Plasma Speakers

Finished the build!

Added in ports, did some more wiring, and made a second amp for the 555 signal.

Time Spent: 3 Hours

Added in adjustment pots, did some more wiring to the 555s, etc.

Got to work building Rev. 2, since this has to work for outpost. My wiring is a little cleaner this time and also I have the 555 timer wired differently so it should work.

Time Spent: 2 Hours

I did like the whole thing and finished it. But basically the 555 timers aren’t oscillating right, and the signal from RCA jacks is going straight to FETs.
And it kinda worked. like, I heard music play through magnetic restriction of the transformer core lol, but not plasma.

Time Spent: 6 Hours

Started off with logic PSU and basic signals from the RCA jacks w/ the transistor amps.

First, I decided what the project’s scope was going to look like.
High-powered transformers are usually driven through Zero-Voltage Switching or ZVS. However, when you want to adjust frequency and duty cycle, or if you just want to make a cheaper driver, you can use a 555 oscillator as the core.
However, this is more inefficient and creates more heat. However, it’s what I went with because it is easier to modulate frequency of the arc based on audio signals.

First, I made the ‘power supply’ for the logic components. Some people limit the primary voltage to the max the interrupter can handle, which is 16V. However, I wanted to drive my transformers at 24V. This meant I had to make my own mini regulator for 12V so that the logic components wouldn’t get fried.

After that, I made a 555 timer based oscillator that took in input from an RCA jack.

I then put it all together and assigned footprints.

I imported the footprints in, organized it, and routed it. This was kinda a pain due to high currents through thick traces while also routing delicate signals.

After that I made the BOM, and found the other non PCB parts. I think it’ll be cool and I’m like pretty sure it’s going to work.

I’ll then polish the repo and submit.

Time Spent: 7 Hours