I use a 15Kv 60ma NST with 30 diodes in series on each output hot
terminal. One string with a negative output and the other with a
positive. I get over 22KV DC output that I use to drive my dual 15 stage
Marx generator and get about 36-inches spark between the two towers. The
NST's primary is controlled by a variac.
On Fri, Jun 22, 2018 at 2:14 PM, Matthew Sweeney <msweeney23@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
> Hi Raymond, I did this using strings of cheap Microwave oven diodes potted
> in short PVC tubs with paraffin wax. I also added some high wattage 1M
> resistors for my own safety.
>
> Basically I created large, clunky, cheap 30KV-50KV diodes :)
>
> It worked well, but I think the diodes would be better off in epoxy
> specific for the context. Rectified DC off an NST is a different beast and
> kinda scary for me :)
>
> I was using this to drive a VDG, but the voltage was too high and it's very
> much overkill!
>
> Good luck!
>
> On Fri, Jun 22, 2018, 5:35 AM Raymond Spigot <raymond.j.spigot@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi, thanks for all the interesting discussion about NST testing and safe
> > grounding, it's all been instructive for a noob
> >
> > I have this grey resin block neon transformer in the shed I was thinking
> of
> > experimenting with. It's a 15kv/30mA one with a midpoint ground
> > connection. Is there a way to rectify the output so I can use it for
> > trying out powering a dc tesla?
> >
> > I have a big bag of diodes (1N5408 I think) that were pretty cheap. If
> > they'll handle 1000v each I could solder them up into long strings and
> use
> > 4 strings of diodes to make a bridge rectifier? I guess I'd need a
> > capacitor on the other side of the bridge as well though to smooth it
> out a
> > bit.
> >
> > Then I was wondering if there was another way to do it with a midpoint
> > grounded transformer like mine. I'm thinking the 2 secondary windings on
> > the transformer must be out-of-phase, but could I rectify them
> > individually? Between each HV output and the midpoint ground I mean.
> Then
> > I'm thinking I'd need 2 bridges but they're only trying to rectify half
> the
> > voltage each and it would be easier to cope with.
> >
> > Basically I'm hoping there's a way to get like 10kv dc out instead of
> > closer to (I think) 20kv Because then I can buy a main MMC capacitor
> that
> > doesn't have to be rated for the highest voltage (so I can put less caps
> in
> > series)
> >
> > hope this makes some sense to someone! thanx for advice anyway
> >
> > Ray
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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