DON'T BUY this HV Generator! Build this one instead....please

WARNING!: High voltage can be dangerous!

You can get the shown HV transformer here (affiliate links):

Websites which were shown in the video:

In this video we will be having a closer look at the terrible HV generators that you can get from Amazon or elsewhere. I will tell you why you should not buy one and along the way show you an alternative, which is a HV transformer. With it you can do all kinds of experiments and create different arcs. Let's get started!

Thanks to Altium for sponsoring this video.

Music:
2011 Lookalike by Bartlebeats

0:00 Disliking the HV Generator
1:26 Intro
2:05 HV Transformer Basics
3:30 Commercial Driver circuit
6:39 DIY Flyback circuit
8:31 DIY ZVS circuit
10:15 Verdict

[EricTheCat]

I like how that MOSFET de-soldered itself for you at 5:39. How convenient. :D

[MatthewDeveloper]

5:39 I believe this is what datasheet's mean with the "Integrated Over-Heating Protection" feature 🙂

[Makatea]

I think both ways have their merits. Certainly you learn more with a kit (for example that the included transistor is not up to snuff). But for building my gas-stove-igniter I used one of those ready-made modules, an 18650 and a spark plug. It works like a charm and a kit would be very hard to properly isolate. And frankly, I couldn't care less for the PTB-certification, that's just germans being germans for no good reason...

[divingquokka]

3:38: "a kit with suitable driver circuits" You mean: a transistor that burns out in minutes.

[PichanPerkele]

I actually used the "bad" HV generator to build an electric wasp swatter. It's ghetto af but wasps literally explode after a few seconds of electro therapy. With 10mm gaps and nothing in between it still arcs loudly all the time. I'm afraid to use it near sensitive electronics but I still love it.

[maurice-le-roux]

I literally bought 5 of those this week to upgrade some bugswatters for my friends. I will enjoy doing it like your advise in the video. Thank you so much!

[SkookumChoocher]

I like your videos, but I'd say the very beginning is kinda ridiculous. Why the heck should you need a certification for everything? Ugh.

[adityashukla]

Your videos are always perfectly timed. Just got my hands on few small Transformers.

[stephenshenenigan]

You should get sponsored by Stabilo. Your hand drawn schematics are fantastic!

[nanosyberww]

He’s turning into Mehdi with these projects 😂😂

[Calthecool]

Yeah, I would never buy a single one of those off Amazon.
I would buy the 3 pack so I have extras.

[LiveSeruio]

I personally like does little pulse high voltage modules because you can blow tiny holes in paper or leafs and they are pretty loud if you pull contacts far enough so they make a great house alarm

[gianluca]

YEEEES!! I HAVE ONE OF THIS TRANSFORMERS LAYING AROUND. PERFECT TIMING!

[RoyalTech_]

Hi Great Scott, good video.
Yes you said it with high frequencies we don't get shock but burns the skin. This is the technology used in surgical diathermy machines used in all kinds of surgeries in operation theatres. They used to cut, coagulate and do other porcedures on human body. Used in almost all surgeries like gynaec, general, eye, skin, uro, etc...

[E-BikingAdventures]

That transformer is not wound at a ratio of 1:3750. It's somewhere around 1:100 - 1:200. It uses inductive spiking on the primary to 'boost' the voltage. Do you not recognise a boost or joule thief circuit when you see one?

[ANANTHASANKAR_UA]

Im Assistant Professor in Electronics from india. All of your videos are excellent and very informative👌👌👌 Everything is well explained with schematics & design. I really appreciate your hardwork, patience & dedication behind every video ⚡

[vylbird]

I got one of those devices years ago. Clearly the same thing, but mine was promoted as a component for oil-fueled boilers - the ignition spark generator.

[PatienceDepleted]

I like that he said it will hurt WHEN you touch the high voltage output. There is no "if".

[v]

I have to thank you for making this all about safety. Its a thing that is underrated when it comes to electronics, even small power electronics that dont produce much voltage and amperage. It is appreciated, from a hobby/bedroom electrical engineer.

[m.luthfi.alhadi]

In some country, that first HV generator is used for making stun gun/taser and it is sold everywhere.
I have one of it to make my own taser for self-defense. Because in my place, robber sometimes kills the vicitm.

sorry for my bad english