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A Multipurpose power pulse generator capable of driving Tesla Coils and other high power coils. This device is based on the Homemade Tesla Coil project and uses an improved version of the ignition coil driver circuit to generate high voltages.

This unit quite simply can generate high current pulses of variable frequency and pulse width. This unit uses the Square wave frequency generator shown in the DIY Devices section for the main signal source but any other signal source can also be connected to it. The input signal is amplified using an array of nine 2N3055 power transistors (T2) which is capable of switching huge amounts of power.

A switch allows power to be sent to external coils for low voltage applications, or the internal ignition coils can be powered for charging a large HV pulse discharge capacitor.

The low voltage circuit in this device is similar to the driver for the Homemade Tesla Coil, but with some important differences. The high current pulses from the Lead Acid Batteries makes the signal generator unstable in the original design. The new version uses a completely independent signal source with its own battery to minimize the interference. There is also an extra buffer circuit to protect the 2N3055 Transistors from voltage spikes caused by the inductive kickback from the auto ignition coils.

All the power electronics are housed in an Aluminum case finished with panel meters, IO ports, and switches. The signal generator circuit is housed in an independent unit with its own 9V battery. This can be connected to the main unit via a shielded cable allowing it to be operated from a safe distance.

The high voltage output from the ignition coils is rectified using some large high voltage diodes (D2) designed for X-Ray machines. The rectified output is connected to a large capacitor (C1) for smoothing the DC output. From the smoothing capacitor an inductor (L1) and an additional 'de-Q-ing' diode (D3) have been added to the charging circuit to block the AC ringing from the TC primary coil from reaching the the smoothing capacitor. These also help to protect the the rectifier from short circuits, arcing currents and possible back EMF or transients.

The main high voltage front panel on the box has sockets for HV DC output, an internal HV pulse discharge capacitor, and an internal spark gap. This allows the high voltage circuits to be configured in a number of different ways without having to re-wire any internal components.

The image on the right shows how the panel is wired to drive a Tesla Coil. The spark gap can be adjusted using a handle on the side of the case. Depending upon the resonant frequency of the TC being driven, it may be necessary to adjust the capacitance. This can simply be done by adding more capacitors in parallel, or using a separate one.

This image shows the interconnected outputs of the ignition coils. The ignition coils are wired in parallel to give a higher output current.

All the high voltage cabling inside the box is placed inside flexible plastic tubing for added insulation. You can see here that the low voltage connections to the ignition coils are also covered with tubing for added protection.

The case is grounded by connecting a thick wire to a long metal spike driven into the ground. All of the ground connections for the internal circuits are also connected to the case.

Connecting the case to the earth spike is essential when using the device to drive tesla coils. This is because a Tesla Coil (TC) will generate radio frequency (RF) currents that would otherwise become present throughout the circuit. Without a good RF ground you would probably receive little shocks from the controls when operating a Tesla Coil.

Internal Variable Spark Gap

This new spark gap is made using three spherical electrodes in a high K dielectric casing. The double casing of the spark gap reduces the overall noise and allows the airflow to be doped with other gasses.The anode and cathode are spaced further than the voltage could jump and the third sphere can be moved in and out of the gap via a long glass fibre rod. This allows the spark gap to be adjusted smoothly anywhere between short and open circuit whilst it is active.

A pair of 12V DC brushless fans are installed to improve airflow through the spark gap. This is not to improve quenching, but it will reduce electrode corrosion from Ozone buildup in the spark gap casing. A further filtering capacitor has been added across the fans connectors as this type is sensitive to voltage spikes

Controls

The control circuit used for generating the driving signal is made using a 555 based circuit. This circuit can be found on the DIY Devices Page and is titled Signal Generator with Pulse Width Control. This circuit is housed inside a small hand held box with a 9V battery. It can be connected to the Power Pulse Generator by a jack plug on the end of the cable from the unit. You can buy an advanced version of this signal source here.

Different ignition coils or transformers will have deferent resonant frequencies. Using this circuit allows the Ignition coils to be tuned and driven at their resonant frequency.

External transformers, coils, or solenoids can also be driven at any desired frequency within the range of the 555 timer. The pulse width modulation capabilities of the control circuit are used for power level control for transformers and other coils. This feature also allows large or small DC motors to be powered with variable speed between 0% and 100%. These can also be tuned to their resonant frequency.

This device is capable of powering a multitude of experiments and is great for any researcher experimenting with pulsed power or resonant applications. You can see experiments we have done with Tesla Coils using this device on the Tesla Coil Experiments page.

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Questions and Comments on the DIY Power Pulse Generator

Chris	Thursday, 3rd August 2006 4:48am - No.143
L1 value isn't specified does it matter or will any inductance value work?
RMCybernetics	Thursday, 3rd August 2006 3:40pm - No.144
The value of L1 just needt to be enough to stop the very high frequency ringing from the prmary circuit in a TC setup. In this device it was a simple home made inductor simply wrapped around a plastic tube about the length of a pen. This should provide enough inductance to block most of the high freqency, but is still low enough to let through everyhing else.
Your name here Joe L OVELL	Thursday, 10th August 2006 9:47am - No.151
Type your message here : VERY INTERESTING PROJECT. I run my TC by using TWO ign.coils with their primaries in parallel (but the + on one is to the - on the other and vice versa). I am unable to make up how you can interconnect FOUR ignition coils (=four autotransformers). Pity that circuit diagram is missing. I would greatly appreciate it if you are able to take the time to explaim this interconnection in detail. Thank you. Joe Lovell, Sydney, Australia. jozefau@aol.com
RMCybernetics	Thursday, 10th August 2006 3:43pm - No.156
The ignition coils are wired so that all the same terminals are connected together as shown. This does not increase the output voltage like your 'anti-parralel' setup, but it will increase the current.
Jerry Volland	Saturday, 23rd September 2006 3:42pm - No.313
You can also use this circuit as an inductive ground. Connect the TC ground to the positive bus between the ignition coils. It's a single wire circuit which makes the spark a lot harder.
Jerry Volland	Saturday, 23rd September 2006 3:46pm - No.314
I like the internal spark gap. Is there any way to make an adjustable component like this for 12 Volts?
RMCybernetics	Saturday, 23rd September 2006 3:50pm - No.316
Do you mean to switch 12V pulses? I guess you would normally use a MOSFET or a TRIAC if ts AC.
Jerry Volland	Sunday, 24th September 2006 1:00pm - No.320
I like to use the inductive kick voltage from an arc's collapsing. As well as that from the coil. The overshoot pulses are unidirectional, since the arc always collapses on the same node. So I need to pulse the 12V supply with the SGsubPWM, then send the output current through an LV spark gap.
RMCybernetics	Sunday, 24th September 2006 8:39pm - No.323
You can buy tiny gas filled spark gaps that will trigger at around 90 Volts, but these are non adjustable. A similar device might be a varistor. These work in the same way as a spark gap but are made using diodle like materials. They are normally used for surge supression but you can get ones rated with low voltages. If the varistor can't tollerate enough current then you could just use it to trigger another transistor.
J. Morton	Thursday, 8th March 2007 8:23am - No.854
Hey, could you give me the specs (voltage resistance, capacitance and the like) necessary for ordering the needed products. thx
RMCybernetics	Thursday, 8th March 2007 2:39pm - No.857
Most components are the same as used in the DIY Tesla Coil. HV Diodes in this one were made larger (30kV 0.5A)
J. Morton	Saturday, 10th March 2007 6:32am - No.870
What About the capacitor and resistor in RC1 (I assume that is what is in it) and also R1 and C1 I assume C2 is the capacitor I built For the TC
J. Morton	Saturday, 10th March 2007 8:12am - No.872
Hey, I was looking at diodes and it seemd that thier ratings are "encoded". How do I tell what the voltage and amperage is?
RMCybernetics	Saturday, 10th March 2007 2:29pm - No.874
R1 is just a 100 ohm resistor to limit the current through the BFY51. C1 is a large capacitor used for smoothing the DC. The value is not critical, but larger is better. C2 is the MMC for the tesla coil. Type the part number for the diodes (or any component) into google and look for a link to a PDF datasheet. This will tell you everything about it.
Jeff	Friday, 16th March 2007 10:09am - No.899
I failed to find the specs on the spike filter.Could this be a snubber .. Thanks
RMCybernetics	Friday, 16th March 2007 10:27am - No.901
Yep, its a snubber. The exact values of your components may vary with your application and coil types.
Chris	Thursday, 22nd March 2007 1:38pm - No.947
I've been trying to track down some high voltage diodes like you've used in the rectifier D2. Other than trying our luck on ebay, where are we able to get them from? Thanks, Chris
RMCybernetics	Thursday, 22nd March 2007 2:35pm - No.951
The google ads aound this page (and the other pages about High Voltage) should have some links to suppliers of HV diodes. The ads are geotargeted so they should give you the most relevant ads mased on the county you are in. If there are not any relevant ones showing today then Ebay does seem to have plenty available in the US and UK.
Generator	Thursday, 29th March 2007 9:27am - No.1006
Can this curcit power the DIY supercooler
RMCybernetics	Thursday, 29th March 2007 12:09pm - No.1008
It could, but its not ideal. The Pulse Contoller would be best.
Pavalos	Thursday, 12th July 2007 7:17am - No.1430
Can we use this RF generator to produce a induction heating device? Is there any modifications to the circuit (component values, frequency?)
RMCybernetics	Thursday, 12th July 2007 9:12pm - No.1433
No. This would not be very efficient for induction heating.
Pavalos	Friday, 13th July 2007 6:26am - No.1437
Can you give me any tips how to build an induction heater from your experience? is there any circuits here to help me? Thanks for replying
RMCybernetics	Friday, 13th July 2007 10:01pm - No.1442
You need a high power, high frequency pulse circuit similar to this Power Pulse Controller. You would use it to switch a higher voltage source (200V for example) through the induction coil with a parallel tank capacitor and probably an impedance matching transformer. The frequency would need to be in the RF (Radio Frequency) range.
Aditya	Thursday, 19th July 2007 4:42pm - No.1472
hello can u provide a fully step step guide to that
RMCybernetics	Thursday, 19th July 2007 4:56pm - No.1475
Not at this time.
Jack Pendergast	Thursday, 26th July 2007 6:31am - No.1509
You will be very satisfyed with the number of visitors that will come to your site if you give any plans how to build the induction heater so please hurry and you wont be dissapointed
Crawler	Saturday, 18th August 2007 6:08am - No.1615
How high is the value of D2 in your schematic? Would a 40vK .1A Bridge work alright? Thanks.
RMCybernetics	Saturday, 18th August 2007 6:52pm - No.1621
D2 is made from four 30kV 1A diodes. If you meant you have a 40kV 1A bridge, then yes, this would be fine.
jim	Sunday, 16th September 2007 4:11pm - No.1719
is the m10 nut acting as a secondary and inducing high current whilst the work coil is like the primary? if so then all you need is a high current and high frequency power source like your ignition coil driver or a mot with a lot of turns for the work coil. if im wrong please tell me as any advice will help my project.
RMCybernetics	Sunday, 16th September 2007 7:15pm - No.1722
Yes, the metal object placed inside the work coil of an induction heater acts like the short circuited secondary coil of a transformer.
Matt	Saturday, 22nd September 2007 2:43am - No.1744
What were your snubber values? I know they're different depending on the coils, but I don't know the output of mine, so I want to get a general idea as to what they would be.
Matt	Tuesday, 25th September 2007 6:38am - No.1749
Nvm, I'm gonna use a .1uF Cap and a 10K Resistor. One more question though. Would it be alright to use a computer PSU as the power source as long as I plug it into a EMI filter. Thanks
RMCybernetics	Tuesday, 25th September 2007 10:29am - No.1750
RC1 used was also 10k resistor and 0.1uF capacitor in series. The computer PSU would need to be able to deliver at least 5A for each ignition coil.
Matt again	Friday, 28th September 2007 8:16pm - No.1775
Just one final question: How many amps should D1 be rated for? Thanks in advance.
RMCybernetics	Saturday, 29th September 2007 12:54pm - No.1779
About 1A per transistor/coil is usually sufficient.
Ralph Saliba	Sunday, 20th January 2008 4:47pm - No.2478
Type your message here What is the Voltage rating of D3 Is this a special diode? Thanks for bearing with my query Regards Ralph
RMCybernetics	Sunday, 20th January 2008 11:48pm - No.2483
D3 is another HV diode. There is nothing particularly special about it. It just needs to be rated for the expected voltage and current.
John Bradfield	Monday, 14th April 2008 12:06pm - No.2719
I am looking for a diy high voltage generator (based on capacitors) circuit design -- to be used as an insect killer?
RMCybernetics	Monday, 14th April 2008 12:33pm - No.2721
here
edwinlipton@gmail.com	Sunday, 10th August 2008 6:39am - No.2982
Hello out there! I feel like I have been living in another world somewhere else for the last 53 years. GREAT stuff here! Can you or anyone else break down a schematic I found on another site that shows how to build a wide band fuel injector monitor? Or does some one out there have one to place on this site? With fuel prices where they are it would be a BIG help to many and would be nice to have a bit more control of what we as CONSUMERS paid for when we bought our vehicals in the first place. THANKS and Keep um-coming, YOU GUY'S ARRRRRE GEEEREAT!
mat	Tuesday, 2nd September 2008 5:59pm - No.3059
Can you give some more details about the smoothing capacitor - would a 30kV 1nF cap be enough? Thanks.
RMCybernetics	Wednesday, 3rd September 2008 11:36pm - No.3065
It would help, but bigger is better for a smoothing cap.
Your name here jango	Saturday, 1st November 2008 4:47pm - No.3261
Type your message here what is the difference betwen PWMOC10A et PWMOC10A-kit thanks
RMCybernetics	Saturday, 1st November 2008 8:21pm - No.3264
The kit is not available anymore

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