Ok, if each capacitor is in parallel with a suitable diode (conveniently like a voltage multiplier circuit is) what is a sensible rating for the resistor if...
The final voltage is 2kV and the capacitor bank is 100uF - I understand this gives me 200Joules
Asserting that 1Watt = 1Joule per second then a 1 second discharge time would require a 200W resistor
Since W=V*I, this yields I=0.1Amp
With V=I*R I get R = 20kOhm
This sounds a bit high to still need a 200W resistor what sort of resistor and discharge period should I be aiming for?