Tiny high voltage power supply unpotted.
Added 2020-04-14 08:19:42 +0000 UTCWhen you actually get a real ioniser lamp (some are fake) they contain a tiny little potted power supply that produces around 5kV at the output to ionise the air.
I depotted one from its hard resin to reverse engineer it.
The circuitry is very simple and uses a fairly uncommon component that you may not have come across before.
Comments
PM me your address or send it via email to bigclive1@gmail.com
Big Clive
2020-04-18 15:56:12 +0000 UTCSure am. You couldn't possibly spare me a wee bit please, sent in plain brown envelope...
Andrew Donaldson
2020-04-18 15:43:09 +0000 UTCAre you in the UK?
Big Clive
2020-04-16 16:02:32 +0000 UTCI only require 10cm of Carbon Fibre cable, But it is sold in 10 meter lengths. What am I supposed to do with rest of it? (As the actress said to the Bishop).
Andrew Donaldson
2020-04-16 15:19:00 +0000 UTCFantastic really enjoyed this one
2020-04-16 02:43:14 +0000 UTCIt can be used as a threshold switch, but not for handling high current pulses as that would cause serious electrode sputtering and failure. But it is often used in xenon strobes to trigger a thyristor.
Big Clive
2020-04-16 02:37:18 +0000 UTCI wonder if a neon indicator lamp could be used as a crude alternative to the sidac? Cheaper too, and relatively similar characteristics. Several neon indicators could be linked in series to acheive a higher breakdown voltage too.
Dan Coulson
2020-04-15 16:18:11 +0000 UTC"A wild Saidac Appeared!"
Jono Harley
2020-04-15 16:10:43 +0000 UTCThe number of subscribers that guy has. And he never even really speaks!
Big Clive
2020-04-15 15:20:27 +0000 UTCIt was from a UK based seller, but you may be able to find similar ones from China by using keywords like E27 LED ion https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352601881547
Big Clive
2020-04-15 15:19:44 +0000 UTCThat sounds better. I was hoping to find bulk generic ones on eBay. Instead I found what I'd guess are "service" parts for expensive heating controllers.
Big Clive
2020-04-15 15:19:02 +0000 UTCAnother wonderful exploration of a truly interesting thing! I don't think i want one though. :|
Michael Thompson
2020-04-15 08:32:59 +0000 UTCBetween the other technical channels at the end of the video and what BigClive subscribes to seems to explain how YouTube has been picking recommendations for me lately. For example, the last few days it kept recommending the Bina-View video linked at the end (which certainly was interesting) and in recent months recommended a lot of HVAC and piano(!!) music. The HVAC made sense being technical, but as for the piano music, well turns out Clive is subscribed to Vinheteiro and quick a peep there explains the piano recommendations.
Seán Byrne
2020-04-14 22:22:25 +0000 UTCDo you have a link for that lamp?
Hub Rijcks
2020-04-14 19:52:56 +0000 UTCClive, not sure about SIDAC pricing on ebay, but first quality components are available from Digi-Key for around $1 each (depending on specs), and half that in quantity. I really don't consider $1 that expensive for a switching component, and can't imagine US shipping to IoM would push it anywhere close to $10 apiece.
Mike Cowen
2020-04-14 19:21:11 +0000 UTCI think you answered that at about 11:45. I'm guessing it's a version of this.
Dustin
2020-04-14 16:54:30 +0000 UTCI wonder if this is the type of circuit you would fine inside a 5V ignition module?
Dustin
2020-04-14 16:44:31 +0000 UTCMr. Chekov... Your ionizer please...
Michael Thompson
2020-04-14 16:19:06 +0000 UTCI started with heat on this one and then decided to try the acetone method.
Big Clive
2020-04-14 13:03:05 +0000 UTCYou can also try to remove epoxy with a heat gun, this is less destructive for the components. It does not work with all epoxy variants.
2020-04-14 12:52:23 +0000 UTCChoice of voltage and higher current handling for pulsing the transformers.
Big Clive
2020-04-14 11:18:35 +0000 UTCAfter seeing the function of the SIDAC, I'm wondering what the difference is to a normal DIAC, that are commonly used in dimmer circuits?
2020-04-14 11:16:04 +0000 UTCI am excited to see the mystery tonight.
Simon Mikkelsen
2020-04-14 08:56:11 +0000 UTC
