Make an Ultra Simple High Voltage Generator

Make an Ultra Simple High Voltage Generator

Have you ever wanted to build a high voltage devices to make sparks like Tesla Coils, Marx Generator, and so on.. But find it too compacted or difficult to build?

Well, this instructable is for you! It can make create a few kilovolts of static-like sparks, and best of all... You can make it with only two things to make it, a battery and a simple mains transformer!

Before you continue, you should know a little bit of information about transformers, click here to find out.

Step 1Get the things!!

Get the things!!

Like I said, you need only two things to make it, well, actually, three things - some wires.

9 volt battery.
Mains transformer
Wires

The mains transformer, you can find those in just about any mains powered electronic devices, like VCR's, stereos, and stuff like that, you can also use a wall wart if you want. The best mains transformers you could ever use is found in digital alarm clocks.

Unfortunately, I burnt up all of my alarm clock transformers while ago... :( So I will have use a transformer from a VCR.

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Nov 23, 2011. 5:10 AMsolution1993 says:

how can i generate 12volts and above from this fantastic experiment. pls i need an urgent reply brethren.

Oct 22, 2011. 9:45 PMrliu5 says:

Would this create a higher voltage if I wired 2 transformers in series together and did this ?

Oct 21, 2011. 7:39 AMrliu5 says:

how does this work ? if the transformer is 120 volts to 9 volts, then if you reverse it wouldn't it be only 120 volts that comes out ?
I don't think 120 volts can jump that far

Oct 10, 2011. 12:26 AMagent harmsy says:

Couldn't you just pull one of these out of a phone charger and run the marx generator on it for a handheld supply? :D

Jul 11, 2010. 11:04 PMPilgrimm says:

Hi guys. Don't know a thing about all this electricity stuff, except that your 'ibles are fascinating, and that stuff is in the wall somewhere. My question, really, is, "Can't you guys get together and come up with some surprises for those Al Qaeda jerks?" Fascinating stuff. Thanks and be safe.

Sep 14, 2011. 6:37 PMbudhaztm says:

I know this is a late reply, but you have a good idea, pooling together the resources of this amazing site to create defenses or offenses against terrorists. Good idea

Sep 13, 2011. 9:06 PMpalvi rana says:

Do not put this in a circuit.

Tronsformer 24 volt step down this can be put in.

Sep 9, 2011. 12:13 AMmarkee2 says:

I made similar project long time ago and its working but the operation is too manual where you need to push the button ON and OFF always to generate voltage pulses.
Using the same idea of your project, i got it working well using some transistor. You can check it ..the circuit is copied from:

http://www.simple-electronics.com/2011/09/high-voltage-generator-using-9v.html

high voltage generator ciruit.jpg

Jun 23, 2011. 11:55 AMUmniscient says:

At first, this guide confused me.

Mains transformers take 110 or 220 volts (depending on where you live) and convert it to around 10 volts. If you reverse the transformer, inputting 9 volts, you should get the same amount as your mains supply. This would mean that the output is not in the several kilovolts range, but actually much lower. But then how would the relatively long sparks be generated?

I think, now, that this works through inductive kickback. When the 9V supply to an inductor (the transformer's primary) is interrupted, a much higher voltage is generated. This would then be induced in the secondary, producing the static-like spark. I don't think this works with a perfect sine wave, only a square or sawtooth wave.

Jun 12, 2009. 11:07 AMJaguar93 says:

(removed by author or community request)

Jun 22, 2009. 11:31 AMjohn12692 says:

transformers work with any type of electricity AC or DC its the flow of electricity that makes them work not the alternating current of AC though they work better with AC try it if you are any kind of tinker (which is what this website is for) you'll have a transformer lying around and can hook one up like this in 5 minutes plus if you are only momentarily connecting the battery to the the transformer it IS in actually AC if only momentarily

Jul 31, 2009. 12:56 PMmikemmcmeans says:

are you completely sure about the DC part. when you seee transformers in DC circuitry it's usually used along with transistors that turn the DC power on and off, simulating an AC wave pulsing the primary coil, magnetizing the metal core, then a pulse exits the trans on the secondary (or back out the primary (DCtoDC boost)) from my experimentation, if you connect DC voltage to a transformer it wont do anything at all, except blow some fuses/breakers. all that with no output at all on the other side, till you turn the DC input off. but if you're turning DC voltage on and off its not DC anymore.

Jun 15, 2011. 1:04 PMPINKmonster325 says:

Well, yes, but it will still work if you make the voltage go on and off. (I don't know why, but it does in fact work)

Aug 6, 2009. 7:23 PMjohn12692 says:

ever hear of a joule theif? that uses a dc transformer

Aug 7, 2009. 3:50 PMmikemmcmeans says:

true, but the transistor pulses the voltage up and down, simulating an artificial AC wave, referencing 0V the ground of the system. sorry still AC power.

Dec 14, 2009. 8:04 AMjohn12692 says:

your right sorry i forgot about the transistor

Dec 2, 2009. 5:17 PM

Magnelectrostatic says:

AC = Alternating Current, it alternates between positive and "negative" current, your thinking of switched DC which is either on or off.

Jun 12, 2009. 11:17 AM

Plasmana (author) says:

Please be more specific what you are trying to say, you are speaking rubbish.

Jun 17, 2009. 12:32 PMredcars101 says:

I found a transformer in one of my computer speakers, so am I suposed to connect the 9v battery to the output side and on the input side well be the high voltage?

Jun 21, 2009. 12:43 PM

egbertfitzwilly says:

Yup, works like a charm.

Jun 28, 2009. 2:16 PMredcars101 says:

did you respond to me?

Jun 29, 2009. 8:28 AM

egbertfitzwilly says:

Yes, I was confirming that if you connect a low voltage on the output side you will get a high voltage on the input side. Since nothing is free there is a corresponding loss of current. There is also loss in the device. Both of these will vary signficantly depending on what the original intended use is. Your speaker transformer is probably an audio transformer. You might get better performance if you break open one of those cheap plug in power supplies.

Jun 29, 2009. 9:13 AMredcars101 says:

I now have a digital alarm clock transformer. Is it good?

Jun 29, 2009. 9:31 PM

egbertfitzwilly says:

Yeah that should work. What you really want to do is experiment. In this case your local library will be an invaluable resource. While they won't have much on digital all that old analog stuff is still valid. By going back and looking at the old AARL handbook and various electronics books you can find a whole host of useful circuits and technologies.

May 19, 2011. 2:55 PMbsos says:

thank you !

Jun 27, 2009. 4:15 AMPyro Fiend says:

do i keep the circuitry with the diodes and capacitor. probably not. also, the side that was attached to the prongs that go in the wall, do i attatch that to the battery??????????????????

Mar 13, 2011. 2:14 PM

squiggy2 says:

Ok so this is a very late reply, but for other people who will ask the same question...
no, the side which attached to the prongs which go into to wall is the side where the sparks will be generated. attach the battery to the other side.

Jul 4, 2009. 6:44 AMcodex653 says:

but don't go throwing away the circuitry also, there are parts you can get from them.

Jul 4, 2009. 6:44 AMcodex653 says:

no you don't. all's you need is the transformer....in my experience, those diodes and caps make for a slow slow discharge of energy through the transformer....if it 's 16 volts like mine was it took like 5 minutes to lose the charge...i found that out the hard way! :)

Feb 24, 2011. 4:18 PMMudbud says:

Dang, I tried this twice, i even got the transformer out of a VCR too. But nothing is happening.... Do I have to tap it like a million times a second?

Jul 21, 2010. 4:43 PMUmniscient says:

Wait, I don't understand. The mains transformer takes around 120 Volts and converts it to the 5-12 Volt range. Even if the transformer is used in reverse, how will it generate a few kilovolts?

Feb 5, 2011. 11:03 AMche567 says:

its the ratio of turns that alters how the voltage will be changed, double the turns on the secondary coild and the voltage doubles on the secondary coil, this can work in reverse

Nov 3, 2009. 2:40 PMsheepborg says:

uh i found this huge transformer thing while working at a camp that little kids take apart electronics. is there any way i can use this and if so how do i hook it up

Jan 11, 2011. 12:58 PMbcantley2010 says:

what is on that blue sticker?
what did the x-former come out of?

If i had to make a guess from your pictures...
I would partially feel safe amusing that where your thumb is placed would be the primary windings and the secondary windings are on the right. Yes there are more than 4 connection points but try to use the pins that are farthest apart and ignore the pins in the middle on the secondary. I would assume the same for the primary side but it looks like i see the 2 closest pins by your thumb could be the connection points for the primary.

there is no harm in trying.

with more information I could make a better judgment!

Jan 11, 2011. 5:08 PMsheepborg says:

The blue sticker is actual just masking tape that one of the kids stuck on it
i beleive that it came out of the main box of a surround sound system, or something similar

granted this is from over a year ago, but i do still have that and it is still the best doorstop ever.

ill see about digging up parts and hopefully i will get something to happen.

thanks for the reply

Jan 11, 2011. 6:14 PMbcantley2010 says:

If it is for kids maybe you can rip it apart and save all the coil wire. The kids could make project motors.

Jan 11, 2011. 8:25 PMsheepborg says:

sadly the structure of that camp is rather.. lacking. they focus less on what can be acheived with parts and more on how you can put them together for simple machines or lookalikes.

so thats how i ended out digging the part out at the end of the camp from the though-out pile... along with a bunch of other fun stuff they either didnt take apart of just tossed

Sep 12, 2010. 6:27 PM

Jimmy Proton says:

i dont think you could use it, it probably can only run on mains but thats a cool transformer, what is the camp called?

Dec 26, 2010. 7:59 PMwrdplay says:

Camp Sweatshop?

Dec 27, 2010. 7:36 PMsheepborg says:

camp invention actually
and yeah, i did figure it wasnt useful
oh well, it weighs a ton and looks good on a part shelf

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