Variable Voltage Capacitor Charger
In one of my many discussions with Sam, we both discovered that the output voltage possible with a given transformer varies substantially with the frequency of the input signal. This means that one can build a variable voltage capacitor chargers by varying not the input voltage but the frequency of the charging pulses. As an example, a transformer with a 300:1 turn ratio with 1.5V pulsing on the primary will not always putout …
Flash Tests, Part 2 (Freezing the Motion of a Bee Wing)
In my previous post, I described the results of my first disposable camera flash tests, and their implications based on the speed and size of a bee’s wing. I decided to take the plunge and test some really expensive capacitors, to see if they really make a difference or not. There is a limit to how much I’ll be willing to do to shorten flash duration—pulse shaping with inductors may be possible, …