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    Serving Middle TN for over 20 yrs.

    N2 TEA Laser Build – Part 4: Circuit & Safety Wiring

    Circuit & Safety Wiring. The most critical step now is the wiring. We need to complete the Blumlein circuit and, most importantly, prepare the wiring for the Safety that makes this kit more suitable for classrooms, etc… Triple-Threat Safety Imperative: READ THIS FIRSTTHIS PROJECT INVOLVES THREE DISTINCT LETHAL/HARMFUL HAZARDS. DO NOT ATTEMPT REPLICATION WITHOUT ADVANCED HIGH-VOLTAGE EXPERIENCE AND PROPER VENTILATION.1.  Lethal High Voltage: The  circuit is lethal. NEVER touch the circuit when power is applied. All components must be contained within a grounded, non-conductive enclosure with safety interlocks before operation.2.  Harmful UV Radiation: The laser emits deep ultraviolet () light (around ). This radiation is invisible, damaging to the retina, and can cause skin burns. NEVER look into the beam or at the spark without certified UV-blocking eye protection.3.  Toxic Ozone Production: The high-energy discharge generates ozone () gas (a toxic air pollutant). Operation must be limited to short bursts and always performed in a well-ventilated area or under forced exhaust. Classroom Use: Replication in any educational setting requires direct, professional supervision and a fully interlocked safety enclosure system.

    N2 TEA Laser Build – Part 2: The 10 kV Concept

    N2 TEA Laser Build – Part 2: The 10 kV Concept – Okay, I’m ready to pull back the curtain! I’m building a Nitrogen (N2) TEA (Transversely Excited Atmospheric) Laser. This is a high-performance physics experiment that relies on a single principle: speed. We use 10,000V to create an electrical pulse so fast it tricks the nitrogen gas (present in the open air, in this case) into emitting an invisible UV laser beam.. More here: https://techbravo.net/n2-tea-laser-build-part-2-the-10-kv-concept/

    N2 TEA Laser Build – Part 1: What Is That?

    The workbench is getting weird this week. (Yes, that’s my Thunder Laser engraver, I know, I know—it’s not supposed to be a workbench! 😅) This is the first in a series of posts where I break down the science and build a ‘Trophy-Worthy’ high-voltage device. I’ve got steel, copper, aluminum, magnets, switches, some wiring, etc..—but I’m actually building something that combines advanced physics, high-voltage power (10,000 V), and lasers! The goal is to harness the fastest electrical pulse a human can create in the lab to generate a powerful ultraviolet beam. This thing is cool and you will either walk out of school with a science trophy in your hand, or in handcuffs, depending on what day you bring it in 🤪… so always check with your school or organization before taking a science project like this to school, etc…! STAY TUNED!!! #PhysicsFun #HighVoltage #DIYElectronics #Lasers #PulsedPower #WhatsThis  

    The Flamethrower

    Intro Okay so this isn’t actually laser related (though I could add a red dot pointer to it i suppose!) but it involves high voltage, fire, and more… so the boys and I are going to build a flamethrower. We will go over legalities and use cases as well as best practices of design, build, and use with an emphasis on safety and risk management. I looked at many similar devices, both commercially available and DIY, as well as data on the military equipment. I opted for the fuel pump over having a pressurized tank of ‘gas’ strapped to my back. Those high pressure systems require careful engineering and design to be safe. The system I’m building uses gravity to get the fuel to the pump and it’s only pressurized from the pump outlet to the nozzle. Additionally I will likely have normally closed solenoids both immediately after the fuel tank outlet as well as immediately before the nozzle. If this fuel pump type device goes well, I may try a pressurized tank system in the future… Parts List This will be function over form and likely a crude build initially so bare-bones as far parts go. Here is the parts list so far: External Universal Inline Electric Fuel Pump 12vDC 60KV High Voltage Generator Module Ceramic Electrode Ignition Plug Auxiliary Fuel Tank (1L with Vent) Mini Momentary Push Button Switch 6-6000 Brass Sprayer Cone Nozzle 1/8″ Brass Mini Ball Valve 1/8″ NPT Brass Nipple 2″ Length 1/8 NPT to Male Metric M12 x 1.5mm Adapter Rechargeable 12V 3250mAh Battery Pack 1/8″ Solenoid Valve Normally Closed (2) Various Wire Ties Various Adhesives Various fuse holders, connectors, ferrules, etc… 16AWG stranded 100% copper power wire Various Tools Various Fire Suppression Equipment Various PPE for High-Voltage, flash burns, eye protection, etc… and more Proof of Concept Here is a short video of the main components temporarily fabricated and having power applied for 10 seconds or less to test and get proof of concept: Okay so this first build is just a test fixture so I can test and debug, the final version may or may not be housed inside a hard case, briefcase, etc…  

    The First Jacob’s Ladder

    I have completed my first Jacob’s Ladder. You can click the image to the left to see a high resolution picture in a new window. I made this unit from a 6kV 30mA non-current limited transformer from an old neon beer sign. The arc ionizes the air and creates plasma. The hot plasma rises and the arc follows it as plasma conducts electricity better than air. When the spark gap at the top of the antennae breaks the arc it starts all over again. THIS IS NOT A TOY. IT CAN KILL YOU. You can see a video of it in operation below! I sold this unit to a punk rock group for use as a prop for their live shows. The group is out of Las Vegas and is made up of seven girls. They call themselves The Deadly Seven. They are very remarkable and you can google them to find out more about them. They wanted me to make them an air cannon to shoot pig blood and body parts into the crowd. I declined that project…for now.  

    The Second Jacob’s Ladder

    A DC laser power supply would not be ideal for a tesla coil, but… I am going to make a bigger Jacob’s Ladder out of it. And, yes… I have zapped myself once already… like a dummy… I’ve had all sorts of anomalies with HV but never really tried to capture it.     Okay, so what in the high-voltage, spiraling Sam Hill is going on here? No worries — I’ll fill you in as I go along. More to follow!