Method for converting HV (static) into usable low-voltage power.

[Groundloop]

@sm0ky2,

Yes, Leyden jars will do fine for the C1 capacitor. It is also possible to make your own
high voltage capacitor. One layer of kitchen plastic foil can take approx. 5000 volt.
So 10 layers is close to 50.000 volt. Then use aluminum foil and and plastic foil alternating.
(It is a some work to make one, though.)

The losses in a car coil is approx. the same as in every other transformer. The resistance
in the copper wires will convert some of the energy to heat. It is still doable, I think.

Oh, one other thing, be very careful when working with high voltage capacitors.
Even Leyden jars can hold a huge amount of charge for a long time. Always discharge
the capacitors before working on the circuit.

Regards,
Groundloop.

[sm0ky2]

after everything ive tried, the best power output ive been able to come up with is through a solar-array, collecting the photoluminescence of the sparks at high frequency.

still in the mW range.  nothing very usefull as of yet. certainly not enough to cover the draw of a motor spinning the disks..

[onthecuttingedge2005]

You can also take off the glass ball of a Plasma Ball device and then turn it on in the vicinity of the Wimhurst disk and it will help spray extra charge onto the disk, inside the plasma ball is an antenna that radiates some good charge to play with, you can also charge caps as well with the antenna.

Just giving out some spare change.

Jerry

[AbbaRue]

The best way I know of to convert HV to lower voltage is to use a Tesla Coil in reverse.
Wind a large number of turns of wire around a plastic pipe for the HV end and then
wind thick wire around the outside for the LV end.
Adjust the number of turns until you get the LV output you want.

[wings]

tested:

http://www.hcrs.at/KAPTRAFO.HTM