Ring launcher: high voltage + high current + plasma triggered switch = extreme acceleration + fun

Don't try this at home! A setup like this is potentially lethal.

I've shown a few videos before, but in this video I explain a bit more about the workings. Also, I have now "matured" the setup such that it works reliably, and it is mounted on a compact board.

The main elements of the setup are the coil and ring, and a triggered spark gap (plasma switch). This switch can switch 1000+ Amps easily, while costing only a few cents.

If you wish to know more, just let me know in the comments!

Edit: I see the video is rotated... Sorry! Will try to fix it; so far no luck.

[NANA-kjpk]

What is that golden thing with the heatsink? A bleed resistor?

[sozo]

"Never try this at home" So question where did you try that?

[rodriguezfranco]

I want to build one of those, but I have electrolitic capacitors wich are polarized and I try to take good care of them I am worried about damaging them from the backspike from the coil, do you think a UF diode across the coil would stop the backspike ? Wich diode would you choose ? I guess a small uf4007 diode won't be enough or am I wrong ?

[SheikhN-bible-syndrome]

How are you getting 1000A out of a capacitor thats not 1000A?