In article <54oqcf$ltr@ns1-1.CC.Lehigh.EDU>, <c002@Lehigh.EDU> writes:
> I need to drive a powerfull flashtube. I have neither a tube or driver btw
> (ie: if you have, i'll buy! )
> This will be exciting a Ruby rod, so its not a little camera flash i need!
We excited a Neodymium rod using two linear flash tubes and a HV power supply.
The supply was a 2000 volt transformer with an array of high-voltage
capacitors and high-voltage diodes.
We stacked up five 450 volt capacitors on either leg of the supply, with 10Meg
resistors across each capacitor to even out the voltage loading. We also put
10Meg resistors across each 1KV diode to protect it.
<bad ASCII art attempt:>
115V 2000V
----3 || E--->|-->|-->|-->|------\ [trigger circuit]
3 || E \ /
3 || E ||--||--||--||--||-------O O---------------\
3 || E---< |
3 || E ||--||--||--||--||------------[==========]--/
3 || E / Flash Tube
----3 || E---|<--|<--|<--|<------/
MAKE SURE THE CAPACITOR POLARITY IS CORRECT, or you will get big explosions of
toxic oil.
We fired this sucker by an air-gap switch. Basically you set the tube up with
two metal spheres in the circuit, seperated by about 1/4 inch. Then you use a
photo-flash trigger coil connected to a wire probe between the spheres to
ionize the air. BAM!
Warning: we blew chunks of metal out of a lead block with this device. Be
VERY careful when you set it up!
1. Capacitors can maintain a fatal charge for a long time after the power is
removed. We shorted 'em out with a copper rod on the end of a Lucite handle
before touching anything.
2. Air-gap switches can fire spontaneously. Never energize the device until
everything else is ready to go! We eventually went to an oil-quenched knife
switch for more control.
Date: Sun, 27 Oct 96 21:09:26 PDT
Original Subject: Re: flashtube driver needed!!!!