Can I use capacitors to create a magnetic field with a transformer and coil?

[Ziggey]

Hello.

So I'm trying to work on a project with capacitors. I have a twelve volt battery hooked up to a transformer that produces 120 v ac.

I would like to then hook the transformer up to five capacitors in parallel and then use the power stored i the capacitors to shoot through my coils to create a magnetic field. Something is going wrong though and I don't know what.

Any help would be great. Am I going to be able to just charge the capacitors up? I know that when running ac the capacitors are constantly charging and discharging. When I hook it up though the transformer makes a noise like I'm shorting something out... :/

Thanks for any help,
Zig

 

[davenn]

sounds like a bit of a dangerous project

putting capacitors across AC is pointless as each plate of the capacitor will be charging and discharging with each cycle of AC ( as you discovered) so you will end up with zero charge on them

forget the transformer and charge them directly from a DC supply

Dave

 

[milesyoung]

I have a twelve volt battery hooked up to a transformer that produces 120 v ac.

Do you mean an inverter? If you hook up a DC supply to a transformer, you'll just short out the supply.

When I hook it up though the transformer makes a noise like I'm shorting something out... :/

If you manage to hook up that level of AC voltage to your polarized caps, you're probably just going to see a lot of smoke.

 

[Ziggey]

Yes sorry I meant inverter... Ok I will have to modify my plan a little then thank you all for the help!

zig

 

[alphy]

Hello Zig,

Yes, it is possible to use capacitors to create a magnetic field with a transformer and coil. The process you have described is known as pulsed power, where the capacitors are charged and then discharged through the coil to create a strong magnetic field.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when working with this setup. Firstly, make sure that the capacitors you are using are able to handle the voltage and current from the transformer. If they are not rated for high enough values, they may get damaged or cause a short circuit.

Additionally, it is important to properly connect the capacitors in parallel and in the correct polarity. Any mistakes in the wiring can result in a short circuit or an inefficient use of power.

Finally, the noise you are hearing from the transformer could be a sign of a problem. It could indicate that the capacitors are not properly connected or that there is a short circuit somewhere in the circuit. I would recommend double-checking your connections and possibly consulting with an expert in this area for further assistance.

I hope this helps and good luck with your project!

Best,