SpudFiles

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You need a switch between the flash circuit's cap and the coil, otherwise as the flash circuit generates voltage, that is supposed to be stored in the cap, it just bleeds off through the coil.

Connect a wire from one of the flashboard's "big-ass-cap" leads to one of the input leads of the coil.

Connect another wire from the the other big-ass-cap lead to a switch.

Connect the other terminal of the switch to the other input lead of the coil.

Connect the two output leads of the coil to a suitable spark gap.

Put a battery in the flashboard and turn it on. Let the big-ass-cap charge for a few seconds at least.

TurboSuper wrote:Wiring two capacitors in series will make it less powerful, actually.

no it won't, it just takes more time to charge them. but i do suggest using a single, more powerful capacitor than multiple less powerful ones in a circuit, you'll get better performance. Also depends on the uf and wattage rating (written on the capacitor itself) to how much "juice" the capacitor can hold.

jimmy101 wrote:You need a switch between the flash circuit's cap and the coil, otherwise as the flash circuit generates voltage, that is supposed to be stored in the cap, it just bleeds off through the coil.

Connect a wire from one of the flashboard's "big-ass-cap" leads to one of the input leads of the coil.

Connect another wire from the the other big-ass-cap lead to a switch.

Connect the other terminal of the switch to the other input lead of the coil.

Connect the two output leads of the coil to a suitable spark gap.

Put a battery in the flashboard and turn it on. Let the big-ass-cap charge for a few seconds at least.

Your explanation is written very well but I'm afraid i still don't understand. Could you (or somebody) please draw a diagram of what you mean.

sthorne wrote:

TurboSuper wrote:Wiring two capacitors in series will make it less powerful, actually.

no it won't, it just takes more time to charge them. but i do suggest using a single, more powerful capacitor than multiple less powerful ones in a circuit, you'll get better performance. Also depends on the uf and wattage rating (written on the capacitor itself) to how much "juice" the capacitor can hold.

*sigh*


Yes, it will, capacitors in series follow the same formula as resistors in parallel. Therefore, the more you have, the smaller the value gets.

Ergo, more caps in series=less capacitance=less total charge time yet less power. The only benefit you get from connecting them in series is you increase their rated voltage, since they'll act like a potential divider.

Connecting them in parallel will give the effect you described above.

People, there's a wonderful wikipedia article on this if you still don't believe me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitors

As for Jimmy's instructions, he's telling you to wire the two leads of the capacitor to the two leads of the coil, with a switch in between so you can give the capacitor a chance to charge. I'd draw up a diagram, but you sound like a smart guy

You'll want a high current switch. You can also use a relay, or an SCR.

TurboSuper wrote:As for Jimmy's instructions, he's telling you to wire the two leads of the capacitor to the two leads of the coil, with a switch in between so you can give the capacitor a chance to charge. I'd draw up a diagram, but you sound like a smart guy Wink

You'll want a high current switch. You can also use a relay, or an SCR.

thanks for the help. i plan on using a high current switch to complete the circuit to the cap to let it charge, then a momentary switch (main trigger) to complete the whole circuit. Ill make a diagram of how I think i should set it up in a bit, gotta work on some homework first.

Im sorry to hijack this topic but this is annoying me.

Internet Explorer decided to take a poop on me and be slow. So i switched to firefox which has been working fine.

But some pages come in cursive font and that annoys me because i cant read it. Since i am new to firefox i have been trying to find out how to change it but i have had no success.

So can someone tell me how to change the font?
Thx

that's gotta be the strangest thing I've ever heard, I'm using firefox as we speak (have been for 5 years) and never had that happen to me.

try google-ing it?

Its usually only with wikipedia and the spudwiki and a couple of other sites but im searching now as i type.

okey dokie! tell me if you find anything, encase i may encounter the same problem

Double post, i know...

anyway, i stole an ignition coil from my push mower but dont know how to make the connections because it's set up kinda weird. If somebody could edit my pic and tell/show me where i should make the connections in relation to the flash circuit, it would be greatly appreciated.

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****! are you sure i cant use this?

Sure you can, just not with the camera flash.

If i understand correctly, it runs off mechanical power.