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Ignition Coil High Voltage Display

by LargeMouthBass on June 27, 2011

Table of Contents
Ignition Coil High Voltage Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intro: Ignition Coil High Voltage Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: Coil Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: Driver Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: Overdriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 5: Coil Damage Due to Overvoltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 6: Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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Intro: Ignition Coil High Voltage Display

A common automotive ignition coil can generate an output voltage on the order of 30,000 volts. This is a sufficient voltage to produce arcs which jump an air gap of an
inch or more. Driven properly they can also be used to create a Jacobs Ladder display
Ignition coils are inexpensive and readily available, and constructing a circuit to drive the coil is straightforward.
This article provides an overview of ignition coil operation, as well as a drive circuit design and system capable of driving the coil to produce arcs for your entertainment
and experimentation.
Of couse, as with any high voltage project, safety warnings are in order. Excecise caution and good sense when working with high voltage. Remove power
from the system before making adjustements.
Don't touch the arcs. Be mindful that the potentials generated can jump a significant gap, and that insulation on tools like regular pliers may be inadequate
to prevent you from getting a shock.
Keep in mind that some parts of the system can get hot. The arcs can be hot enough to to ignite paper and plastic, so operate it in a safe location.
High voltage discharges generate Ozone gas, which can cause irritation if breathed in. High voltage discharges also generate some ultraviolet radiation, so
limit your exposure and don't stare directly at the arcs.
First, enjoy some video!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ignition-Coil-High-Voltage-Display/

Step 1: Details
An ignition coil produces a high voltage output on its secondary when the current flowing in the primary winding is interrupted. The first step in generating a high voltage
from an ignition coil is to store energy in the inductance of the primary winding. That energy is then released, generating the high voltage output.
Energy is stored in the primary of the coil when current is flowing through it. This energy is provided by a DC power supply, usually the 12 volt battery of a vehicles
electrical system.
The primary circuit is driven by closing a switch to ground, which allows current to flow from the power supply through the primary. When the switch is initially closed, the
current in the coil remains zero, as the inductance of the primary does not allow the current to change instantaneously. The current in the primary then increases
exponentially until it reaches its steady state value.
The steady state current is the maximum value the current will have. It is determined by the voltage of the power supply and the total series resistance of the primary
circuit.
The steady state current in the primary is determined by:
I_steady_state = V_source/R_primary
Rprimary consists of the total resistance of the wire in the primary coil, as well as the resistance of the wires and other connections in the primary circuit.
The length of time needed for the current in the primary to reach its steady state value is determined by the time constant. The time constant is a parameter which is
equal to the primary inductance (in Henries) divided by the primary resistance (in ohms), and so it has the units of seconds. In equations it is commonly represented with
the Greek letter tau. A smaller time constant means that the current will increase more quickly.
The equation for the current in the inductor is:
i(t)=I_steady_state*(1-e^(-t/time_constant)
The graph shows how the current in the coil increases after the switch is closed. The graph expresses the current as the percentage of steady state value. Note that after
4 time constants have passed, the current is at about 98% of its steady state value, and the after 5 time constants, the current is at more than 99% of its steady state
value.
The relevant equations for the primary circuit are summarized in a chart below.
Energy in the Primary Winding
The energy stored in an inductor is a function of its inductance and the current flowing through it. The equation for the energy stored in an inductor is:
Energy= * L * I^2.
Refer again to the graph that shows the current and energy in the primary coil versus the time elapsed. Note that the longer the switch is closed, the less additional
energy is stored in the primary inductance. After the first time constant, the energy stored is 38% of the maximum. After two time constants have elapsed, the total energy
stored is 73%. After three time constants, the total energy stored is 90%. After four time constants, the total energy is 96%, and so on. After five time constants, the
energy stored is essentially at 100% of the maximum possible value for the power supply voltage and primary resistance in the circuit.
Once the primary current has reached its steady state value, no additional energy can be stored in the primary of the coil. If the switch remains closed after this point, the
energy from the source will simply be dissipated as heat in the resistance of the primary circuit. It therefore makes no sense to keep the switch closed longer than 4 or 5
time constants, as past that point the energy will simply be wasted.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ignition-Coil-High-Voltage-Display/

Step 2: Coil Connections

A typical ignition coil has three terminals.
The first connection is one lead of the primary coil winding, and it gets connected to the power supply (typically the 12 volt battery in a car). This lead will usually be
marked with a +.
The second connection is common between the primary and secondary. The other lead of the primary winding and one lead of the secondary winding are connected to
this terminal. This is the point that is connected to ground when the switch closes. It will usually be marked with a -.
The third terminal is the high voltage output terminal. It is located in the center of the coil, surrounded by a plastic shroud. Inside the shroud, the terminal looks like a
metal cup with an inner diameter of about 5/16. Refer to the picture below to see the actual terminals. The center high voltage terminal is usually connected via a special
cable to the distributor when used in its normal application.
Refer to the pictures below showing the coil connections.
Arcs are drawn from the high voltage terminal and the common - terminal.
The connection to the high voltage terminal is made via a custom piece. It consists of a piece of 1 diameter nylon rod. One end of the rod is machined out to fit over the
shroud on the high voltage connector. The other end of the rod has a hole drilled in it to allow a 8-32 threaded standoff to be tightly pressed into place. An 8-32 screw is
threaded into one end of the standoff to make the connection to the HV contact within the shroud. The other end of the standoff allows an easy connection to the HV
terminal. The pictures below show the details.

Image Notes
1. - terminal. Connects to power supply directly, or through a resistor depending
on the coil.
2. - connection. Connects to ground through the switch. This connection is
common between the primary and secondary windings.
3. High Voltage output terminal. This connection is surrounded by a shroud to help
prevent arcing to the other terminals.

Image Notes
1. The HV connection is within the shroud.
2. Top view of coil, looking down into the HV terminal.

Step 3: Driver Circuit

In normal automotive use the current in the primary is interrupted at the appropriate time to generate a spark at the spark plug to ignite the fuel-air mixture in a cars
engine. In old cars the current is interrupted by a mechanical switch called the points, which are opened and closed by a cam on a shaft that rotates when the engine is
running. In newer implementations a sensor sends a signal to an electronic module to cause a semiconductor switch in the module to open and generate the spark at the
proper time.
All that is needed to use the coil to generate arcs for experimentation and display is a circuit that turns a switch on and off to interrupt the primary current of the ignition
coil. Concerns such as adjustments to the timing to ignite the fuel in cylinder at the proper time do not apply for a display application.
The diagram below shows the basic blocks of a system used to generate acrs using an ignition coil. The general drive circuit consists of a pulse generator that turns a
semiconductor switch (a transistor, FET, or in the circuit presented later, an IGBT) on and off at a desired rate. The power supply can be any battery or DC power supply
of an appropriate voltage, capable of supplying enough current.
The function of each section of the system is described in detail next. Refer also to the detailed schematic.
+5V Regulated Supply
A LM7805 regulator, VR1, provides the +5V regulated voltage for the pulse generator circuitry. Diode D1 in series with the input to the regulator is used to to prevent
damage if the power source is connected backwards. There are electrolytic and ceramic capacitors (C1, C2, C3, and C4) on both the input to and output from the
regulator for filtering.
Pulse Generator
As described earlier, energy is wasted if the switch remains on past the time the steady state primary coil current is reached, so the pulse generator circuit must be
designed and adjusted with this in mind. Again, the time constant of the primary circuit will determine how long it takes for the primary current to reach its steady state.

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The inductance and resistance of the primary will vary between different coils, so the maximum on time of the switch will need some adjustment depending on the
characteristics of the coil you are using. Some coils are intended to operate with additional resistance in series with the primary coil, and this resistance will need to be
added to the other resistance in the primary circuit when calculating the steady state current and time constant.
Two different designs of the pulse generator are described in the next steps. One is based on a PIC microprocessor, and the other based on a 555 timer.
Pulse Generator Based on Microprocessor
A PIC microcontroller based pulse generator circuit is used to generate the signal used to turn the IGBT on and off. Using a microcontroller gives the flexibility to control
both the on time and the frequency independently. The software allows the spark repetition frequency to be set between 10Hz and 400Hz, and it allows the on time of the
pulse to be set between 0.5 and 2 milliseconds.
The maximum current can be limiting by adjustment of the on time. If the on time is set to less than about four time constants, then the current in the primary will never
reach its steady state.
The circuit uses two potentiometers, R3 and R7. One is used to set the on time, and the other to set the repetition frequency. The potentiometers are read by the
microprocessors A/D converter. R4 and C5 and R6 and C6 are used as low pass filters on these analog inputs. The software generates the output pulses based on the
on time and frequency readings.
One processor input is used to read an enable switch. When the switch is pressed, the input is brought low, and the microprocessor generates pulses on the output with
the on time and frequency as set by the potentiometers. When the switch is released R1 pulls the input high and the output is turned off.
The program flow chart diagram, *.asm source code file, and *.hex file for programming are included.
Alternate Pulse Generator Based on 555 Timer
This 555 timer circuit can also be used for the pulse generator, but it cant generally let you control the on time and frequency independently. Refer to the separate
schematic for the 555 timer version of the pulse generator.
The schematic shows a 555 timer circuit which uses diodes to create separate charge and discharge paths. The on time is determined by how long C1 takes to charge
through R1, potentiometer R2, and diode D1. The off time is determined by how long C1 takes to discharge through R3, potentiometer R4, and diode D2. By separating
the charge and discharge paths, the on and off times can be controlled independently, allowing the user to set the on time so that it is not so long that it results in wasted
energy. Note however that changes to either the on time or the off time will result in a change to the pulse repetition frequency, unlike the microprocessor based version
of the pulse generator.
The ON time, OFF time, and frequency of the output are determined as follows:
Ton = 0.693 * (R1 + R2) * C1
Toff = 0.693 * (R3 + R4) * C1
Frequency = 1/ (Ton + Toff) = 1.44 / [ C1 * (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4) ]
Pushbutton switch SW1 connects the reset line of the timer high, enabling the pulse generator output. The output goes low when SW1 is released, turning off the HV
output.
Switch
The switch used here to control the current in the primary is an International Rectifier IRGB14C40LPBF IGBT. This IGBT is specifically designed for automotive ignition
system applications.
When the switch in an ignition system opens to disrupt the current in the primary, the voltage across it rises up to hundreds of volts. This IGBT is rated to handle this
voltage. It also includes internal clamping diodes to protect against overvoltage. Refer to the internal diagram of the part shown below to see how the internal protection is
implemented.
Proper heatsinking is needed for your switch. This is especially true if you ever plan on overdriving your coil with a higher power supply voltage. Exact heatsinking needs
require some calculation of the actual power dissipated in your switch. To err on the side of caution mount to a piece of aluminum and also use some forced air, such as
from a small fan. In the system shown here, the heatsinking is provided by a large copper area of the PCB.
Circuit Protection
It is beneficial to provide protection to the driver circuit to avoid damage from transient overvoltage spikes. MOV1 is placed across the power supply input to clamp
voltage spikes. MOVs (metal oxide varistor) are protection devices which are designed to be off when the voltage across them is below their clamping voltage, but then
turn on and conduct once that voltage is exceeded. When it is conducting, the voltage drop across it is relatively constant. The MOV therefore clamps the voltage
across the power supply bus to a safe level, so that it does not rise high enough to damage the driver circuit.
The MOV must be selected with a clamping voltage that is greater than the power supply voltage; otherwise the MOV will be conducting all the time and it will overheat.
For example, the MOV I chose for use with a 14 volt power supply clamps at around 20 volts. Transient spikes greater than 20 volts will then be clamped so that the
power supply bus will not see a voltage greater than that.
It is also useful to have a larger of capacitor (C7) on the power supply input. A couple thousand microfarads worth of electrolytic capacitors works well. The capacitors
provide a low impedance path to high frequency spikes on the power supply. Make sure that the voltage ratings of the capacitors you use are greater than the supply
voltage and greater than the MOV clamping voltage.

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Image Notes
1. Schematic showing the design detail of the complete system. This schematic
shows the microprocessor based pulse generator. Note the switch is a
protected IGBT. All the components inside the box labeled "SWITCH" are
internal to the part.

Image Notes
1. Alternative pulse generator circuit based on the 555 timer IC, for use if a
microprocessor is not desired. Note the diodes used to allow separate control of
the on and off times. See the instructions here and in the datasheet for the 555
timer to determine proper component values to provide the pulse timing needed
in your application.

Image Notes
1. This is the complete circuit internal to the IRGB14C40LPBF IGBT used in this
project. The extra components shown are for protection against transient
voltage spikes caused by the primary inductance being switched off.

File Downloads

Pulse_Generator_Flowchart.pdf (40 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'Pulse_Generator_Flowchart.pdf']

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ignition-Coil-High-Voltage-Display/

12F683_IGN_DRVR.asm (30 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to '12F683_IGN_DRVR.asm']

12F683_IGN_DRVR.HEX (4 KB)
[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to '12F683_IGN_DRVR.HEX']

Step 4: Overdriving
Ignition coils can be overdriven to increase the power output.
As mentioned earlier, the energy stored in the primary is related to the current flowing in the primary. Also recall that the length of time required for the current to increase
to a certain point is related by the time constant and the steady state current. The time constant is unchanged by a change in drive voltage, but the steady state current
does increase with a greater drive voltage. So, driving with a higher voltage allows the primary current to reach a given level of current in a shorter amount of time.
Overdriving therefore increases the output power by allowing more pulses of the same energy to be released in a given amount of time (a higher drive frequency)
compared to the case where a lower power supply voltage is used.
When overdriving the coil with a voltage greater than that of the electrical system it was designed for (usually 12 volts), it is possible to damage the primary if the switch is
left on too long. The current in the primary will increase to a level beyond what the coil was designed to carry in the automotive electrical system, and so excessive power
will be dissipated in the resistance of the primary winding. This must be taken into consideration when setting the maximum on time produced by the pulse generator
circuit. By properly limiting the on time of the switch, the coil can deliver more energy to the HV output without increasing the power dissipation in the primary winding or
the switch. This is possible because the power dissipated in the primary is determined by the RMS current in the primary. Using a higher power supply voltage and
properly limiting the ON time allows the RMS current in the primary to be kept the same while the energy throughput is increased.
Overdriving risks drastically increasing the power dissipated in the semiconductor switch if the on time is not limited. A switch that is adequate for 12 volt systems may
easily be destroyed when overdriving, if care is not taken. The on time of the switch will have a significant effect on the power that is dissipated in the switch. It becomes
even more important to use adequate heat sinking for the switch when overdriving. The image below shows the remains of an IGBT that burned out when overdriving a
coil. Keep the on time propely limited to avoid burning up your driver circuit!
If you are overdriving your coil, also keep in mind you will also have to make sure that the circuit protection (MOV and electrolytic capacitor) are rated for the higher
supply voltage.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ignition-Coil-High-Voltage-Display/

Image Notes
1. This IGBT was destroyed by excessive power dissipation when overdriven with a power supply of about 35 volts DC.

Step 5: Coil Damage Due to Overvoltage

In typical automotive use, the coil only needs to generate a short spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the engine. A higher voltage output allows the generation of a
sufficient spark, even if the spark plugs have deteriorated and become fouled. It is generally not suggested to run with the distributer disconnected, as the output voltage
of the coil can then rise high enough to damage the coil internally. In normal operation the coil output voltage is limited due to the shorter gap of the spark plug. Even with
wear and fouling, the output does not rise high enough to damage the coil. Many automotive diagnostic sites and articles list poor high voltage connections as a possible
cause of ignition coil failure.
I damaged one coil in this manner. Initially, arcs as long as 1.5 inch could be generated, but after a relatively short length of time producing arcs of that length the output
reduced to the point where the arcs were only about one half that length. This kind of damage is caused when a pathway of carbonized material forms internal to the coil.
This kind of issue can be confusing, as measurements of the primary and secondary winding resistances may look the same as they did before the damage. The meter
will not produce a high enough voltage on its resistance measurement setting to cause the carbonized pathway to conduct, so the resistance measurement may look
normal.
The picture below shows a coil with a visible scar on the center HV shroud, cause by arcing. The carbon track then provided a lower resistance path to the HV output, so
that the arc would no longer jump across the desired spark gap, but instead jump directly from the coils HV output to its - terminal. This coil operated properly again
after cleaning up the carbon residue and covering it up with tape, but if the damage had been internal the coil would be irreparable. The possibility for damage of this
nature is more pronounced when overdriving the coil, as the arcs tend to be hotter.

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Image Notes
1. Note the "scar" burned into the surface of the plastic shroud.

Step 6: Results
The pictures below show the complete ignition coil system mounted on a board. The pulse generator circuit and IGBT switch are on a small custom PCB. The input power
jacks, enable switch, and the on time and frequency controls are mounted on an aluminum angle bracket.
I'll repeat the safety warnings here.
Excecise caution and good sense when working with high voltage. Remove power from the system before making adjustements.
Don't touch the arcs. Be mindful that the potentials generated can jump a significant gap, and that insulation on tools like regular pliers may be inadequate to
prevent you from getting a shock.
Keep in mind that some parts of the system can get hot. The arcs can be hot enough to to ignite paper and plastic, so operate it in a safe location.
High voltage discharges generate Ozone gas, which can cause irritation if breathed in. High voltage discharges also generate some ultraviolet radiation, so
limit your exposure and don't stare directly at the arcs.
The first picture is a short time exposure showing the arcs from the high voltage output when used with a power supply of 14 volts. Note that they arcs are distinct blue
streams, as opposed to hotter arcs.
The arcs become much hotter when a greater power supply voltage is used along with a higher driver frequency. The subsequent pictures show operation using higher
power supply voltages. Notice that the arc is now a hot and yellow.
The video shows how the output arcs are affected by changes to the repetition frequency, switch on time, and power supply voltage.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ignition-Coil-High-Voltage-Display/

Image Notes
1. Arcs achieved using 14V power supply.

Image Notes
1. Arcs achieved using 35V power supply.

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Comments
21 comments Add Comment

VadimS says:

Jun 30, 2011. 7:40 PM REPLY

Well designed circuit. I've seen a few designs that are best describes as shabby.

Noitoen says:

Jul 3, 2011. 8:41 AM REPLY

Back in the 1980, we use to build cdi ignitions for cars with points. They had a pot core harting oscillator transformer to charge the 2 0,47uF capacitors to
around 400v and a thyristor to discharge it through the coil. The circuit was designed so that it kept the original coil, points and capacitor so that in the
event of cdi ignition failure, you would just switch a couple of connector to return to normal. The original coil on a VW combi ran cooler and the points
only needed ajustment due to mechanical wear and the ignition never failed.

VadimS says:

Jul 9, 2011. 10:55 AM REPLY

I've built something similar for a tractor a few years ago. Made a vary noticeable difference in the idle and starting.

skowerr says:

Jul 3, 2011. 11:54 AM REPLY

What would happen if I would connect a power audio amplifier (12V max) instead of the pulse generator... would I get a singing arch??

LargeMouthBass says:

Jul 4, 2011. 8:54 PM REPLY

This type of setup won't really work for the "plasma speaker" type projects. Those use a much higher drive frequency than can be used with an igniton
coil. The drive frequency is usually tens of kilohertz, and then the audio waveform is used to alter the pulse width to modulate the arc to produce the
sound.
The primary of an ignition coil has a fairly high inductance, and so the current can't be driven with a high enough "carrier frequency" which could then be
modulated to produce any kind of reasonable quality audio. Flyback transformers are usually what is used for plasma speakers.
At any rate, the drive to the switch needs to be a digital signal to turn the switch either on or off, and so you wouldn't want to apply an analog signal
directly to the gate/base of the switch you are using.

skowerr says:

Jul 5, 2011. 10:45 PM REPLY

Thank you for your comprehensive answer :)
I asked because it is easier for me to get for free a ignition coil than a flyback.
One more question. What type of material should be used for the electrodes, so they would not melt after a couple of minutes of arc production?

LargeMouthBass says:

Jul 6, 2011. 4:31 AM REPLY

The electrodes in this project are just 14 ga copper wire. I had no issues of the metal melting, but the insulation near the ends started to burn after
a while. Brass brazing rods work well, and that is what I used on my Jacobs ladder that was built using a neon sign transformer. The brass can be
somewhat better than copper in that it is stiff and so it will keep its shape better. But the copper works fine, just strip off all the insulation off to be
safe.
The wires may get a little warm after producing arcs continously for a while.
I've only run the setup here for about 3 minutes at a time. If you are planning on making something to run for much longer, its best to check it out
and see just how hot it gets. An of course, don't leave it unattended.

RickO5 says:
Fun idea, I may have to try that.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ignition-Coil-High-Voltage-Display/

Jul 3, 2011. 5:35 PM REPLY

trewq7 says:

Jul 4, 2011. 11:44 AM REPLY

coll

HoldOnTight says:

Jul 4, 2011. 7:03 AM REPLY

You have taken a complex subject and you have described all the information needed to produce one of the best Instructibles I've ever read. Great job and
thanks for sharing!

stackerjack says:

Jul 3, 2011. 11:05 PM REPLY

I was always of the opinion that the main reason for the capacitor across the contact points was to allow the current in the coil to collapse rapidly, thereby
inducing a very high voltage for the spark.

static says:

Jul 3, 2011. 6:49 PM REPLY

Well done. I have been threatening to use a GM HEI coil, with 555 to do something similar, for quite some time. I have an old function generator I could use
for a signal. but I'd rather keep from HV.. The old tool ain't worth much, but it works. I ruin a 555, and associate components I'm not out of much

Eurober says:

Jul 1, 2011. 12:03 AM REPLY

A good explanation, but you have omitted to describe the purpose of the capacitor connected in parallel with the "points" in the typical automotive
application.
The method I have used in the pasts is to drive che primary by discharging a 1 /uFcapacitor charged at 400V with a thyristor. With hi-voltage coils one can
reach 60,000-70,000V without any damage to the coil.

LargeMouthBass says:

Jul 1, 2011. 10:04 AM REPLY

You are correct, I did not include a mention of the capacitor ("condenser") that is used with the mechanical points system. That part allows a pathway for
the current to flow once the switch is turned off, and in the mechanical setup it prevents pitting of the switch contacts. My design doesn't use such a cap,
as the IGBT is use has internal clamps that protect it from damage.
The system you describe, where a cap is charged to 400V and then discharged through a coil via thyristor is called capacitve discharge igniton (CDI).
I've never experimented with such a system, but I belive they use a different type of coil. Anyway, the older inductive discharge "Kettering" type system
that my design is easier to implement, as CDI needs a circuit that can generate the ~400V needed to first charge the cap.

Eurober says:

Jul 1, 2011. 12:46 PM REPLY

Yes, you are right on the capacitor, but it serves also an other purpose. The 1 ?F capacitor, combined with the inductance of the system, creates a
resonant circuit with a decaying AC voltage with a frequency in the region of 50KHz, if I remember correctly; facilitating in this way the transfer of
energy to the sparkplugs. As a matter of fact, I would avoid using the over voltage clamping of the IGBT. The reason is that any current that is
shunted to ground represents wasted energy. I would use a suitable capacitor instead. Because it is a reactive component, no energy will be wasted.
I bet that at the secondary one would get a more "robust" spark. Please note that obviously the voltage at the IGBT will go negative also during the
inductive kickback.
To achieve the 400V in the capacitive discharge method, I used the common voltage multiplicator circuit (Villard circuit and similar) to go from the
typical household AC voltage line to the desired voltage, making the circuit quite simple..

LargeMouthBass says:

Jul 1, 2011. 4:11 PM REPLY

I have wondered what difference it would make is the primary circuit was allowed to "ring down" via a capacitor across the switch, like the
arrangement used with mechanical points.
I'd like to try a capacitve discharge type circuit, but I think I would need to use a coil intended for a CDI system. The coils I used in the project
here were all intended for inductive disharge systems, and have an inductance of about 3 to 5 mH.

Eurober says:

Jul 2, 2011. 4:38 PM REPLY

Funny, I posted an other answer and it has misteriously vanished.

For a confirmation of the purpose of the capacitor please read the following explanation from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_system
(quote):....
At the same time, current exits the coil's primary winding and begins to charge up the capacitor ("condenser") that lies across the now-open
breaker points. This capacitor and the coils primary windings form an oscillating LC circuit. This LC circuit produces a damped, oscillating
current which bounces energy between the capacitors electric field and the ignition coils magnetic field. The oscillating current in the coils
primary, which produces an oscillating magnetic field in the coil, extends the high voltage pulse at the output of the secondary windings. This
high voltage thus continues beyond the time of the initial field collapse pulse. The oscillation continues until the circuits energy is consumed.
(end)
I personally designed, build and sold SCR ignition units in the early seventies.
One of the various occupations that help me to pay for my MSc EE.
The standard coil had no problem holding the voltage, because the spark at the sparkplugs acts as a voltage limiter. On the other hand, if one
bench drives a standard coil with a large airgap, it is 100% certain that the standard coil will be damaged. As I said with a hi-voltage coil and a
SCR unit, it is easy to achieve 60,000-70,000Volts

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ignition-Coil-High-Voltage-Display/

Eurober says:

Jul 2, 2011. 12:10 AM REPLY

For the sake of completeness I have to correct you. The capacitor is a fundamental part of the ignition system and without a car will not start.
I am afraid there are no misconceptions. In any case job well done.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_system
(Quote)
At the same time, current exits the coil's primary winding and begins to charge up the capacitor ("condenser") that lies across the now-open breaker points.
This capacitor and the coils primary windings form an oscillating LC circuit. This LC circuit produces a damped, oscillating current which bounces energy
between the capacitors electric field and the ignition coils magnetic field. The oscillating current in the coils primary, which produces an oscillating
magnetic field in the coil, extends the high voltage pulse at the output of the secondary windings. This high voltage thus continues beyond the time of the
initial field collapse pulse. The oscillation continues until the circuits energy is consumed .
(End of quote)

tunes says:

Jul 1, 2011. 5:27 AM REPLY

I have built one of these using the 555 timer and I now see that a PIC based design allows a greater degree of fine tuning to get to the resonant frequency of
the coil. This seems important as different ingnition coils have slightly different capabilities in their output with the same circuit and voltage parameters. Some
have used two coils in parallel/antiparallel to achieve even higher output voltages and longer arcs.
I would love to try your PC based circuit but I currently have no way of programming a PIC and have only Macintosh laptops at my disposal. I suppose I
could invest in a PIC programmer and borrow a PC to just load the files on to the PIC. There are other projects such as the Aurora 9x18 RGB LED art
(PIC24F08KA101) that also use a PIC from Microchip. Could I just buy the Microchip's PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer? Would this work with the
files you provide here?? Or could you sell me a few programmed PICs? I could also buy a few PICs and fedex to you for programming, if you would be
willing to help me.
Also, could you send me a BOM for the parts list?
OK to email direct: kuriloff@nyhni.org

LargeMouthBass says:

Jul 1, 2011. 10:24 AM REPLY

Actually, ignition coils don't depend on resonance to generate the HV output.
There is a misconception among some that an ignition coil operates like a Tesla coil. An igntion coil is actually an iron core transformer, with a turns ratio
on the order of 75:1. Switching off the primary current causes the primary voltage to rise to several hundred volts, which is in turn stepped up by the turns
ratio.
What is important is to have an idea of the inductance and the resistance of the primary, as that lets you determine the time constant. From there you
can configure your pulse generator to turn the switch on for an appropriate length of time.
I'm not familiar with the PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer. If it is a product made by Microchip for general in circuit programming then it should be
able to be used. I have actually never programmed any parts using in circuit programming before, but I know that there is an app note on Microchips web
site explaining what you need to do regarding connections to the processor.
The files I have attached should work regardless of the programmer you are using. You will have to use the 12F683 with the files supplied, unless you
know how to update the source code for a different PIC and then assemble to get a hex file for programming the different PIC. That isn't terribly difficult if
you know a bit about the assembly language.
I don't have a BOM of the circuit per se, but the schematic has manufacturers PNs for all the more critical parts, like the processor and the IGBT. The
other stuff is just common resistors and caps. 1/4 Watt resistors work fine. The caps you select must be rated to handle whatever maximum voltage you
plan on applying to them. For example, the ones on the input to the +5V regulator will see the power supply voltage, so select them depending on the
max power supply voltage you intend to use.

tunes says:
Thanks so much for your comments and the files.
Dan

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ignition-Coil-High-Voltage-Display/

Jul 1, 2011. 11:08 AM REPLY