Capacitor Electrons Captor from Don Smith / Tesla

[Vortex 22]

OK, I did few more tests just to see if there is any difference. I repeated the tests several times to exclude human error.

Hi

What is the purpose of spark gap before the diodes?

[madddann]

To not let the magic smoke out of the HV module. 

[Vortex 22]

Spark gap needed to discharge the Capacitor... This will kill the process! Good luck

[forest]

4


measure input power, replace capacitor into 1nf 20kv, spark gap then Don Smith tabletop device. you are in bussiness

[madddann]

Hi forest.
Well, that's easier said than done. That chinese taser HV module is my only source of HV at the moment and if I spread the sparkgap  contacts further than 10mm apart I'm sure it will die.  There is no need to measure the input at this stage, I'm sure it is many times the output power.
I was thinking about buying some neon sign transformers up to 5kV from aliexpress.
When dealing with HV 20kV there are certain hurdles to overcome like finding the right diodes, making a DIY capacitor (maybe I can deal with that) and so on. Can you imagine the noise of that sparkgap firing at 20kv? 
I agree that Don's tabletop device is an essential part when taking this route, but I was hoping to avoid voltages above 5Kv, unless all the hard to obtain components can be avoided.