HOW TO – Build a five foot tall Jacob’s ladder

Science Technology

LadderHere’s a great new Instructable in the Make group on building a five foot tall Jacob’s ladder from Ewilhelm, he writes “This classic climbing arc completes any mad scientist’s dungeon. Don’t touch the electrodes: they’re at 12 kV! Get a neon sign transformer rated for 9 – 12 kV and 30 mA. Make sure it’s an old style, heavy coil transformer and not solid-state. The solid-state transformers won’t start the arc. I got a Transco 12 kV 30 mA transformer on Ebay for $35. It didn’t have a wall plug, so I wired one on.”… Link.

8 thoughts on “HOW TO – Build a five foot tall Jacob’s ladder

  1. trollll says:

    This reminds me of a book my wife just got for me:

    Electronic Gadgets for the Evil Genius
    by Robert E. Iannini

    Very fun book! Details the cost, parts needed and how to assemble each project.

  2. JohnKit says:

    I’ve built a few of these myself and the effect is impressive! If it wasn’t for the loud noise, the ozone, the RF hash, and the over heating electrodes I’d have one running all the time.

  3. Vermin says:

    The electrodes can be spaced further apart at the top creating a much more spectacular plasma flame.

    This is a 6 footer I built from a 12kV 80mA NST (neon sign transformer):

    http://www.webclot.com/high_volt/images/DSCF0120.JPG

    The transformer is now used in my large Tesla Coil. Must take some pictures of it one day!

  4. Vermin says:

    The electrodes can be spaced further apart at the top creating a much more spectacular plasma flame.

    This is a 6 footer I built from a 12kV 80mA NST (neon sign transformer):

    http://www.webclot.com/high_volt/images/DSCF0120.JPG

    The transformer is now used in my large Tesla Coil. Must take some pictures of it one day!

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