DIY Air Flash Lamp

[bapco]

is it possible to build a DIY Flash lamp using air only? i don't have a source for xenon gas fill.

[boogie]

you can by depressurizing the air inside. Air also works but it would shorten the life of your electrodes becoz of oxygen.

[Korrn]

Yes it could work but it would be nice if you could fill your tube with inert gases. Perhaps suck out all the oxygen from the tube.

[Cereza]

check www.repairfaq.org for plans on how to make DIY flashlamp.

[Retrotech]

Here's one I made. It is over 6 inches long.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2720870935_2bc60d0376_b.jpg

The white thing with the big metal ball is a Leyden jar capacitor. When it is charge to a high enough potential, a spark jumps between it and the lamp. This spark switches current from the capacitor through the low pressure air inside of the lamp. Here is what it looks like when firing.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2720870939_5f9d584061_b.jpg

It's bright, but not compared with a xenon lamp. The color is sort of pink.

Compare the air lamp with a string of small xenon lamps:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2720870917_d2a676cf3e_o.jpg

and now firing:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2720870923_9f644a7f74_o.jpg

I'm afraid there's just no comparison. However, air makes an easy and cheap choice when xenon lamps are not avaliable. What do you plan on using your air lamp for? Please tell me. I might be able to tell you if an air lamp is your best choice, or if perhaps there is another type of DIY lamp you can use.