While conducting various Lifter experiments, I will generally choose the Glassman High Voltage EH Series, rather than the less finicky, but more fragile Information Unlimited GRA3 Series high voltage DC power supply. However, as these things sometimes happen, every so often an electrical experiment can go terribly wrong. In one such example, while rerunning my replication of T.T. Brown’s Electrokinetic Apparatus, I extended the leading edge emitter wire gap to nearly the full 7cm available. Upon turning on the high voltage power, there was an immediate thunderous GRRRZAP! accompanied by bright flashing inside the red spinner perched at top of the tower. Although I immediately shut down the power supply, considerable damage had already been done. In an arc light instant and quick puff of blue smoke, my previously reliable GRA3 was utterly dead… Emitting that unfortunate stink of an totally fried electrical short circuit.

Replication of T.T. Brown’s Electrokinetic Apparatus

Of course, the first step was to pry open up the GRA3 unit, and inspect the internal guts of this dead power supply for specific source of the failure. Sure enough, after the protective covers were removed, I found most of the power supply more or less undamaged, and were two clearly toasted resistors were quickly located. It was immediately obvious this pair of resistors were totally fried, and in fact had burnt right through the base of the circuit board. Reviewing the schematic diagram thoughtfully provided by the manufacturer, I identified these two parts as being 220ohm – 1/2watt, and 47Kohm 1watt resistors.

GRA3 Disemboweled Upon Work Bench

Visited the local Radio Shack (and where’s a good electronic hobbyist find parts these days?) where I encountered a sales representative with apparently limited knowledge pertaining to actual electronic parts. Seemingly this individual was only trained in the art of promoting cell phone plans, or selling other ridiculous electric whirligigs. Basically receiving little genuine assistance, was told the exact replacement parts I needed were not available. Specifically, there were no 47Kohm 1watt resistors found in stock, and beyond that… only a blank stare. Returning home, was further motivated by the alternative presented in an email from Information Unlimited, offering to assemble a new GRA3 voltage multiplier circuit board for only $50.oo. Was then double determined to repair this damaged voltage multiplier for myself, if possible.

Fried Cockcroft-Walton Voltage Multiplier Board

Reluctantly… I returned once more to the local Radio Shack, and bypassing the sales person, called upon my own limited electronics knowledge to solve the problem. Searching through parts draws without further assistance, I somehow remembered when used in parallel, two 1/2watt 47Kohm resistors will preform exactly the same as a single 1watt 47Kohm resistor. So I purchased the parts I could use from this same ‘know nothing’ clerk… Two packs of five resistors, along with a nifty 25watt Soldering Iron.

Making Repairs to GRA3 Voltage Multiplier

Delicately I removed the burned out pair of old resistors, and proceeded to clean up the burnt circuit board around the edges as best could be done. Carefully soldered in three new resistors, secured in placed on the reveres side, since there was more space on that back of the board. Although possessing little to no previous experience assembling small electric bits such as these, even working to the best of my ability, it turned out to be a rather sloppy job when completed. Just the same, the new parts were finally attached onto the board, and upon visual inspection, the necessary repairs at least seemed complete.

Realizing My Soldering Skills Leave Much To Be Desired…

Knowing full well my crudely done soldering work was most likely a fairly fragile repair, I gently reassembled the entire GRA3 High Voltage Power Supply within it’s case. With all black plastic covers returned to their proper protective positions, was  once again ready to attempt another Lifter gravity defying flight, believing to have completed the much needed repairs….

GRA3 Reassembled and Ready To Test!

Wired everything together with one of my favorite Lifters, gently powered things up very slooowly, and the darn thing actually worked! Am most thankful to have successfully repaired my original GRA3 Power Supply, done at a small fraction of what it would have cost to buy just a replacement voltage amplifier circuit, or perhaps one of the new and improved HV25, HV35 or HV300 Series High Voltage Power Supplies from Information Unlimited. Thus from now on, I’ll treat this older GRA3 unit with a greater respect, and certainly consider its use more carefully in the future. So now then… back to the wacky science laboratory, and on to the next experiment!

Information Unlimited GRA3 High Voltage Power Supply Back On Line!