Re: The Geek Group High Voltage Capacitors, making a HV switch, or HV switch gear (fwd)

["High Voltage list" <hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Steven Roys <sroys@xxxxxxxxxx>



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 20:37:30 -0800
From: Jim Lux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: High Voltage list <hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx>, hvlist <hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: The Geek Group High Voltage Capacitors, making a HV  switch,
     or HV switch gear (fwd)

At 07:09 PM 10/29/2006, High Voltage list wrote:
>Original poster: Steven Roys <sroys@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
>
>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 19:15:31 -0700
>From: Jim Mora <jmora@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: 'High Voltage list' <hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: The Geek Group High Voltage Capacitors, making a HV switch,
>      or HV switch gear
>
>Hello all,
>
>I would like to start a thread on the large number of The Geek Group HV
>capacitors recently sent to them from Lawrence - Livermore. They typically
>are 7.2uf 50KV 9000 Joules.
>
>I need some suggestions to create a High voltage double pole triple throw
>switch that could handle an exploding wire demonstration in the several KJ
>range at say 30-40KV.
>
>One position would be for charging, one for standby, and one for fire. This
>could be two switches one to disconnect the PS and one to close the business
>end. A third could be a final absolute bleeder. Anyone who has done this
>sort of experience please chime in.

I would use air cylinders (you can use plastic tubing to carry the 
air) driving pieces of copper pipe as the electrodes.

Small air cylinders are available from a variety of sources (e.g. C&H 
Sales for surplus, Bimba, Parker and Clippard for new).  You can find 
solenoid valve manifolds with half a dozen or more 3way or 4 way 
valves on them and hook it up to an inexpensive air 
compressor.  Typical cylinders run <$10 each.

Watch out for the cost of the fittings.. they run a buck or two each, 
but they add up.

You can also get pneumatic toggle switches and push buttons.



>I have some HV pole switches but they surely can't take this abuse.
>
>This forum seems more appropriately posted here then on the Tesla list.
>Please invite us if that is acceptable with you.
>
>Best Regards,
>Jim Mora
>Ojai, Ca.