
If you like high-voltage sparks arcing through the air (and who doesnโt?), check out the Coil Driver, which drives an automotive ignition coil at audio frequencies. Like other musical kits, the Coil Driver makes a great group build because you can all make cool sounds together when youโre done. However, while itโs an easy solder, this kit may intimidate the casual maker because, letโs face it, high-voltage current is scary.
Each board drives one automotive ignition coil, and you can control one or more using an Arduino microcontroller (not included). Designers Brett Downing and Daniel Harmsworth, of the Artifactory hackerspace in Perth, Australia, used these boards to build their Polyplasmic Arcophone, a giant instrument that features 13 Jacobโs ladders, zapping out music!
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