voltage tripler

Ive just built a voltage tripler using a schematic from a magazine. Its used to
run small fluro tubes (<15W) without a ballast. Its works great but I cant figure out what its actually doing. Can anyone give an explaination of what happens on the first few cycles after power up?
Thanks.[/img]

Why not try google before asking questions?, there's plenty of information out there - here's what is top of the hits http://www.kronjaeger.com/hv/hv/src/mul/. It's actually called a "Walton and Cockcroft Multiplier".

After switching on, the multiplier give high enough voltage via 560k to FL-tube to firing. Anyway, IS there a ballast, just capacitive. So after firing the current flow via 2,2micro X2 cap and FL-tube.In this case on tube only about 60-70V.

leogc said:

Ive just built a voltage tripler using a schematic from a magazine. Its used to
run small fluro tubes (<15W) without a ballast. Its works great but I cant figure out what its actually doing. Can anyone give an explaination of what happens on the first few cycles after power up?
Thanks.[/img]

Click to expand...

For those who are too lazy to web surf..


On positive half cycle of V1, C1 gets charged to V1 through D1.
On negative half cycle of V1, C2 gets charged to V1+VC1 through D2
since VC1 = V1, C2 gets charged to 2*V1.

On next positive half cycle of V1, C3 gets charged to V1+VC2 through D3.
since VC2 = 2*V1, VC3 = V1+ VC2 = 3*V1. Hence the common name voltage tripler.

Clear as mud? :lol: