High Voltage Indicator??

I need a circuit to tell me when my capacitors are charged to around 200V or 400V, am i correct in thinking i can use a potential divider with high value resistors and a neon bulb, the resistor values chosen to give a voltage of 70-95V(i think this is the strike voltage for most neon bulbs)

what kind of current do neons pull?, i wanted to use high value resistors to keep the current flow from the capacitors to a minimum.

are there any other possible indicators other than neons, perhaps LED's??

Thanks.

Neons are very low current, as you say select the potential divider so it lights the neon when you wish - bear in mind that the neon WILL load the top resisor more and the voltage across the neon will fall, but it should still be OK, as the running voltage is lower than the strike voltage.

You will probably have to experiment to find which values work the best!.

Thanks for the reply Nigel

I will source a few neons and experiment a little.

Are there any other options???

ZIGGY_DAN said:

Are there any other options???

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Using a potential divider feeding a comparator?, plenty of options - but a neon is probably the simpliest one? (and is usually used in camera flash guns!).

Nigel Goodwin said:

(and is usually used in camera flash guns!).

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What a coincidence, this is what i am using my capacitors for and this why i need to know when they are charged, i think i will go for a neon.

Thanks Nilgel