Basic Question -- Powering a small plasma ball with a battery

AI Thread Summary
A small plasma ball can be powered by a battery for a mobile dance prop, requiring a DC output of 12V and 350mA. Using a USB power bank with a 2A output and a USB DC booster cable for 12V is a recommended solution. Alternatively, eight AA flashlight batteries in series can provide sufficient power, lasting around half an hour, while D batteries can last up to four hours. It's crucial to ensure correct polarity to avoid damage to the plasma ball. Hiding the power source under the table is a feasible option for maintaining aesthetics during the performance.
Dargeth
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
HI, I have embarked on a small project basically it is for my daughters dance routine prop.
I was wondering if I could power a small plasma ball with a battery.
The plasma ball power supply specs are: Output: DC 12V 350mA MAX 4.2W
It has to be mobile it will sit on a small table which has to be moved on and of the stage where she will dance.
Thanks.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Rive said:
:welcome:

Keep it simple. Get an USB powerbank with 2A output, and one USB DC booster cable for 12V, with at least 0.5A output.
Thanks for that, the powerbank i have but the USB DC booster cable i don't know what it is but will investigate, thanks again
 
Dargeth said:
The plasma ball power supply specs are: Output: DC 12V 350mA MAX 4.2W
Or use 8 flashlight batteries in series. Penlight, size "AA", Alkalines should last at least half an hour. "D" size should be good for at least 4 hours. Of course this approach requires either finding battery holders or soldering to the batteries, which you may not want to do.

Whatever approach you use, be sure to get the "+" and "-" polarity correct to the globe, it probably does not have internal protection for reverse polarity.
 
Dargeth said:
It has to be mobile it will sit on a small table which has to be moved on and of the stage where she will dance.
Thanks.
Could you hide two of these under the table ?
upload_2018-5-1_0-7-31.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2018-5-1_0-7-31.png
    upload_2018-5-1_0-7-31.png
    36.1 KB · Views: 454
  • Like
Likes dlgoff
Hi all I have some confusion about piezoelectrical sensors combination. If i have three acoustic piezoelectrical sensors (with same receive sensitivity in dB ref V/1uPa) placed at specific distance, these sensors receive acoustic signal from a sound source placed at far field distance (Plane Wave) and from broadside. I receive output of these sensors through individual preamplifiers, add them through hardware like summer circuit adder or in software after digitization and in this way got an...
I have recently moved into a new (rather ancient) house and had a few trips of my Residual Current breaker. I dug out my old Socket tester which tell me the three pins are correct. But then the Red warning light tells me my socket(s) fail the loop test. I never had this before but my last house had an overhead supply with no Earth from the company. The tester said "get this checked" and the man said the (high but not ridiculous) earth resistance was acceptable. I stuck a new copper earth...
I am not an electrical engineering student, but a lowly apprentice electrician. I learn both on the job and also take classes for my apprenticeship. I recently wired my first transformer and I understand that the neutral and ground are bonded together in the transformer or in the service. What I don't understand is, if the neutral is a current carrying conductor, which is then bonded to the ground conductor, why does current only flow back to its source and not on the ground path...
Back
Top