high voltage.

Dr. Resonance

Resonance Research Corporation
E11870 Shadylane Rd.
Baraboo   WI   53913
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 11:23 PM
Subject: Marx Generator


 > Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<Robynsaddiction-at-aol-dot-com>
 >
 > Hello List,
 >
 >         This does not pertain to Tesla Coils. However, it does pertain to
high
 > voltage, and I am in need of council. I am preparing to construct a one
 > million volt Marx Bank, and my problem involves the charging supply that
 > feeds the bank. I have two hundred 12kV 5mA diodes that are used in
 > multiplier circuits for televisions. These will be used in the charging
 > supply for the bank. Unfortunately, these diodes fail quite frequently in
my
 > current multiplier (fed by a flyback). Anyhow, I am wondering if I can
just
 > hook the diodes up in a 2 by 2 fashion (2 parallel by two in series)
without
 > placing any resistors or caps across the diodes in order to evenly
distribute
 > reverse voltage. Also, can someone lead me to a design for a multiplier
that
 > does not fail when shorted (one with a protection circuit). Also, what can
be
 > done to prevent kickback when the bank fires. Currently, I am trying to
find
 > a way to pot the multiplier so that it can be disassembled if a diode does
 > blow. This means that potting in epoxy or potting compound will not do.
 > Perhaps an oil bath will do? Yet, I have made multipliers submerged in oil
 > before, and unfortunately the oil seeps out of the wires. Well, thanks for
 > any pointers that any of you might have.
 >                                             In Friendship, Richard Harris
 >
 >