Static electricity/Creating high voltages

Problem

A static lifter can not be built without a 30,000 volt power supply. In addition, existing high voltage creation devices need to be maintained and certifications (online tests) built in order to use them.

There are some of the mechanisms for generating high voltages:

Rubbing things together
lots of 9v batteries video
TV flyback transformer
Van de graaff
Wimshurst machine
Cockcroft-Walton generators
Tesla Coil (AC like a power line .. not static)

Van de Graaff
Wimshurst
TV/Monitor flyback transformer
Tesla Coil

Conceive

The static lifter demo requires the highest voltage. The goal is to generate 30KV to do a static lifter demo. All methods for generating the high voltage should be attempted.

Design

Implement

Operate

Have an old high voltage probe that needs to be fixed and it's operation documented. Video of violet ray machine.

Looks similar to the Violet Ray Machine from the 1920's. Need to visit the Montgomery County Historical Society to see if they know anything about it. Versions of it have shown up at some new age healing expositions or fairs.

Attempt to fix old high voltage probe

It is called a "Tesla Coil", but not sure that is what this is. For now call it an "old high voltage probe."

The Casing removed from the coil, ready to be observed and further taken apart for diagnosis of parts and finding the cause for inconsistent operation.
A picture of the coil in operation, specifically the area inside where a small spark (arching) takes place, to generate the larger sparks at the tip.
The spark gap assembly taken apart to clean contacts. The file used can be seen in the photo.

The tip is held in by a metal pin-holder which is secured to the threaded electrode inside the plastic housing with a 10-32 nut.

The Wax is old and may require replacement

Operation of old high voltage probe

It is not recommended to touch the tip of the device while it is active.

Be sure to always be aware of the tip of the coil.

Plug the coil into house ac 115-120 voltage for operation.

Note the knob on the back of the coil near the power cord

If the knob on the rear is extended, (meaning the the most threads are visable) the coil is off.

Twist the knob clockwise to increase the output of the tip, the know will recess into the coil.

The coil will emit a buzzing noise when a charge is being built up.

twist the knob counter-clockwise to decrease charge/reduce sparks, the knob should extened out of the coil.

In/clockwise is "on" and Out/counter-clockwise is "off"

Demo

presentation

Next Steps

Develop and reference safety precautions
Make Van De Graph generator
Get Wimhurst machines working
Fix high voltage probe
Build 30KV supply