Now I will tell you how to make an “Ionophone” or as it is also called “singing arc” with your own hands. Actually, from the names you can already guess that the ionophone is a source of sound. The sound in this device comes from a burning arc, the timbre of the sound changes with a change in the frequency of voltage generation. In the 50s of the last century, these devices found practical application, but now there are many more effective alternatives to this device and they have forgotten about it, and we can only collect it as a toy for interesting experiments.
Well, let's start with the diagram.
The basis of this circuit is the NE555 integrated timer, familiar to many (bought for 10 rubles). In our circuit, it serves as a generator of rectangular pulses, which are converted by a field-effect transistor (MOSFET), I used IRFS630, it is advisable to use field switches for a high current (drain-source) of the order of 100A in In this case, you can achieve a better effect. IRL3803 is perfect. Here is the pinout for the first transistor.
Now let's move on to the actual assembly. Here is the entire set of parts we need:
Let's start with the line assembly (hereinafter referred to as FA), you need to get FA without multipliers and regulators.
FA from old b.w.TV will be the best option, the larger the high-voltage winding, the greater the effect and volume. This is the one I used, probably the worst option.
We wind the primary winding with a thick wire of 1-2 mm, 10 turns. This way.
Now all that remains is to solder the radio components, an arc should appear immediately after assembly, if there is no arc, then try twisting R4 or check the correct assembly, if there is no sound, try connecting the audio input in series through a 100 pF capacitor.
The transistor must also be installed on a large radiator and, if possible, a fan installed.
I soldered everything with surface-mounted mounting and this is what happened in the end
The result was a simple, uncomplicated, but quite interesting device.
In addition to the fact that this device was conceived as an ionophone, it can be used to power homemade plasma balls, it can also serve as a converter for powering an LD, and simply for launching arcs. You can also connect a high-voltage multiplier and get a spark discharge of about 3-4 cm (the multiplier is dangerous to life!)
Now it’s worth touching on safety precautions. The output of the transformer is very high voltage. There may not be a fatal injury, but you will certainly receive a noticeable electric shock and a significant burn, so you should not experiment. The arc also has a high temperature and can cause a fire.
Good luck to those wishing to repeat!
P.S. Demonstration video:
