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Introducing the Bulb Buster®! - Experimental version. You have a broken microwave laying around? You have tons of Microwave Oven Transformers waiting to be used? You don't know what to do with all those burnt out incandescent lamps? Here is how to combine all that stuff into a cool lamp destroyer! It's simple, just connect a lamp socket to the secondary of a MOT, then connect the primary to 120V, in series with a resistive device (light bulb, heating element) that will act as a current limiter to prevent the MOT from both burning itself and blowing the bulb Keywords: Miscellaneous

Introducing the Bulb Buster®! - Experimental version.

You have a broken microwave laying around? You have tons of Microwave Oven Transformers waiting to be used?
You don't know what to do with all those burnt out incandescent lamps?

Here is how to combine all that stuff into a cool lamp destroyer! It's simple, just connect a lamp socket to the secondary of a MOT, then connect the primary to 120V, in series with a resistive device (light bulb, heating element) that will act as a current limiter to prevent the MOT from both burning itself and blowing the bulb

IMG_1260_Processed.jpg HPIM0111.JPG 100_0934.jpg 064.JPG 060.JPG
File information
Filename:100_0934.jpg
Album name:Vince / Miscellaneous
Keywords:Miscellaneous
Filesize:382 KiB
Date added:Jan 27, 2011
Dimensions:2592 x 1944 pixels
Displayed:141 times
Color Space:sRGB
Contrast:0
DateTime Original:2011:01:27 16:28:31
Exposure Bias:0 EV
Exposure Mode:0
Exposure Program:Unknown: 0
Exposure Time:1/40 sec
FNumber:f/3.2
Flash:No Flash
Focal length:13.2 mm
ISO:188
Light Source:Unknown: 0
Make:Eastman Kodak Company
Max Aperture:f/4
Model:KODAK Z812 IS ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA
URL:http://www.galleryoflights.org/mb/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=4871
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Comment 1 to 11 of 11
Page: 1

TiCoune66   [Jan 27, 2011 at 10:47 PM]
When I get an old microwave it will be converted into the final version of the Bulb Buster! It features a shatter-resistant door, a ventilated transformer and current-limiter and a switch that automatically kills power to the MOT when the door is open!

The Bulb Buster will probably be suitable for small fluorescents as well.
Form109   [Jan 27, 2011 at 10:57 PM]
i've done stuff like this....try christmas tree lamp and watch it melt. Razz
TiCoune66   [Jan 27, 2011 at 11:03 PM]
Nope, it doesn't work with christmas tree bulb, I tried with the C9 ones and nothing happens... That's because they are not gas-filled, they have a vacuum instead.

As long as the bulb is gas-filled, it works Wink
Form109   [Jan 27, 2011 at 11:14 PM]
well i Tried a christmas tree lamp....i forgot what you call the very small ones but it did arc...and the bulb melted. Smile
GullWhiz   [Jan 28, 2011 at 01:19 AM]
Just don't kill yourselves...I'll cry if any of you died!
TiCoune66   [Jan 28, 2011 at 01:22 AM]
Don't worry bud, I won't. ^__^

By the time my Bulb Buster is completed, there won't be any exposed parts on HV, so it'll be 100% safe. For now I'm just super-careful. Wink
rjluna2   [Jan 28, 2011 at 01:31 AM]
You are really bored Surprised
joe_347V   [Jan 28, 2011 at 04:18 AM]
Hmm I tried that with my NST before too, I hooked it up to that spent Silver Bowl I had lying around and watched the light show, Very Happy
gailgrove   [Jan 28, 2011 at 03:51 PM]
Alright, I dare you to try a 50 watt MH lamp Laughing
TiCoune66   [Jan 28, 2011 at 07:30 PM]
I don't have one LOL.
MercuryVapor175   [Jun 10, 2012 at 12:57 AM]
@ gailgrove: 50w MH needs a 4.5KV pulse for breakdown, while MOT's only put out ~2.5kv.

I've also first smashed out the glass envelope of a flashlight bulb, then apply 12KV from a flyback to pop the filament.
Another way to blow out bulbs: I use a argon thyratron, connect to a vented bulb, overvolted, then trigger grid of thyratron tube to blow the filament. In one case, the (headlight) bulb was so tough it pulled enough current to make the thyratron plate glow red hot. Rolling Eyes The bulb did pop, and the tube survived.

Comment 1 to 11 of 11
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