Revamp of questions, HELP! (transformer, multiplier, 555 timer)

[RedlinePusher]

Hi, So I am trying to build this circuit and i basically have unlimited resources. I am running into a lot of problems with this however. It seems like every time I take a step in the right direction I take two steps back. I have a working transformer a four stage multiplier and a 555 timer. this circuit is exactly like the one presented in the first post and at one point, with 2 stages i was getting 300 volts consistently, now I'm lucky if i can get any.... what is going on?! I literally changed nothing!

 

[FvM]

You're apparently referring to a previous thread, but don't tell which.

In any case, changing the number of stages in a cascade rectifier is definitely more than nothing.