Easiest Way to Raise DC Source's Voltage?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around methods to increase the voltage of a DC source, specifically from batteries, with a focus on converting a 9V battery to 120VDC. Participants explore various approaches, safety considerations, and the implications of using high voltage in practical applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • John inquires about the easiest way to raise the voltage of a 9V battery to 120VDC without using multiple batteries in series.
  • Some participants question whether the target voltage is AC or DC and express concern about the dangers associated with high voltage levels.
  • One participant mentions that increasing voltage typically involves using DC to DC converters and notes the complexity of achieving 120VDC.
  • Another participant suggests that the required voltage may not be necessary for the intended application, proposing that current is more critical for generating the desired magnetic field in a Helmholtz coil.
  • There is a discussion about the efficiency of DC-DC converters and the implications of current draw at different voltage levels.
  • Participants clarify and correct each other on technical details regarding current and voltage relationships, with some expressing differing views on the definitions of high voltage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the necessity of high voltage for the application, with some advocating for lower voltage solutions while others maintain that higher voltage may be required. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to achieve the desired voltage safely and effectively.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of safety when working with high voltages and the need for proper precautions. There are also discussions about the efficiency of power conversion and the impact of coil design on achieving the desired magnetic field strength.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in electrical engineering, specifically those working with DC power systems, voltage conversion, and magnetic field applications.

Driggers
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What would be the easiest way to raise the voltage of a DC source? (Mainly batteries)

For example, say I have a 9V battery and would like to convert it to 120VDC. What would be the best way of doing this without just hooking 13 or 14 9V batteries is series?

If this is impractical, please feel free to educate me.

If you recommend a component to buy, please try to include a link.

Thanks,
John
 
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Driggers said:
What would be the easiest way to raise the voltage of a DC source? (Mainly batteries)

For example, say I have a 9V battery and would like to convert it to 120V. What would be the best way of doing this without just hooking 13 or 14 9V batteries is series?

If this is impractical, please feel free to educate me.

If you recommend a component to buy, please try to include a link.

Thanks,
John

Is that 120Vac (like AC Mains), or 120Vdc?

Either way, that is a dangerous voltage level. What background do you have in working with high voltage? What is the intended use?
 
berkeman said:
Is that 120Vac (like AC Mains), or 120Vdc?

Either way, that is a dangerous voltage level. What background do you have in working with high voltage? What is the intended use?

DC, sorry, I'll fix that.

And I have a some experience with HV (up to about 500V), but its all been in a lab with HV power supplies. And that's just an example voltage, it wouldn't necessarily be that high. But I'm not sure I would call 120V "high voltage". The IEC defines HV for DC being in excess of 1500V. 120V is on the bottom of the Low Voltage range technically. Sorry if that sounded a bit rude; I appreciate your concern and will take proper precautions.

As for the use, its pretty simple. I need to construct a Helmholtz Coil and want the magnetic field to be decently strong.
 
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Driggers said:
DC, sorry, I'll fix that.

And I have a some experience with HV (up to about 500V), but its all been in a lab with HV power supplies. And that's just an example voltage, it wouldn't necessarily be that high. But I'm not sure I would call 120V "high voltage". The IEC defines HV for DC being in excess of 1500V. 120V is on the bottom of the Low Voltage range technically. Sorry if that sounded a bit rude; I appreciate your concern and will take proper precautions.

As for the use, its pretty simple. I need to construct a Helmholtz Coil and want the magnetic field to be decently strong.

For the purposes of the PF, IMO, anything above SELV is "High Voltage". We get way too many newbies on here who have no idea of the shock and fire hazard presented by voltages above SELV, and also no idea about the safety regulations for dealing with AC Mains voltages when building projects.

It does sound like you have some experience, and Baluncore's advice is good. I've never built a boost converter up to that voltage level -- the ratio of Vout/Vin does seem a bit problematic. How many turns are you planning on for your Helmholtz coil? It's obviously the current that matters, and you can use bigger coil AWGs to get good currents without so much voltage boost...
 
BTW, you know that at best, DC-DC converters are near 100% power efficient, right? So that means that the current you draw from your 12V source will be about 10x the current that you supply at 120V. Is there a reason that you need to start with a 12V source? Are you wanting to make this battery-powered, instead of using AC Mains as the power source?
 
I don't see why such high voltages are needed at all. The magnetic field depends on the current and not the voltage. If the resistance of the coils is too high to get the maximum current that your supply can deliver ,use less loops of thicker wire.

If you use half the number of turns,and wire with twice the cross section, you can use half the voltage, twice the current, and get the same field and use the same power and the same amount of copper.

googling up some figures for a Helmholtz coil

http://www.phywe.com/461/pid/2241/Helmholtz-coils,-one-pair.htm

show that it has 2.1 ohm resistance and a maximum current of 5A, so you need only 10.5 V to get the maximum allowed current through the coil. (If your power supply can deliver 10 A for 2 coils)
 
berkeman said:
So that means that the current you draw from your 12V source will be about 10x the current that you supply at 120V.
Minor typo with a major impact there; you meant 1/10th the current.
 
russ_watters said:
Minor typo with a major impact there; you meant 1/10th the current.
I think not.
10A * 12V = 120 W
1A * 120V = 120 W
The English language is elegantly reversible.
 
  • #10
Oy, you're right. I got confused by the order of the phrasing -- that's for posting first thing when I woke up.
 

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