RE: bug zapper

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>

I have salvaged several BZT's (Bug Zapper Transformers).  The smallest
one I found measured 4.8kV @ 8.7mA, and using it in a small coil
produced 2.25" sparks at first light (i.e. w/ minimal tweaking).  Other
units have measured 5.6kV @9ma, and 6kV @ 9mA.  The thing to remember
about BZT's is that they often (but not always) have a small ceramic cap
potted and internally connected in parallel with the secondary winding.
This is to provide a lethal ZAP to the bugs, but won't work with a TC,
so you must chop through the potting and remove it.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> Original poster: Mike <megavolts61@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> Hi all,
>    I picked up a working bug zapper at a garage sale yesterday...Cost
> me a whole dollar.  :)     Does anyone know the output voltage of
> these things?   It appears as though it might make a good transformer
> for a mini coil.  Better question might be, has anyone tried one and
> found it to be suitable for a coil?  If not,  I have plenty of hv
> diodes and caps and might consider making a CW multiplier and playing
> around with a lifter or something else fun.
> Thanks,
> Mike
>
>