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 1: 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.

Step 2: Wire up the transformer

Okay, before we attach the wires to the transformer, you need to take a look at it first...

The two leads of the transformer that are connected to the mains power source, is the primary (the high voltage side), and the other two leads are the secondary (the low voltage side).
We are going to connect the transformer in reversed, I mean the primary (the high voltage side) of the transformer becomes "secondary" and the secondary (the low voltage side) becomes "primary".

So we are going to connect the battery on the primary (the low voltage side) of the transformer and we will get some sparks from the secondary (the high voltage side)!

Right, attach the wires to the transformer!

Step 3: Connect to battery and have fun!

Connect either one wire from the primary (the low voltage side) to one terminal of the battery (don't worry, you can connect it any way round). Then bring two secondary wires (the high voltage side) very close to each other (about 2 mm) and then tap the other primary wire to the other terminal of the battery.

And then, you should see sparks on the ends of the secondary wires, and you may hear a little "snap" too!

Step 4: Add a switch

Instead of tapping the wire to the battery which can be a bit difficult, you can add a push-button (don't use the push-lock switch) switch into the circuit if you like...

Step 5: Enjoy!

Well, I hope you find this instructable useful to you.