Retrotech
N2
Low pressure nitrogen laser powered by output from an unrectified, 8kV, 60 Hz, AC sign transformer. Although the transformer output is AC, the dumper capacitor is quite small in terms of actual energy storage. As a result of this low capacitance and the relatively low frequency of the output from the high voltage power supply, the dumper is able to charge and discharge between peaks in the alternating current. If the current supply was too small, or the capacitance and frequency too large, this technique would not work without having the current supply rectified.
The original peaker and dumper capacitors were metal plates (sheet metal and aluminum tape) seperated by a plastic "for sale" sign. During operation a hole was burned through the plastic on the peaker, so I replaced the peaker with a Leyden Jar. The Leyden Jar is made from an empty "Smart Balance" brand "Buttery Spread" container.
N2
Low pressure nitrogen laser powered by output from an unrectified, 8kV, 60 Hz, AC sign transformer. Although the transformer output is AC, the dumper capacitor is quite small in terms of actual energy storage. As a result of this low capacitance and the relatively low frequency of the output from the high voltage power supply, the dumper is able to charge and discharge between peaks in the alternating current. If the current supply was too small, or the capacitance and frequency too large, this technique would not work without having the current supply rectified.
The original peaker and dumper capacitors were metal plates (sheet metal and aluminum tape) seperated by a plastic "for sale" sign. During operation a hole was burned through the plastic on the peaker, so I replaced the peaker with a Leyden Jar. The Leyden Jar is made from an empty "Smart Balance" brand "Buttery Spread" container.