High Voltage Power-Supply Using Ignition Coil (DIY Plasma Glob/Bulb)

High voltage power supply

Block-diagram

Here I explain a high voltage power-supply making circuit based on the 555 timer IC. The high voltage power-supply is made by using a step-up transformer. Here I use an ignition coil instead of step-up transformer. It s basically a high voltage transformer. I here use a 3 wheeler ignition coil.

But it works in an AC voltage only. So I created a high frequency square wave oscillator circuit for this purpose. Then the square wave signal is given to the power transistor to increase its power by boosting its current. Here I explain the working of high frequency oscillator circuit.

The 555 timer is a well known IC in the world. It contain 2 comparactors and one flip-flop. So it is used for multipurpose works. Here I wired it as an astable multi vibrator. After wiring up the circuit, connect it to a power-supply. I provide a 9V battery for oscillator and 24V power given from the PC SMPS. After connecting it to the power-supply, first the capacitor is charging up by using the resistor from Vcc to the capacitor. Now the output state is high (Vcc). After some time the capacitor charge to a 2/3 Vcc voltage, the output changes to lower value (0V). At the same time the pin number 7 goes to a lower potential and it will discharge the capacitor, when reaching the capacitor a voltage below the 1/3 Vcc the output goes to high and the pin number 7 goes to off. So the charging of capacitor starts. Then repeats the above procedures. So it is work freely with out any trigger. So it is called an oscillator. Then the output given to an NPN power transistor. It is on when its base at high potential and off when its base potential at low value. So the transistor output is a fluctuating one. So it is good for the working of the ignition coil. So the ignition coil works and produce a high voltage at the output terminals. It is danger for us So handle with care. The transistor side and oscillator side are work at two independent power supplies, because the ignition coil is an inductor , so it produce surges , the surges damage the 555 IC. It is prevented by separating the power supplies into two independent one. It is the simple method otherwise we need extra surge suppressor circuit for removing the surges. the potentio-meter is used to change the oscillator frequency. It is used to tune the ignition coil, because at a particular frequency the ignition coil produce maximum power output. It is tune by rotating the potentio-meter. So finally we complete our high voltage power-supply.

Completed PCB

Ignition coil connections

For more construction details please visit my Instructable. Link is given below,
https://www.instructables.com/id/PLASMA-Bulb-1/

I also made plasma bulb using this high voltage power-supply. Its video is given below. Its construction details is given in my Instructable. OK. Please visit it.

https://www.instructables.com/id/PLASMA-Bulb-1/

Plasma bulb full assembly

Plasma bulb in working