Re: [TCML] "Lifter" power supply questions

["Hal Krohn" <2halice@xxxxxxx>]

Howdy,

A QUALITY 17" color computer monitor works well as an ion wind lifter power supply and may last for a very long time.  However, if you use a 17" from a cheaper brand computer, or try to use a smaller monitor, you will find that they will not be robust enough to handle the lifter's current requirements very long, perhaps an hour's flight time or less, before the monitor goes up in smoke.  

Here's my lifter page: http://www.halice.com/physics/lifters.html  Here are videos of two of my lifters running off of a quality monitor I have been using for demonstrations for OVER FOUR YEARS: http://www.halice.com/physics/lifters/flight3.wmv http://www.halice.com/physics/lifters/lifter3a.wmv  http://www.halice.com/physics/lifters/lifter3b.wmv

In regard to making your own power supply, you may find yourself burning up a few lifters before you get your power supply current adjusted to an acceptible level.  KaPla!!

Cordially, Hal from Tucson


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mrapol@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 8:53 AM
Subject: [TCML] "Lifter" power supply questions


> Hello,
> 
> I am working on a high voltage "lifter," and I have some questions about 
> powering it. I checked the list archives and found some info, but nothing 
> that addresses my particular questions. Any clarification would be 
> appreciated.
> 
> Most of the how-to stuff I have read supposes you're building a power supply 
> from scratch, adapting a flyback, etc. I have a variety of HV sources:
> 
> --a 100 kV DC variable power supply, made by Hamilton Drills of Canada. 
> (These are commonly sold on eBay. They appear to be solid state induction 
> coils, rectified to give DC output? The maker insists they are DC, although 
> he does call them "Tesla" coils too . . . )
> 
> --various NSTs in voltages of 7.5kV, 12kV, and 15kV, at 30 and 60 mA
> 
> --an OBIT (10kV, 23 mA)
> 
> --auto ignition coils driven by household dimmer switches
> 
> --a Van der Graaff generator
> 
> --a hand cranked Wimshurst machine
> 
> My question is, nowhere have I found what would be needed to hook up an 
> existing power supply to the lifter. From what I read I assume the Hamilton 
> Drills unit is the most suitable, but simply connecting the lifter to the 
> output posts does not seem to work. An email to the Hamilton Drills maker 
> yielded a reply that I need to connect two 75kV, 5mA diodes (?) in series to 
> the unit's output--presumably the + terminal?
>>From what I read on the list archives, it is possible to use AC sources like 
> NSTs? My big question, having power supplies and having made a lifter, what 
> is the best way to hook them up?
> 
> PBT 
> 
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