Photograph of high

voltage power supply

shown with optional
24 VAC transformer
 Important Safety Warning
This kit is not intended for children! Assembly of this kit requires high-temperature solder-
ing and the use of sharp edged components and cutting tools. Some included components
may become hot, leak, or explode if used improperly. Images strongly recommends that
you wear safety glasses when building or working with any electronic equipment.

This is a high voltage power supply that is intended for use by adults. Children should not
build or operate this kit.

By using this product, you agree not to hold Images liable for any injury or damage related
to the use or to the performance of this product. This product is not designed for, and should
not be used in, applications where the malfunction of the product could cause injury or
damage.

Contacting Images SI Inc.

You can check the Images web site at http://www.imagesco.com/ for latest
information about application examples and troubleshooting tips.

We would be delighted to hear from you about your project and about your experience. You
can contact us by email at [email protected]. Tell us what we did well, what we could
improve, what you would like to see in the future, or anything else you would like to say!

2
Figure 1
This High Voltage power source may be used in a variety of applications, that include:

* Kirlian photography
* HeNe Laser tube power supply
* X-ray tubes
* Plasma and neon tubes
* Negative ion generators, etc.

The power supply features variable frequency control using a potentiometer. It also has a
High-Low frequency range switch. In addition, this circuit can be either battery powered
12 VDC, or powered from a wall transformer, 9-24 V with either an AC or DC output.
Powering the unit from batteries provides the advantage of portability for fieldwork.

How the Circuit Works

The circuit schematic for the high voltage power supply is shown in Figure 1. This is a
simple device that is based on the 555 timer. The 555 Timer is set up as an astable oscilla-
tor. The output signal from the 555 Timer is fed to the base of Q2, a 3055 transistor. The
signal from the collector of Q2 is fed to the base of a high voltage transistor that turns the
transistor on and off.

The frequency of the 555 timer is controlled by the potentiometer and hi-low switch that
adjust the timing capacitor. The potentiometer used in this circuit is a double-ganged po-
tentiometer. Which means that it is two potentiometers that share a common shaft. A close
up of the potentiometer is shown in Figure 5. The center terminal of the potentiometer is
called the wiper. The two wipers of the potentiometers are soldered together and connected
to pin 7 of the 555 Timer.

All the current to energize the HV ignition coil passes through transistor Q1. To prevent
Q1 from overheating, a large heat sink is at-
tached.

The transformer T1 is a high voltage autotrans-

former. The T1 ignition coil transformer is a
three terminal device. Figure 2 shows where we
connect power from our circuit to the coil. The
coil has a plastic protuberance that is the high
voltage output of the transformer. A well-
insulated (HV) wire is molded to this protuber-
ance. The leads on the PC board labeled M+ and
M– are not used.

Figure 2
 Construction of High Voltage Power Supply

Figure 3
The components are mounted on the top side of the PC board. The top side of the board has
white silk screen component drawings. The components are soldered on the opposite side of
the pc board. After soldering the component to the board, any excess wire is clipped off.

Begin construction by mounting and soldering the 8-pin socket. Insert the IC socket, making
sure to orient the notch on the socket to the drawing on the PCB and solder to the PC board.

Next mount and solder Q2, the 7805 volt- Figure 4

age regulator and Q3, the 3055. Mount and
solder R1, the 15K (color bands brown,
green, orange) resistor and R2, the 4.7K
resistor (color bands yellow, violet and
red). R3, the 100 ohm resistor (color bands
brown, black, brown), R4, the 330 ohm 1/2
watt resistor (color bands orange, orange,
brown), and R5, the 33 ohm resistor (color
bands orange, orange, black) should now be
mounted and soldered. Next mount and sol-
der the bridge rectifier D1, making sure to
orientated the + pin of the rectifier to the
silk screen. Now, mount and solder capaci-
tors C2 and C3, 330uF capacitors. Next
mount and solder D2, the 1N5401 diode
and C5, .01 uF capacitor.
Wire the double ganged potentiometer as Figure 5
shown in Figure 5. Next, solder the opposite
ends of the wires to the printed circuit board,
in the box labeled “POT”. The center wire of
the potentiometer is soldered into the center
pad on the labeled box. The two end wires are
soldered into the pads on either side of the
center position.

Mount the Q1 transistor to the black alumi-

num heat sink. Next, mount the heat sink and
transistor to the Q1 position on the PC board.
The heat sink has two feet that fit into the
holes on the PC board. Solder the heat sink
feet in the holes to make a mechanically strong bond.

Attach 6 inch wires to both switches SW1 and SW2. Solder opposite ends of the wire into the
pads marked SW1 and SW2 on the pc board respectively. Switch SW1 controls power to the
circuit. Switch SW2 is the frequency high-low frequency control. Mount and solder capaci-
tors C1 (.047uF), C4 (.1uF) to the PC board. Solder two 10” lengths of wire to the HV coil
pads on the PC board. Attach the crimp terminals to the opposite ends on these wires. The
quick disconnect terminal attaches to the (+) wire; the ring terminal to the (-). Attach these
terminals to the HV coil as shown in Figure 6. Making sure to place the (+) lead to the (+)
terminal on the HV coil. See Figure 2.

Attach power leads to either the AC input or DC input pads on the PC board.

Next install the integrated circuit. When

Figure 6 installing integrated circuit (IC) chips,
begin by first identifying the top of the
chip. The top of the chip has a marker,
many times it is a half circle cutout.
Sometimes it is a small mark identifying
pin 1 on the IC. In both cases the marks
show us the top of the IC chip. Orientate
the top of IC chips with the white silk
screen drawings of the components on
the top of the pc board (usually a half
circle cutout) or on the parts placement
drawings and install the IC into their
socket. The leads on the PC board la-
beled M+ and M– are not used.
Testing & Finishing Construction
To test the circuit, take the open end of the HV wire and place it about ¼” away from the (-)
terminal on the ignition coil. Apply power to the circuit. An electrical discharge should jump
between the HV wire and the negative terminal of the ignition coil. Adjust the potentiometer
(frequency control) to obtain the largest spark across the discharge.

If you do not get a continuous HV spark, you have a board error. Go back to your pc board
and start checking your components and soldering.

The working circuit should be mounted inside a plastic enclosure. Coat any exposed wires
with a plastic spray to provide insulation (No-Arc spray is available at your local Radio-
Shack store. Corona dope is another insulating material. In a pinch you can use clear nail pol-
ish. Since nail polish is flammable, allow the nail polish to completely dry before using the
circuit.)

Frequency & Voltage Output

Using the standard C1 and C4 capacitors the low frequency range is approximately 500-1250
Hz. The high frequency range is approximately 1000-2000 Hz. Using a 24 VDC input voltage
to the circuit, the voltage output, measured using a spark gap and spherical electrodes is ap-
proximately 30-40 KV.
HVPS-01 Parts List
(1) PCB-36
(1) Heatsink-03
(1) .047 uF, 100V capacitor -C1
(2) 330 uF, 16V capacitors -C2,C3
(1) .1 uF, 100V capacitor- C4
(1) .01 uF, 100V capacitor- C5
(1) HV Transistor-Q1
(1) 7805 Voltage Regulator-Q2
(1) 3055-Q3
(1) LM555 Timer-U2
(1) HV transformer (HVT-09)-T1
(1) 15K 1/4 watt resistor-R1
(1) 4.7 K 1/4 watt resistor-R2
(1) 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistor-R3
(1) 330 ohm 1/2 watt resistor-R4
(1) 33 ohm 1/4 watt resistor-R5
(1) 2.2 Mega ohm 1/4 watt resistor-R6
(1) Bridge rectifier (BR-4A-100)-D1
(1) 1N5401 diode-D2
(1) SPST toggle switches(SW18)-SW1,SW2
(1) double ganged 10K potentiometer-POT
(1) 8 pin socket
(1) Screw 540x3/8 PH Z
(1) Nut 540x5/16 SS
(1) Ring Terminal (blue)-Terminal-34161
(1) 1/4" Quick Disconnect Terminal (red)
(1) Screw 1024x5/8-PH
(1)Nut 1024x3/8Z
(1)Lockwasher-LW-10
 Appendix A
Determining Resistor
Values:

Resistor values are

read using the color
bands on the body of
the resistor. The first
band is the one nearest
the end of the resistor.
Start reading from this
band. The first band
represents the first sig-
nificant number, the
second band, the sec-
ond significant number
and the third band is
the multiplier. If the
third band is gold or
silver this indicates a
multiplier value of .1
or .01 respectively.

Color Value Multiplier

Black 0 1
Brown 1 10 Example: A resistor with the following color bands Red,
Red 2 100 Red, Orange, Silver
Orange 3 1000
Yellow 4 10000 1st Number Red = 2
Green 5 100000 2nd number Red = 2
Blue 6 1000000 3rd Number Orange = 3 multiplier (# of zeros) that equals
Violet 7 10000000 1000
Gray 8 100000000 Silver = 10%
White 9 1000000000
Putting it all together:
Tolerance (%) Red Red Orange Value Tolerance
2 2 x 1000 = 22,000 ohms +/- 10%
Gold 5%
Silver 10%
No Band 20%