Crooks Railway Tube HV Power Supply ?

[Richard Arndt]

This is not a Nixie Tube related subject, but someone here probably knows enough about tubes to answer the question.

I purchase an old Crooks Railway Tube some years ago, with electrode plates about 8 inches apart.  I am wanting to try it out and was thinking a Fisher Biotech FB-650 Electrophoresis DC Power Supply capable of 0-6kv might light it up.  It would also be useful on the bench for testing other HV items (with caution :-).  I have seen references up to 100kv on Internet.  But nothing stating required DC voltage/current range.

Does anyone have suggestions on what should work?

[martin martin]

That's pretty cool.  I have an old neon sign transformer.  I think it's 6 kv.  Are you in CA?  I'll drop it off.

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[Richard Arndt]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the offer !

I have a 10kv Neon Transformer I use for a Jacobs ladder.  I have not hooked it up to the tube, since I don't know what could harm it. Neon Transformers are also AC, not DC.  It might light it up, but I don't think the Railway Vane would move.

Rich

On Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 9:25:51 AM UTC-4, martin martin wrote:

That's pretty cool.  I have an old neon sign transformer.  I think it's 6 kv.  Are you in CA?  I'll drop it off.

On Thu, Apr 4, 2019 at 6:21 AM Richard Arndt <vol...@gmail.com> wrote:

This is not a Nixie Tube related subject, but someone here probably knows enough about tubes to answer the question.

I purchase an old Crooks Railway Tube some years ago, with electrode plates about 8 inches apart.  I am wanting to try it out and was thinking a Fisher Biotech FB-650 Electrophoresis DC Power Supply capable of 0-6kv might light it up.  It would also be useful on the bench for testing other HV items (with caution :-).  I have seen references up to 100kv on Internet.  But nothing stating required DC voltage/current range.

Does anyone have suggestions on what should work?

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[martin martin]

True.  You will also have to find some high voltage diodes at a surplus store.  Might be worth a bit more investigation..

m

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[Nick]

These need DC at a couple of thousand volts - I've seen them run of much higher voltages via an induction coil, e.g. a Ruhmkorff coil which can produce 10KV & a lot higher (over 100KV)

I think a Royer oscillator driving a LOPT or similar with an HV diode should do the trick.

They are still being made - there are Chinese ones about for about 20 bucks or so.

[Mac Doktor]

On Apr 4, 2019, at 9:59 AM, Nick <gerbilp...@gmail.com> wrote:

These need DC at a couple of thousand volts - I've seen them run of much higher voltages via an induction coil, e.g. a Ruhmkorff coil which can produce 10KV & a lot higher (over 100KV)

I power mine with one of these:

https://www.sci-supply.com/High-Voltage-Power-Supply-Induction-Coil-25KV-p/ss3148-25.htm

Crank up the voltage just high enough to get the paddle wheel to move. This reduces wear on the cathodes and there's no point in generating unwanted X-rays. Reversing the polarity makes the paddle wheel change direction. 

Here's a magnetic deflection tube in action on my blog:

https://www.astarcloseup.com/2011/08/crookes-tube-first-test.html

Ignore the huge DC power supply in the pictures. I used it briefly until I bought some D battery holders.

Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"

Q: Should car stereo speakers be pointed to the rear for more thrust or up for more traction?

A. On long trips, the 20- to 30% improvement in gas mileage you might get with speakers pointing to the rear is certainly worthwhile. On the other hand, if you drive on snow or ice, the extra traction of speakers pointing upward gives you added control.

Don Lancaster

[Richard Arndt]

Thanks Terry, and everyone else for your responses.  

Looks like the Fisher Biotech FB-650 Electrophoresis Supply will do the trick... 0-6kv, 0-350ma adjustable.  I've found one for under $100.

Rich

K4REA :-)