Building DS Plasma Globe

[h2ocommuter]

@BW,
I am glad you found that interesting, I have other observations about the caps that you may find curious too.
I figured I would measure the charging and discharging values inside the caps directly before and after discharge.
This is how it looked.The first cap closest to the spark gap; I have discussed before say 5 to 600V, the next cap, would be considerably less in charge say 200V the third would be 25V or so and the last cap closest to the ammeter through the IT and them to ground would have just mv. Upon discharge the bank, first cap as discussed would virtually fully discharge; the next cap would reverse the voltage and start counting backwords until zero and then recharge in a positive manner, the third cap acted similar with less value and the fourth cap would measure indifferent, not necessarily static but near .01 mv stable.

@FatBird,
I will certainly get a shunt for that type of operation if I am able to get this ammeter fixed or find another. What I find on the back of the meter are two big 5/16 fine thread wire adapter studs. They are so massive I never thought of using a tiny wire to feed them.

Is a shunt like, or actually a resistor?

Thanks
h2ocommuter

[bw]

thank you for sharing all your findings, caps are cool and bad to the bone at the same time. 
I was surprised to see the 400+ amps reading on the youtube thing.  Sorry about burnout.
go Saints       who dat

[h2ocommuter]

I have been going through the details and considerations about rectifying the circuit. I posted a video that defines my findings roughly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BorxRV0Nk4&feature=email

What I have said is not absolutely correct but as I refine my understanding I will generally change how I describe the operation.

h2ocommuter

[sparks]

  Another way to measure lots of current does not use the voltage dropped across the resistor sometimes called a shunt.  It measures the field distortion around the conductor.  Basically a permanent magnet pulling against a spring.  The permanent magnet attempts to align with the magnetic field  disruption around a current carrying conductor.  This is a very non intrusive way to experience current flows.  The magnetic field is going to be warped no matter if the pm is there or not so why not move the magnet while you are at it.  The primary winding is doing work of some sort like lighting a bulb or some other resistance phenomenon or spinning a huge dc electric motor.  The magnetic field disruption is creating a second field from which energy can be drawn.  Just start cycling the primary current flow and the permanent magnets start dancing.  Good way to cycle the flow is have it stop entirely after charging a capacitor.  Then reverse flow as the capacitor is discharged into an inductive load.  Meanwhile the magnets are having a hell of a ride observing all this action. 

[h2ocommuter]

Sparks, I am laughing at myself uncontrollably,
I see the words but I am blind as in pitch black.  I like the presentation it congers up all kinds of pictures but I cannot see it.
Could you make a picture of it, or a video.?
I have a 400A clamp but I cannot get it to take a reliable reading for the life of me.

I tried loading a 12 V squirle cage motor and all it did was blow my LED's in my circuit. if I insert a diode there; I may be able to use it, "the cap charge" the way you are saying.

I am going to do another video showing an 800+ v charge in a 370 v cap as I discharge this you may be able to direct my thinking the correct way to utilize this power..