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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!lanl!jp
From: jp@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: Jacob's Ladder
Message-ID: <26607@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 31-May-85 10:35:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: lanl.26607
Posted: Fri May 31 10:35:46 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Jun-85 13:52:43 EDT
References: <73@biomed.UUCP>
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lines: 24



I think that the flyback transformer is too low in power and does not heat the
air sufficiently.  I built a Jacob's ladder many years ago with an old neon
sign transformer (15Kv @ 1KVA!!).  Nearly scared my mother to death whenever
I turned it on.  For good reason too.  Such a system is very lethal.  Proceed
with extreme caution.

For an interesting effect I added, part way up the electrodes, miniature
electrodes made of solder.  The spark would reach this area and proceed up
the solder electrodes to their end.  The resulting heat from the stationary
spark would then begin to melt the solder and the spark would climb back down
to the regular electrodes and continue on its way.

Neon sign transformers should be readily obtainable from old signs.  Big signs
tend to have big transformers, but the 15KV, 1 KVA was the biggest I could find
in 1958.  All of the transformers I found were made with a grounded center tap
to limit the maximum potential to ground.  It is not possible to connect two
in series.  Even if you insulated the cases the insulation from primary to 
secondary will not handle the voltage.

Good luck, be safe, and don't scare your mother.

Jim Potter  jp@lanl.arpa