document updated 15 years ago, on Dec 14, 2008
- BJT-based
- MOSFET-based
- IGBT-based
- SCR-based
- Sam Barros / powerlabs, multiple ones:
- SCR, capacitor discharge, 1Hz
- SCR, capacitor discharge, 6000Hz, 5000 watts = 20cm sparks, and boiling oil inside the ignition coils (if you're putting in 5000W, gee, really?)
- 555 + 2N3055 = 3cm sparks
- app note
- one-shot
TODO
- Build a CDI one-shot design, in case it's something that would work well for the potato cannon
- Build the crazy 15x 15v zener snubber
- Try an SCR-based design (possibly even with capacitor discharge). This is a great option because 1) it may be able to handle the back EMF without extra components? (since it can handle quite high voltage), 2) it can handle tons of current, 3) when the capaictor finishes discharging, we can drop the current to zero, so it'll automatically turn off.
- Add the ability to adjust the duty cycle. I've seen suggestions that a duty cycle of 5-15% provides the most power (most 555 circuits provide ~50%?). This may require a non-555 circuit, or a modified 555 circuit.
To research
- are there larger induction coils avaialble? Mr. 5000W up there suggests that there might be. (yes, he's crazy)
