I bought this from Banggood, but it's quite a common device on eBay if you search for USB plasma ball. Once you see that it radiates a very high voltage gradient at high frequency you may choose not to plug it into, or place it near anything expensive....
It's really nice to see that the circuitry inside has not changed from the original units from many decades ago. If anything the components have improved, making the unit more efficient.
If you like high voltage electronics and plasma then this thing is worth buying just for the PCB inside. It's very hard to wind reliable high voltage, high frequency transformers like the one used here, so it's worth every penny just for that little flyback transformer.
Note that it's best not to use the circuit without a load on the transformer to protect it against excessive open circuit voltage.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and high voltage devices for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
It's really nice to see that the circuitry inside has not changed from the original units from many decades ago. If anything the components have improved, making the unit more efficient.
If you like high voltage electronics and plasma then this thing is worth buying just for the PCB inside. It's very hard to wind reliable high voltage, high frequency transformers like the one used here, so it's worth every penny just for that little flyback transformer.
Note that it's best not to use the circuit without a load on the transformer to protect it against excessive open circuit voltage.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and high voltage devices for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
Hey got random question i hate to ask ya but let me shoot it at ya as i know no one else understands it as good as you do. I got one these usb versions, for about 2 weeks worked as expected. Fine, thin and strong plasma beams, 2 weeks later turns to more of a haze beam. So, they went to like a fat hazey beam even when touched. Just seems weak compared to as expected. When I first turn it on after been unplugged about a day or so starts as normal beams then after about 2 mins it turns to the haze. Any ideas or opinions? I'd like to fix it if a man could, not alot $ to replace but I like to DIY fix stuff plus helps me learn as well. I just not sure how to go about this thing or if it's even possible to fix but worth a shot right? Thanks in adv. if you reply at all. Take care and happy tinkering.
Sooo. It is a high voltage Jule thief.😊
Awesome! I remember wrapping mine in tinfoil to get the sparks out and you could actually draw on it on the outside and burn paper with a paper clip. It was like magic, my favorite toy for a while 🙂
I dropped and broke my globe completely.. can I buy another one and put the globe back into the stand? The stand belonged to someone very special I don't want to lose it I'm so heartbroken I broke it
Plasma globes run at around 30-50kHz depending on the globe.
I made one myself with a potentiometer to vary rhe frequency from 5kHz-60kHz.
I have this EXACT ball too. It's working good and definetely worth the money. I bought it for only €13,99.
I have one the older ones that you say out-gased (it no longer puts on a show) – electrostorm ball model: 47528. Do you or anyone here know where I can get a replacement bulb or safely use it as a tiny tesla coil?
❤😂
Good oldie Clive
Thanks for doing this one Clive. I've been making custom housings for exactly these plasma globes for a few years now. I've not touched the electronics just stripped off the black plastic shell and replaced with my own. It's good to have a little more understanding as I hope to be a bit more experimental shortly with the same globes but different casing materials. In some ways it was quite fun listening to your assumptions on the internals when I knew what was inside
don`t give up your night job, anytime soon, you know zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Where can I find this ac adapter?
Model: YH-UA-1210
Input: AC 120V 60Hz 130mA
Output:AC 12v, 830mA Max 10W
YUHAI ELECTRONIC (NANHAI) CO, LTD
Made in China
My 8" ball has died, HELP!
Looking into plasma balls for a prop, i stumbled upon these "usb' globes. Thanks for answering the "can i pull this thing apart without breaking it ?' ! This is going to be great! <3
How about a plasma disc? As used in Seven of Nine's Borg regeneration alcove (Star Trek – Voyager). Those things look decidedly more ferocious than a plasma ball!
And you used a semiconductor called a buzz 80 but was known to blow up
I have this exact model that I'm trying to build into a steampunk backpack, I need to extend the wire going up into the globe. I'm having some trouble, I'm occasionally able to get it to work but it seems almost random. Can you offer any suggestions?