Build A Simple Marx Generator
Build A Simple Marx Generator
Table of Contents
SNAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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SNAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SNAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
step 9: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
intro: Build a simple Marx Generator
Do you like the idea of tesla coils and other high voltage sparking stuff, but don't have the time, money or patience to build something that is elaborate?
Well, here's a fun 'n' simple project that can make big, fat, noisy sparks at least 2 inches long, and can be built very quickly and cheaply. It might be even more fun to use
a marx generator than using a 'very complicated to build' tesla coil!
And to let you know, this "Quick & Dirty" Marx generator website helped me a lot to build this marx generator.
If you have no idea what is a marx generator, you might be saying this in your mind "What the hell is a marx generator!", read about it here on Wikipedia.
WARNING! This project generates very high pulse discharge voltages, which can seriously harm and could be potentially lethal to you and others that are careless to
touch the output of the marx generator.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
step 1: So, how does it work?
The Marx generator consists of an array of resistors, capacitors and spark gaps arranged as follows in the schematic...
The capacitors are charged up in parallel through the resistors, so they each become charged to the input voltage. When all of the spark gaps fires (sparks), the
capacitors get effectively connected in series, therefor multiplying the input voltage by the number of capacitors and causing a long spark at the end of the marx
generator.
Rb has a ballasting effect, it is used to prevent a continuous arc forming across the first gap - this prevents further firing of the marx generator. The value of the resistor
will mainly depend on the type of power supply is used, in this case, we are going to use an 10M resistor for this marx generator on this instructable. However, you can
reduce the Bb's value to try get more 'bangs per second' without causing an arc forming on the spark gap...
Image Notes
1. This is where you get a big spark.
2. Spark gap.
3. All the resistors are 1M 1 watt.
4. Any value ceramic capacitor with voltage ratings of 4 - 8Kv.
5. 10M 1 watt resistor.
There is one thing you must know, a healthy human heart can only withstand electric currents maximum 10mA. Currents over 10mA can results death, I am NOT joking
here, this is serous stuff, a lot of people thinks your heart can handle currents up to 500mA, THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! THEY ARE WRONG!!! If you don't believe me, then
test your self against a high voltage 500mA power supply, a small microwave transformer would do, put your hand on one lead, put your other hand on the other lead,
turn on the power supply and you will be sorry...
The marx generator will also be dangerous after the power is turned off, because the capacitors will hold a lethal charge in them, so, MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE YOU
DRAIN ALL THE CAPACITORS BEFORE YOU TOUCH THE DEVICE!!! Otherwise you will get a 'surprise shock' form the capacitors which can seriously harm you or
even death...
Also, every time a marx generator fires (make a spark), it kicks out a lot of UV radiation, and sometimes X-rays! Staring at the sparks form the marx generator can cause
problems with your eyes, so wear UV sunglasses or briefly watch it every ones a while.
Okay, you might be a bit scared after reading this horrible step, so do you think you can build a marx generator? Or find it too dangerous to build it? The choice is yours...
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
step 3: What you will need are...
I based the components I had easily available.
The recommended components you should get are ceramic capacitors and 1M 1 watt resistors. The ceramic capacitors are best suited for this project, because they are
cheap, readily available, and they are good for in pulse discharge circuits. Polypropylene pulse-rated capacitor would also work well, but are more expensive, and harder
to find with high voltage ratings. The resistors should be about 1M and 1 watt type, the normal 1/4 watt resistors are very unsuitable, if used, it will cause arcing and the
resistors will burn out and damage the marx generator, so use the 1 watt metal glazed or carbon film resistors is suitable.
If in doubt, try building just a couple of stages first to see how well the parts you use will work before you buy more...
Also you can use a base for your marx generator, the best suited base are glass (too fragile), ceramic (it's breakable) plastics (ideal, but some of them may be
conductive), or whatever you think it is good! I use wood, a very baaad idea (because wood is conductive), but I have no choice, wooden base or no base.
You can use capacitors with larger values to get fatter, louder sparks, but take longer to recharge! You can often run capacitors in excess of their rated voltage, but
obviously this increased the risk of failure!
And don't forget, the size of sparks at the output gap will depend on the input voltage and number of stages...
(UPDATE)
I got all my components from Farnell. Here is a list of things you will need to get if you are going to buy the components from Farnell.
1nF 4Kv ceramic capacitors
1M 2 watt 500v carbon film resistors
4.7M 1 watt 3.5Kv metal glazed resistor
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
step 4: Also you need the tools!
Also you need the tools!
What you will really need is a soldering iron! Or you will have a pain in the ass time to build the marx generator, and get very poor results because of the corona
discharge...
You will need a helpers hands, they are very useful to have, they help you to get the job done quicker. If you don't have one, MAKE ONE! Salvaged Solder Helper
And you may need other common tools for this project...
I made my own 6Kv power supply for my marx generator. My power supply is a small homemade 350v inverter with a 18 stage voltage multiplier to get about 6.3Kv.
OR, you can make your own power supply for your marx generator, go to this instructable: High Voltage Power Supply For Marx Generator
Also the marx generator has no polarity, you can connect it to the HV power supply in any way round.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
step 6: The construction of the marx generator.
Depending how you want your marx generator, I will tell you how I did mine...
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
Image Notes Image Notes
1. HV output! 1. Good solder joint.
2. Rb resistors. 2. Capacitor's lead.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
Image Notes Image Notes
1. Good. This is how you should do it. 1. Good solder joint.
2. Capacitor's lead.
Image Notes
1. This is where you get a big spark.
2. Spark gap.
3. All the resistors are 1M 1 watt.
4. Any value ceramic capacitor with voltage ratings of 4 - 8Kv.
5. 10M 1 watt resistor.
SNAP
Wow!
SNAP
Cool!
SNAP
It works!!! Yay!
SNAP
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
step 9: Troubleshooting
If you have problems with your mark generator, read here...
Q. - My marx generator is not making any sparks, but I hear faint hissing and/or faint snap noise, and sometimes see a purple glow.
A. - This is a good thing, your marx generator is working, but one or more gaps are probably too far apart, push them closer together. If gaps are too close, especially
near the supply end, you may see a continuous arc forming, preventing further operation. Increasing the gap on the first (and possibly second) stage may reduce the
tendency to arc. Increasing the ballast resistor Rb also helps, at the expense of slower recharge time.
Q. - My marx generator is working, but after a few seconds, it made a "POP" noise, and it did not work again...
A. - That is a bad sign, a capacitor may have been destroyed from excess voltage OR your HV power supply has been killed from the extremely high voltage spikes from
the marx generator. Replace the capacitor/inverter and don't make that same mistake again...
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
step 10: SPARKS!!!
My marx generator works very well, it generates loud, bright, sparks that are up to 2 inches long (5 cm)! That is about 50Kv (50,000v) coming out of that thing!
I hope you enjoyed this instructable, and enjoy the photos down below! And the video I just uploaded!
(UPDATE) I just uploaded a video of my marx generator working, sorry for the poor quality with no sounds, I had used my crappy camera. :(
Video
Image Notes
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
1. 2 inch long spark!!!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
Image Notes
1. A spark from my Marx Generator.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 232 comments
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
patenaude says: Aug 30, 2008. 11:43 AM REPLY
It may be lower amperage, but an arc welder has almost no voltage. While an arc welder provides 100's (sometimes 1000's) of amps, it does it at only a
volt or two. At that voltage, your body is effectively an open circuit, and it poses no danger. You could apply the cathode and anode of an arc welder
directly to the heart, and the biggest danger would be from infection.
However, 5kV-10kV is serious, and while a static charge on your finger is higher voltage (20kV), it only has a few microamps, whereas this will put out an
amp or two of a few milliseconds. Actually, it's producing a 2 inch spark, it must be getting to at least 50kV and probably higher since the breakdown
voltage of dry air is 33kV/cm. (It's less for humid air). At that voltage, x-rays are a real possibility, though probably not that many.
Here is Farnell's partner website, Newark, I think it is same thing as Farnell, but sells stuff in America. Tell me what you think of it! :-)
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
kruser495 says: Sep 30, 2008. 4:00 PM REPLY
30,000 volts = 1 centimeter spark. so yours cant be only 50,000 if your sparks are 5 cm.
1) all the capacitors are charged to the same voltage through the resistors.
2)after a certain voltage, the tiny gaps act like switches wiring all the capacitors in parallel. This makes output voltage = input voltage x number of
capacitors.
A much better explanation is on the website linked to at the start of the instructable.
I am most definitely buying all my components from farnell from now on.
Now I will have to make another purchase so I can build the HV supply on your other instructable. I will post pictures when finished.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
kruser495 says: Sep 30, 2008. 6:25 PM REPLY
i am thinking of making this as a sci project. if i were to get shocked would i die? what is the amperage this thing gives off?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
twenglish1 says: Sep 26, 2008. 12:04 PM REPLY
awesome i can't wait to build one!!!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/