Gray's Tube Build - Progressive -

[geotron]

List of Parts
(x) = have

12V Lead-Acid Battery
12V Mechanical Commutator (x)
5000V Power Supply

Plexi Case
2 Copper Rods (x)
2 Copper Mesh Tubes
Carbon Resistor
Silver Tips

5KV 12uF Capacitor
5KV Diode

--------------------------------

This is going to be my first big build. The largest challenge
I'm facing with this so far is finding a 5000V supply. There
are plans for a variable-output high voltage supply at Instructables,
but I am uncertain whether it would work for this purpose.

Some of the parts listed above I may forgo obtaining until later,
such as the silver tips and a carbon resistor, the latter of which
I would be unsure of where to find or what the specifications ought
to be.

I'll be spending my time on this, and wish to end up with a display
quality unit - an operational demonstration model that will be kept
running. Once I have it working, my attention will likely drift
onwards to using it for production of HHO.

I've begun a couple of other discussion threads entitled
'DIY Tesla Switch Guide' and 'PC Fan Generator' for those interested.

The PC Fan Generator has evolved into something a little less Half
Baked than it started out as - I am now using it as a driver for a
commutator switch, one that I will implement using in this Gray's
Tube project in place of the 'Rotor' as shown below.

As of yet I haven't obtained even half of the parts on my list,
but as I do so and continue to progress its construction, all will
be documented and shared.

Items I Need Help With so Far
5000V Power Supply
Shielding to Prevent Damage to Sensitive Electronics

---

[innovation_station]

please be carefull this sounds dangerous .... 

i have some silver things i got from rf amps ...  high grade ... 

3 mots should get you close to 5kv

try a plasma transformer from a plasma tv ..  there small compact and smack a punch ..

aswell 

try lead  for sheilding .. im going to be useing it to block some gamma rays produced from 1 of my reactors ...

ist

[MrMag]

Do you know what kind of current you need at 5Kv? If you don't require much current you could possibly use a flyback transformer. There are some very simple circuits out there for them.

Good luck. I will definitely be watching this. I've always been interested in Gray's tube.

[geotron]

In my search for a suitable way to increase the voltage
of the 12V enough to get 5000V, here is what I've come
up with -

~ The use of diodes & capacitors as shown below

~ Transformers wired in series, perhaps borrowed from unused
or non-functioning electronic devices. This method presents
me with the difficulty of figuring out just how much the
voltage is being amplified.

~ Similar in theory to the previous idea, only with the use
of brand new ones all rated the same.

Of these three possible choices, the 1st and 3rd are most
appealing to me, and of those two I'm not too certain which
would be the best. I may try both, starting with the former.

[geotron]

- Quick Update -
I have now found a source for 5kv diodes, and the copper mesh as
well...

innovation_station,
You state that 3 'mots' will provide close to 5kv, but unfortunately
I'm not familiar with that term.

I've got access to an old microwave, as well as a small television
that would likely not be missed... so I'm thinking there ought to
be some nice high voltage items rattling around in them like flyback
transformers that I can put to practical use.

Still, I'm uncertain whether going over the 5kv mark would make
much difference - like if I've got to be right on the dot with it
or die from exposure to EMF or something.