Marx Generator 1.0 Kit

Product Description

Note:  The latest version of our Marx 1.0 PCBs are green in color, not black as shown in the video.

Video courtesy of our customer, Alex1M6 on Youtube.

Please let me introduce one of most exciting kits available - the Marx Generator 1.0 Kit. Nowhere else in the world today will you find a complete Marx Generator kit available for the amateur. As you may recall, a Marx Generator is a multi-stage voltage multiplication device in which each stage capacitor's are charged in parallel, and then with the aid of carefully spaced spark gaps, the entire stack of capacitors is discharged in series creating a very intense, ultrafast rise-time high voltage pulse. This the type of technology that is used to simulate real lightning and Marx Generators the size of 10 story buildings have been design and used to test lightning on aircraft, instruments, and other industrial products. Now you can build your own Marx Generator in the comfort of your house.

The Marx Generator 1.0 is a 12-stage device and has a 6kV capacitor for each stage. Therefore, with a 6kV charging voltage, the theoretical maximum high voltage output pulse would be 72kV! It can produce output arcs of approximately 1-2" depending on input voltage, spark gap spacing and tuning, and atmospheric conditions. This kit comes with all capacitors, charge resistors, series limiting resistor, as well as right angle mounting brackets so that it may be mounted vertically. The PCB itself is made from 0.062" thick FR-4 and has internal cut-outs so that each spark gap can be seen during operation.

Please note that this is an advanced development kit that is designed for amateurs that have at least some knowledge of Marx Generators and how they work. The kit does require careful spacing and tuning of each single spark gap for reliable operation.

The input to the Marx Generator must be a high voltage source of at least 1kV and not more than 6kV. If you do not have a charge source available, we recommend purchasing the combined High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS2) / Marx Generator kit below or adding our HVPS2 power supply.

Features:

• 12 Parallel stages
• 6kV per stage maximum voltage
• Maximum theoretical voltage - 72kV
• Produces 1-2" of output arc depending on input source, spark gap tuning, and atmospheric conditions
• 0.062" thick FR-4 PCB board (green)
• Mounting brackets included for vertical mounting

Purchasing Options:

• Board Kit - Includes on a bareboard PCB board
• Complete Kit - Includes PCB board and components and mounting brackets
• Deluxe Kit - Includes Marx 1.0 Complete kit and High Voltage Power supply (HVPS2)