Gray's Tube Build - Progressive -

[MrMag]

- 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.

IST was talking about Microwave Oven Transformer (MOT). Don't mind him. He doesn't know what he's talking about most of the time.
The older type TV's had nice flyback transformers in them. Some of the newer ones do also but they also have a high voltage diode built into them. Not sure if that will be a problem for you. I never tried, so I'm not sure if they can be removed.

[geotron]

The diode for the HV supply was one of the things I've been
in search of for a while now, so no problem if its already
built in.

Below is a winding I grabbed from a 15w fluorescent ballast,
and the other components - I'm guessing one of them is likely
a diode of some sort - the one with shiny wrapping?

I've got a CFL bulb somewhere around here that I could salvage
for its inner goodness and hook onto it... although what the
resulting volts would be has me guessing -

[pese]

IST was talking about Microwave Oven Transformer (MOT). Don't mind him. He doesn't know what he's talking about most of the time.
The older type TV's had nice flyback transformers in them. Some of the newer ones do also but they also have a high voltage diode built into them. Not sure if that will be a problem for you. I never tried, so I'm not sure if they can be removed.

Take care
this glass tube. is not a diode.
this is a starter.
an automatic switch.

A small neon lamp with bi-metal contacts, the contact after a few seconds and then an induced current and GegenEMK to produce in the choke.
The CFL will light up then.
The starter will not fire more when the lamp is litening
Pese

[geotron]

This is a microwave oven transformer I salvaged today, along
with the matching 2100V capacitor and diode.

I'm thinking of using the ballast from a low-wattage compact
fluorescent bulb as the input, which would likely create a
spectacular amount of voltage at a lethal current.

Most importantly what I'll have to figure out, is the model
of diode that I'll need for the 12V positive supply on the
short copper rod with such a large voltage.

In the diagram it is matched with the voltage being fed into
the other rod - 5KV... so if I end up producing 20,000V, I'm
guessing that I'll need at least a 20KV diode.

This of course would far exceed the amount of voltage as
shown in the drawing, so I've got no idea what the result
would be.

My alternative to the CFL Ballast - Transformer idea is to use
a Cockroft-Walton Voltage Multiplier, and while I can easily
see how they are built, the underlying method - matching
the capacitors, diodes, and input source has me confused.

What I would ideally like to accomplish is to use a 9-12V
lead acid battery hooked to a CW-Multiplier - preferrably the
same one used to charge the low-voltage rod.

Any ideas on what parts I would need?

[geotron]

Calculated Results with using a blue capacitor, found at
a local store. Next I'll be sourcing the diodes... I've got
a few that were left over from something else that are rated
at 1000V, so unless its possible to connect them together in
some way to get a higher collective value I'll be looking
to get different ones.