| MadSci Network: Engineering |
Hi Andrew!
Hooking up transformers in a chain like that will work
in theory. But if you try it with most transformers,
the output voltage gets smaller instead of larger.
The problem is that the wire in the high voltage
secondary coil is too thin.
There is a way that you can
use two transformers to DOUBLE the output voltage.
Hook one secondary terminal from each transformer
to the other and to ground. Now use the remaining
two terminals for your output (one terminal from
each transformer.) Connect things up, and if the
output voltage is zero, then flip the polarity
of just one of the primary coil connections.
This is called a "center grounded" transformer
output.
It's possible to power a HV transformer using batteries and a couple of transistors. The circuit is called an "inverter" or "AC chopper." There are links to plenty of these on the page below, because they are the main component of small Tesla Coils. In addition they are fairly safe, since the high frequency AC won't electrocute you like 60HZ AC from a wall outlet could.
"Plasma globe" power suppliesAlso search the web for articles about building "solid state tesla coil". They use a similar circuit.
http://www.amasci.com/tesla/plasplan.html
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Engineering.