How to increase voltage of powder coating system

[Spork]

Hello,
I have a (cheap) powder coating system and I was thinking I could try and step up the voltage a bit to make it work like one of the more expensive ones. Basically, it uses 110v and converts it to 16Kv to charge particles of paint. I would like to make it variable from about 30Kv to 50Kv or just make it fixed at around 30Kv if that is at all possible.

**broken link removed**
I have not opened it yet, but I am assuming it's got: a few capacitors, coils, a transformer (at least 1), etc. I will try and open it tonight and get some pictures of the board layout/parts already in it.

My question is: What do I need to add/change to step my voltage up that much (about double) efficiently?

 

[hkBattousai]

Re: Voltage Increase

It is not easy to change 16kV to any higher value. Because the parameters of the overall system is designed to work under 16kV. Working under any higher voltage rating would probably cause the insulators to conduct some leakage current and finally will be burned.

Maybe, a possible solution could be connecting a 16kV to 32kV transformer. But this time, the output actuator you desire to drive must be able to bear 32kV voltage. Also this way you limit the maximum output current by half the original rated value.

To solve this problem, you can connect a buffer before the transformer, then you connect another transformer (identical with the one in the device) parallel with the other one in the input, and series in the output.

Or you can buy the expensive one :|.
Good work.

 

[Meridian]

Re: Voltage Increase

It is not easy to change 16kV to any higher value. Because the parameters of the overall system is designed to work under 16kV. Working under any higher voltage rating would probably cause the insulators to conduct some leakage current and finally will be burned.

Or you can buy the expensive one :|.
Good work.

Good point! Don't know what type of electronics is used inside the box but overall the system is setup/designed to work with 16KV. To double the output may not be as easy... I guess returning the unit and buying the other one is a good idea....

 

[Spork]

Re: Voltage Increase

Well, the difference in price is a few $100's and I can't really justify it. I figured there would be some easier way to bring up the voltage.

I was thinking along the lines of your second idea, because I don't think the current plays as big of a role as the voltage does in this application:
Basically the electricity runs through a metal rod in that gun from the picture. Then the particles are pushed past with air from a compressor, the particles charge and float out of the gun. The metal they will stick to is grounded, so the particles are attracted to it.

~Spork