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Build a simple Marx Generator

by Plasmana on August 25, 2008

Table of Contents

intro: Build a simple Marx Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: So, how does it work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 2: The dangers you must know... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 3: What you will need are... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 4: Also you need the tools! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 5: Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

step 6: The construction of the marx generator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

step 7: Spark gaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

step 8: Testing... Testing... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SNAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SNAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SNAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SNAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

step 9: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

step 10: SPARKS!!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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.

Video

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...

Now, you know how it works (I hope), so lets build it!

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.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
step 2: The dangers you must know...
The marx generators are dangerous high voltage generating machines, they produce a pulse discharge of many thousands of volts at approximately 5 to 10 amps! If the
spark from the marx generator bites you, your life is over...

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 once a while. If you want to be safe, use laser protection glasses, it will take out nearly all of the
UV emitted from the spark and you might not be able to see the spark well, but it much better for your eyes.

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...

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...

But I will tell you what I used...

Ten 1nF, 4Kv ceramic capacitors

Twenty 1M, 2 watt, 500v carbon film resistors (I brought the 2 watt resistors because they are somewhat cheaper then the 1 watt resistors!)
Two 4.7M, 1 watt, 3.5Kv metal glazed resistor for the Rb.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
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

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

Hot glue gun is also very handy, it holds everything in place.

And you may need other common tools for this project...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
step 5: Power supply
The marx generator requires a low-current, high voltage DC in the range 4-8KV power supply. Small, low-current HV power supplies are found in things like ionisers (air
purifiers), photocopiers and laser printers, those should be suitable.

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.

step 6: The construction of the marx generator.

Depending how you want your marx generator, I will tell you how I did mine...

I first hot glue the capacitors on the base.

Then I soldered the 1M resistors on the capacitors using my handy helper's hands, and cutting off the excess resistor's leads. But I did not cut the capacitor's lead down,
you will see why on the next step...
Then I soldered the 4.7M resistors in.
And one more thing, make sure you have good solder joints, and make sure they are no pointy ends on the marx generator, except the capacitor's leads and the HV
output of the marx generator. Otherwise having pointy ends all over the marx generator will cause corona discharge, and that will decrease the performance of the marx
generator.

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/
step 7: Spark gaps
Okay, once you had soldered the capacitors and resistors all together, you need to make the spark gaps.
This is what the capacitor's leads are for, making the spark gaps!
Okay, so bend the leads into a "V" shape and bring the ends of the "V" shaped leads about 2 mm (about 0.08 inch) close together.
But do not bring the pointy ends of the leads close together, that will cause a lot of corona discharge, and your marx generator will have very poor performance, or might
not ever work...

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.

step 8: Testing... Testing...

All right, you had built a marx generator, and it is now time to test it! Wire up your marx generator to the HV power supply and flip the switch!

3... 2... 1... *Flips switch* And.....

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 not doing anything what so ever.

A. - Is there something wrong with the inverter? Check it to see if it working or not.
A. - Did you make sure you built the marx generator properly?
A. - Did you miss out any connections?

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!

Well I hope yours works when you build one! :)

And can you post a picture of your marx generator if you build one?

To let you know, all of the photos that has a few sparks in a single picture are 4 second long exposures.

I hope you enjoyed this instructable, and enjoy the photos down below! And the video I just uploaded!

Comment if you need help, have question, or anything! I like comments!

(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

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
 Image Notes
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/
Related Instructables

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Generator by SUPPLY IN 5 Leyden Jar by Speaker by Generator by Plasmana by
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 408 comments

JohnMichael says: May 26, 2009. 3:37 PM REPLY

If using different capacitors; how do I calculate what size resistors to use?

Enterrupt says: May 31, 2009. 5:32 PM REPLY

In the cockcroft walton multiplier the caps determine your time constant and surge current.

Choose capacitors that can handle roughly 2x your max input. I used small ceramic disc caps. The smaller their value, the faster they will charge. This
allows a more rapid spark. Larger caps will provide a bigger *bang* but there will be more time between arc discharges.

I tend to think smaller caps provide a better result for demonstrating HV here because the camera board does not source very much current at all.

JohnMichael says: May 26, 2009. 3:39 PM REPLY

Disposable cameras use a 1.5 volt battery to charge a 330 volt capacitor. How does that work?

mad magoo says: May 26, 2009. 6:25 PM REPLY

JohnMichael: First of all, i know this isn't correct entirely, but it is a simple explanation of how this stuff works, without all that stuff about toroids and
collapsing magnetic fields. I know this isn't REALLY how this works, but it's the best explananation I can give. Disposable cameras use a 1.5 volt battery
to charge a 330 volt capacitor by turning the direct current ( one constant positive, one constant negative) into Alternating Current ( positive and negative
switch places rapidly, like wall power) through a simple circuit with a transistor. When you have alternating current, or AC, you can put it into what is
called a transformer. A transformer is a device that usually consists of two coils of wire wrapped around an iron core. One coil will have fewer wraps of
wire around the core, and the other will have more. When the low-voltage AC from the battery enters the coil with fewer turns of wire, it turns the iron into
an electromagnet, with a different north and south pole every time its positive and negative switch places. That electromagnet, in turn, induces an electric
current in the other coil. However, since the other coil has more wraps of wire, the energy is induced in more wire and thus gains voltage, enough to
charge the capacitor. I didn't give you any theory behind it, for that you'll have to go to wikipedia, and that's not exactly how it works, but that's a good
explanation of how transformers are used. Check out instructables on the joule thief for more info.

JohnMichael says: May 27, 2009. 6:35 PM REPLY

That makes sense. I am familiar with transformers. I did not realize the cameras converted DC to AC and then back to DC. With this, if one knew
where to tap into the circuit they could use the 'Cockroft-Walton Voltage Multiplier' in place of the transformer to get a high voltage (short lived)
charge? How do these relate to the 'Darlington Transistor'?
(I appreciate you patience. Electronics and foreign languages appear to be the two things I struggle with.)

mad magoo says: May 30, 2009. 5:36 PM REPLY

Also, as for your question about how these relate to Darlington Transistors: There is really no relation I know of ( although that is by no means a
guarantee that one doesn't exist). A Darlington Transistor is a pair of transistors connected in such a way as to give them very high gain. I don't
know of any relation between them and this.

mad magoo says: May 29, 2009. 3:33 PM REPLY

Well, the instructable I posted below really helped me out:: itdoesn't convert DC to AC. Sorry. Look at the instructable below for information. Also,
I think that you could use a Cockcroft-Walton multiplier, if you knew where to get into the circuit, but I'm not sure if a Cockcroft-Walton device will
take square-wave power, and it would be easier to just rig up a 555 like in the instructable below and hook that up to the multipkier. Check this
out for more information: http://www.instructables.com/id/DC_to_DC_Boost_Converter_1/?ALLSTEPS

Enterrupt says: May 31, 2009. 5:26 PM REPLY

Hey folks - I have driven a Cockcroft-walton multiplier using a disposable camera board as the source. While engaged, the mini flyback
transformer puts out about 400V AC that can be pulled from one of its pins.

Please note that operating the disposable cam board in this way seems to fry them rather quickly.

Plasmana says: May 26, 2009. 3:59 PM REPLY

By using the voltage boost converter, i am not too sure how it works, I'm still leaning. :-)

Derin says: May 30, 2009. 2:11 AM REPLY

Plas,try adding music with YouTube's Sound Replace thingy.That might help with the no-sound problem.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
 gobitz says: May 26, 2009. 5:35 PM REPLY
Would using a HV input, home made HV bottle capacitors, and HV diodes work?

Plasmana says: May 27, 2009. 5:41 AM REPLY

yes

gobitz says: May 27, 2009. 7:08 AM REPLY

OK. I'll try it tonight.

pyroten says: May 22, 2009. 7:02 PM REPLY

whats the small circuit in step 5? the one connected to the input of the voltage multiplier =/ is it necessary?

-henry- says: May 22, 2009. 8:28 PM REPLY

it looks like the a breadboarded version of his 'Worlds Smallest Electronic Shocker,' but he has another instructable on how to make a different power
supply. Yes, it is necessary.

pyroten says: May 23, 2009. 12:37 AM REPLY

whoa. ur rite. i looked at it again and the transformer and diode looked like some hexagonal stuff. But yes i saw his other power supply. So if i just
built his worlds smallest electronic shocker, i could hook it up to this. =/ but doesn't that just output with 2AA's something like 800V DC?

pyroten says: May 23, 2009. 2:05 AM REPLY

oh wait wait. i looked again and yea i see he's wired up his voltage multiplier to it. is that all?

-henry- says: May 23, 2009. 8:15 AM REPLY

His voltage multiplier runs on mains voltage, but this runs on batteries, so he used the shocker as a power source to boost the battery
voltage.

pyroten says: May 23, 2009. 9:24 PM REPLY

rite. so the shocker is the substitute for the mains? but isn't the shocker outputting DC and the multiplier runs off half wave AC or pulsed
DC?

thanks for this btw :)

-henry- says: May 24, 2009. 9:03 AM REPLY

I believe that the shocker outputs AC, but I'm not sure.

PS. you're welcome!

pyroten says: May 25, 2009. 1:05 AM REPLY

oh rite. haha okay thx heaps

rp181 says: Apr 12, 2009. 12:57 PM REPLY

its not current that matters. There is no simple way to say" this kills you". Voltage, frequency, and other factors affect it.
Generally it takes 16 joules to kill you, not amps!.

Plasmana says: Apr 14, 2009. 1:47 AM REPLY

How do i calculate joules from voltage and current? Is there some online calculators I could use? (I can't seem to fine any)

morganw says: May 21, 2009. 7:35 PM REPLY

get Electronics Assistant its free and very helpful

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
 iguanadeath says: May 2, 2009. 12:10 PM REPLY
Volts is Joules per coulomb J/c=V

Zypherking says: Apr 23, 2009. 2:19 AM REPLY

I think Wikipedia has a chart for the conversions. There is a lot of cool stuff on that site. So I looked it up just as I'm typing this to save ya time, Its
watts multiplied by time (watt x time) and times in seconds. I think its like 1 watt in 1 sec = 1 joule.

JKibs95 says: May 26, 2009. 4:32 PM REPLY

I thought 1Jx1s=1W

Zypherking says: May 27, 2009. 2:40 AM REPLY

yeah I think your right, how i said it, or meant it was like 1 watt over 1 sec = 1 joule which is the same as 1joule times 1 sec = 1 watt.

MMurchie says: May 13, 2009. 6:33 AM REPLY

I made a similar device two years ago.
It generates about 270 volts using 3 batteries, so you can't really see a discharge arc of electricity.
It works by having ten capaciters connected to a simple circuit with lots of switches enabling you to switch the circuit from parallel (whereby the capacitors
are charged up) to series (where one discharges the capacitors).
The result is a big 'explosion' of sparks about on 50th of a second long.
It's a small voltage compared to the marx generator and it takes ages to charge up a small quick discharge, but hey, I used three batteries as a power source
and I was 13 when I made it (Plus I got some help from my dad).
Nice instructable, maybe I'll try making a Marx generator sometime, too.

tulavatalo says: Mar 7, 2009. 7:28 AM REPLY

do you know a site that delivers thes components to other countries then uk

7x13 says: May 3, 2009. 10:30 AM REPLY

Try mouser.com

shuhia says: Apr 27, 2009. 6:49 AM REPLY

how did u make that minatyre transformer chip in the first photo

Plasmana says: Apr 29, 2009. 11:03 AM REPLY

I did not make it, it was manufactured.

firehand7 says: Apr 27, 2009. 1:14 PM REPLY

Wood will change its conductivity as the humidity changes. An easy way to make wood a very good insulator is to coat it with Varethane or any other
polyurethane or even several coats of varnish.

z50j says: Apr 23, 2009. 4:02 PM REPLY

is it possible to make a marx generator with a source of only a 9v battery?

cryptopsii says: Apr 21, 2009. 4:47 PM REPLY

@Derin Ha! I understand how always not know shipping cost must be annoying
but i just went to farnell... THEY DO have a turkish page...

Arnseb says: Apr 19, 2009. 10:47 AM REPLY

Can you use less resistors and capacitors (make it shorter) and get a smaller spark and less mA? Because this looks like a pretty good ignitor for pyrotech.

Plasmana says: Apr 21, 2009. 1:44 PM REPLY

Yes, you can use less resistors and capacitors for lower output voltage.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/
 Arnseb says: Apr 21, 2009. 2:08 PM REPLY
Ok! How many do I need to get a non-lethal spark?

sabre says: Apr 20, 2009. 7:52 AM REPLY

I love the instructable, but could you post a schematic of the small inverter you show here? I would like to be able to run the marx generator off of a battery.

sabre says: Apr 20, 2009. 7:53 AM REPLY

on second thought... Would a camera flash circuit do the trick, or is that still DC power?

guyfrom7up says: Aug 28, 2008. 6:01 AM REPLY

Nope, sunglasses won't cut it. They will barely protect you from this

You need special glasses meant for lasers, they cost about 30 bucks if you want to be safe.

you can get them at wicked laser, but never buy your lasers there, the owner is a bad man, but the glasses are good.

I'd assume you would want the ones that block uv

Plasmana says: Apr 14, 2009. 1:45 AM REPLY

Sunglasses won't do good? I read somewhere it will help, I guess they are wrong...

guyfrom7up says: Apr 19, 2009. 9:35 AM REPLY

well, these guys showed a demonstration on sunglasses vs realy protection vs various powers of lasers.

sunglasses let almost everything through

realy protection left nothing through

skuitarman says: Dec 31, 2008. 4:54 PM REPLY

how is he a bad man

Xellers says: Dec 30, 2008. 3:43 PM REPLY

How do you know the owner is a bad man? You have sparked my curiosity! Say more!

guyfrom7up says: Apr 19, 2009. 9:37 AM REPLY

woah, this was a long time ago, sorry

apparently he modifies cheap lasers and drastically overpowers them and thus have like a 5 minute or less life span. He moved to china to get away
from getting in trouble, and i think he uses a fake name. he use to buy simple torch lights (and maybe still does) and just cranks up the power, and if
it breaks asks the original manufactuer for a refund, but since he does this so much the manufactier cut him off. It's a pretty interesting story

Xellers says: Apr 28, 2009. 6:29 AM REPLY

But then how does he make business - especially if his lasers fail quickly?

Plasmana says: Apr 21, 2009. 1:39 PM REPLY

How did he manage to overpower the lasers? I lost my only cheap laser when I remove the current limiting resistor and gave the laser it's same
power source, but it burnt out before it even turn on! :-(

Xellers says: Apr 28, 2009. 6:30 AM REPLY

Maybe a smaller resistor - or even PWM?

view all 408 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_a_simple_Marx_Generator/