input to transformer

[johnsonjp34]

Greetings All,

I'm trying to build a voltage multiplier that is fed by a audio output transformer (273-1380). My source is a 9 V battery. My question is how do I convert the DC to AC so that it will work in the transformer? Can I make a square wave generator out of something like a 555 to feed the transformer or something like a lm358 or some other op amp? I don't quite understand what an op amp does in inverting mode. Is the output on an inverting op amp a form of AC?

Thanks,

JJ

 

[Reloadron]

Yes, there are several popular circuits out there using a 555 to drive that transformer. You drive the 8 Ohm side (secondary) and get your output off the primary side. About all you will manage to do is ionize a NE2 lamp but it does work. What exactly are you trying to do?

Ron

 

[johnsonjp34]

I've got some gieger tubes so I'm trying to build a gieger counter. Ionizing is exactly what I want. I'll look around for some 555 plans. Anyone have any that they recommend?

 

[Reloadron]

This link shows a simple neon lamp power source. However, as I mentioned it really does not provide any current to speak of. About all it does is get a NE2 bulb to glow. To get it right this would go much, much better if you could define the voltage and current you need?

Ron

 

[johnsonjp34]

These are the stats on the tube:

Working Voltage 380-460V

Working Current 0.015-0.02 mA

I have a bunch of 0.033 uf 200v capacitors and 200v fast recovery diodes sitting around for the voltage multiplier.

Thanks,

JJ

 

[audioguru]

420V at 18mA is 7.56W.
A little 555 can produce only about 1.2W.
The transformer produces a voltage and current much too low.
A voltage multiplier will reduce the output current even more.

 

[carbonzit]

A little 555 can produce only about 1.2W

It can certainly "produce" more than that when used in conjunction with an output transistor.

 

[Gary B]

He called out .02 ma, that is 20 micro amps!

 

[audioguru]

If the gieger tube uses only 20uA then a transformer with a higher stepup ratio and better insulation will produce the higher voltage from a 555.
Maybe the transformer from an old camera's flash circuit.