How to make a Plasma Ball from scratch! Is it easier than you think?

⚡🌍 In this episode, we break down the fascinating science behind plasma globes, filled with noble gases like argon and helium, similar to fluorescent bulbs but with mesmerizing visual effects.
Watch as we build a plasma ball from scratch using everyday materials, discover how high voltage and noble gases like argon create those stunning light effects you've seen in museums.
We're turning complex physics into a fun, hands-on project you can follow along at home. Join us and see electricity like never before!
Some of the Materials We Used:
Glass Globe: amzn.to/46G3U87
DC Power Supply: amzn.to/3WvcJNs
Ignition Coil: amzn.to/3WzaFEk
555 Timer Chip: amzn.to/3LVi37V
Breadboards: amzn.to/3LU0cy7
Jumper Wires: amzn.to/3Af37Pq
Follow us on Social Media: linktr.ee/tkor1
Royalty Free Music from Epidemic Sound.
WARNING:
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Have fun, but always think ahead, and remember that every project you try is at YOUR OWN RISK.
This video is dedicated to our friend and founder Grant Thompson- the one and only King of Random.
#tkor #thekingofrandom
THANK YOU!! ✌️👑

[@jwing6269]

Ok nice. But where’s the part how you explain how to make it. I like how Tkor is going back to its roots but I felt like I could actually build Grants “how to” projects. Here, you say ” some electronics magic”. That doesn’t really fit the video title

[@gaelonhays1712]

Agreed. Absolutely brilliant, but I don't just want to see it; I want to understand it.

[@am529]

Did we watch the same video? They spent most of the first 6.5 minutes explaining what components they used and how they work.

[@20vK]

From their whiteboard diagram it looks like: DC voltage from the power supply goes into a Pulse Width Modulator, which feeds into a MOSFET, (kind of a digital, solid state relay), which then feeds into the transformer and turns the transformer on and off very quickly at the Frequency, (the number of times per second), and the Pulse Width, (the length of time each of those frequency pulses is held on for), you need every second. So essentially they are turning a very high voltage DC power supply on and off many times per second, controlling how long it is on and off for in a certain time period and then how many times that time period is repeated per second.

[@ShaneMcSaucy]

​@am529 but not the settings or what they did that DIDNT fry the parts or anything like that.

[@user-bf4jd7bq8s]

I always felt like I could build grants stuff with the kids

[@river_the_drake5229]

i appreciate how theyre trying to continue grants legacy but man every time i come over to this channel is just so sad. crazy how that happened over 5 years ago. feels like yesterday. miss ya man, rest in peace grant.

[@cch201992]

Definitely gives old TKOR vibes I dig it keep this up.

[@cch201992]

It's good because it's shows the natural progression of science. Like how curiosity leads to trying a new idea. "I tried this got this result let me change a variable and try it again see what happens"

[@haydenfrost2692]

Can you make one portable and put it on a wizard staff

[@TheKingofRandom]

Oh thats an awesome idea -Jake

[@felixchristianjuarsa1487]

Would be awesome for a steampunk or DND cosplay

[@DiyEcoProjects]

@@TheKingofRandom Yes please!!!

[@QuietStorm44777]

@@haydenfrost2692 ooooo TKOR and dragons? 🤔sounds like fun!

[@gtijason7853]

Could you use 8 18650 25A 3.7v in series to get the 30v at like 3500 mAh or 3 paralel x 8 series to get the 30v but with triple the amp hours ? Could use the incandescent bulb then right below make a housing for the Coil, modulator/relay, pulse gen, pots w long handle,on/off switch and usb c charger. Theen have the batteries in a 3d printed cell holder inside of black pvc tubing. - If this could last long enough for like 10 individual pulses/uses I might make it . . . So how long would the batteries last, Anyone know ? -

[@timng9104]

the true danger of electricity is its addictiveness, gets you hooked and want more pain XD

[@MElaughs]

I appreciate it has been hard since Grant's passing. I disengaged when the projects went a bit limp for a while but I get it, you are trying your own thing and trying to make the channel your own whilst juggling an existing fan base. Regardless of that, you guys have witched it up again and you have been doing a good job. Your style of presenting is different but your motivation and your passion to carry that torch is evident. So listen closely the pair of you - keep it up. Do your thing your way. Be yourselves and be proud to be random.

[@roncook8409]

By doing something similar to the experiment you performed while touching the screwdriver to the load side of the coil wire, you can also create a 'Jacob's Ladder' effect. A Jacob's Ladder is what they called those arcing devices used in the old black and white Frankenstein movies. We built one of those during our electrical apprenticeship back in 1980 by connecting two separate 12-ga copper wires about a foot long to each lead on the load side of a Neon light transformer. (I believe the voltage there was somewhere around 9,000 volts). We arranged the two copper leads (with the power off) in an upright, standing 'V' pattern, mounted on a terminal block, which was in turn, mounted on a block of wood, spaced about a centimeter apart at the base of the 'V' getting wider as the wires went up. When the power was turned on, the electricity would air arc across the space between the two copper wires. As the copper wires and the air around them heated up, the resistance increased, causing the arc to climb higher and higher up on the inside of the 'V'. As the arc rose, the distance between the two wires increased, causing more air resistance. As the copper leads cooled below the air arc, the arc would shut off and restart itself at the bottom of the 'V'. It would do that over and over again indefinitely. CAUTION: This is very dangerous, as touching the bare leads or the bare copper wires could cause injury or maybe even death. The following is a link to a Popular Science DYI on how to build a Jacob's Ladder using electricity. www.popsci.com/how-to-build-jacobs-ladder/#:~:text=It%20consists%20of%20two%20vertical,leap%20to%20the%20negative%20side.

[@lur3950]

I'm all in guys. This is absolutely incredible. It's Frankenstain lab all over again. I have been wanting to purchase or make 1 myself. This has been a pleasant surprise. Now, I did not get what gas you end up using. The glass ball, And all the final stuff that worked out. Please share all that.

[@rick9811]

Grant is smiling down upon this video! Great Old School TKOR content!

[@picramide]

The gear shift knob, grooved Corian, and ginormous clear glass sphere are wonderfully ingenious! I'm really surprised how great the finished product looks and works.

[@MrUnkownGuyAC]

Love this video. While it wasn't a "how to build" by going into the specifics, it was a great series of experiments and then loving the back and forth in the comments section. You're doing the projects and learning off of them and the comments!

[@daniel1981de]

You two are doing an awesome job job. I also miss Nate and calli and the videos they used to do

[@patricklong7518]

Grant would be proud of this👍 keep it up!

[@toxetix000]

bro what has this channel turned into

[@combycat]

Not sure why y'all are getting so much hate, great video!

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

its good to see this channel returning to its making science fun roots ill start watching again

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

How about a link to materials in the description, like for the globe?

[@abilexi7933]

The king of random will never be the same as it once was

[@togeynigskissinlol6099]

What happened to the original crew?

[@shortsinvisible6686]

I was asking my self the same thing the girl and that man

[@KingNothing22]

@@shortsinvisible6686 he died in 2019

[@arkhilious]

If you search "nfti tkor" it should be the first video.

[@wildcaveman5310]

The founder (Grant) died. The others are gone due to normal job turn over and business decisions.

[@BladeEXE67]

Since Grants death things became complicated, he wanted to have Calli and Nate keep up his legacy but Nate was let go by management and is doing his own thing now. I have lost track of what happened afterwards because the old King of random fell apart and it never was the same ever again. :(

[@bruhgaming12]

This is incredible. Im gonna make it

[@matt.blindpanicdevices]

Absolutely love this!👏👏👏 Been wanting to build one myself for ages! Got to say though, HIGH VOLTAGE IS DEADLY! im 7mins in and haven't heard a single High Voltage warning!😬 edit:spelling

[@TheKingofRandom]

An ignition coil is highly unlikely to kill you. It's similar in power to a stun gun, high voltage but not enough amperage to do real damage.

[@matt.blindpanicdevices]

@TheKingofRandom yeah its amperage that makes HV dangerous. However, in the hands of the average, non electronic savvy person, they could definately do themselves some real damage. Really sorry to be 'that guy'🤦‍♂️ but this really could do with a little disclaimer to stop people potentially damaging themselves.

[@Electronic4081]

@@matt.blindpanicdevices Current isn't the whole story, but yes this is unlikely to do serious damage. In reality, there are too many factors to consider when determining source lethality. A high-voltage warning would definitely be a good idea.

[@chemicode]

Wow I actually discovered that if you turn on a plasma Globe and then turn it back on it continuously glows in complete darkness

[@wildcaveman5310]

The vacuum reading is inches of mercury. And the size of the pump won’t change what it able to get to. It’s trying to overcome a leak. Fix the leak and your smaller pump will work just fine.

[@TheKingofRandom]

Mmmmm not sure the leak is large enough to be the cause. But good point.

[@yz250ftony]

Car ignition coils and flyback transformers are on opposite ends of the frequency spectrum of operation. Ignition coils are pulse transformers, using pulsed DC. Flybacks are terrible with pulse DC but work efficiently with high frequency AC. Easiest way to make his circuit is a 555 timer triggering a mosfet driving a flyback.

[@googissoftware]

So if a relay basically creates pulses and the coil is better for pulses, why do you say "Easiest way to make his circuit is a 555 timer triggering a mosfet driving a flyback" when the flyback is better with pure AC and not pulses ?

[@QuietStorm44777]

Ohhhhhhh my goodness this sounds like it was a lot of work 😂😂 great job you guys! 🤟🖤💛😎

[@user-tb4pe1rf3o]

I love the fake lightsaber sound at 10:18 😂

[@tobyn2994]

Please make a build video deconstructing your build and explaining each connection

[@mernokimuvek]

120 V lamp use 95% Ar 5% N2, 230 V lamp use 85% Ar 15% N2. The orange part of the arc is from nitrogen.

[@MikesRadioRepairRestoration]

You can drive the automotive coil with AC rather than DC. Only thing with that is you are stuck with 60 hz Freq.

[@googissoftware]

I will add a small piece of knowledge that was not explained in the video: many people know transformers (ignition coil) work on AC and not DC and then they can step up/down the voltage according to the ratio of windings of the 2 windings of the transformer. This video used DC - so how did it step up the voltage ? The truth is the coil will do its job on a "pulse" of DC voltage too. You can think of it this way - the relay turns the DC on and off many times a second (according to the timing of the 555 chip output wave), this essentially creates many DC short pulses to the coil, each time the coil's first winding receives such a pulse, an electro-magnetic wave is sent out to the second winding of the coil which then is converted into current on the coils output at a higher voltage. "Smashing" up the DC into many pulses actually creates a kind of AC here.

[@ostanin_vadym]

Thank you for interesting physics experiments

[@redstonecommander5190]

8:15 here’s why moving plasma can usually be controlled by magnetic deflections. But this will not be done with the plasma ball it operates on a high frequency electricity in because of this the charges do not have time to get moving far or fast so they will not get deflected

[@AkPK369]

Practice makes perfect

[@anon_y_mousse]

The clear box is cooler anyway, because you can see all the electronics inside. I don't know if epoxy would make a fluorescent tube strong enough for it, but you guys need to do a light saber fight using some reinforced fluorescent tubes.

[@BootstrapVirtual]

Question: Does it always have to be a sphere, or could other shapes work?

[@bazrazin1]

i had a commercial 4" ball it worked for sometime & then died out, found out it HV transformer failed, so i made a circuit using 555 & bike ignition coil, the arc filaments were even more powerful(current consumption was also very high) than original also i got zapped just by the ground wire of the supply hv was leaking onto the ground of supply, the x'frmer used by the commercial had a differential o/p, one to the middle of the glass & other to the base of the glass, i again made a hv circuit using commercial differential hv kits & now everything is working fine.

[@zachcrawford5]

The "orange" colour is probably sodium being eroded off the glass and then ionized (sodium glows a blight yellow when it's excited and that yellow was probably mixing with the reds and purples or the other excited gases to make the whole thing look "orange". Souce: I had a plasma globe as a kid and managed to put an tiny electrical ark within the solid glass itself by holding a small lump of aluminum/gold foil to the glass, it was actually quite beautiful and was one of the brightest and purist yellow I ever seen and it didn't jitter like a normal ark either, ten the whole globe imploded in front of my face lol (I wasn't hurt, just a bit sad I broke it).

[@TheKingofRandom]

No way that actually happened to us too. It ended up burning a hole through the light bulb. Must not have been filming for that part or it got cut in the edit -Jake

[@hypermonk33y56]

doing that is a really cool trick and also teach a lot

[@ebb2421]

the HV will pit/erode the center electrode and sputter the material on the inside of the globe.

[@googissoftware]

Can you please comment about the exact model of the relay you used or provide an amazon link too it ? Thanks !

[@johnnywright1592]

You have air leaks if it won’t pulled down and hold

[@TheKingofRandom]

Definitely. Not sure where tho and it was small. -Jake

[@standingwulf3330]

Your classic red and blue plasma globes seen everywhere are 95% neon and 5% xenon at about 200-250 torr (760 torr=1 ATM/15 PSI). BUT-- you can make an incredible orange, pink and purple tentacle globe with 88-90% Grade 5 neon and 10-12% DRY AIR at about 250 torr. The globes which have bright purple tentacles and bright red tips can be made with about 90-95% neon and 5-10% pur welding-grage argon. Pure white lightning comes from Grade 5 pure krypton at about 250 torr. If you steal the high voltage module from a version of the Lumisource plasma twist-style lamps made around 2000-2004 which uses the 12VDC external module that plugs into a jack at the lamp base it will power a 12-inch diameter plasma globe quite nicely. These reported formulas are from test plasma globes I have made myself--not from the internet. The plasma high-voltage drivers run at a frequency of 20-50 khz--and the flyback output from an old color TV picture tube can actually power a plasma globe at around 22 khz. Just in case you want to get serious about do-it-yourself plasma globes, I have KZbin videos posted to prove it under my KZbin userID. Feer free to check it out.

[@technicalmadman2986]

Great info and a cool video guy's 👍👍

[@USMC_1991]

"Power! Unlimited power!!!" - Darth Sidious

[@bravezoom]

it little bit like light Saber sword or harry potter in a way and have fun. PS the video is fun to watch an I learn some when I watched it.

[@zwahzee6792]

Can someone fill me in on what happened the Grant

[@m.aleissa1618]

He passed away in a skydiving accident

[@AugustusLook-l2s]

​@@m.aleissa1618👎🙏✌️❤️

[@LilyFlowers]

He passed away a little over 5 years ago from a paramotoring accident I think on July 26, 2019

[@Lilliesinthevalley]

Have you tried to put pure isopropyl alcohol into a clothing steamer? I'm curious as to what would happen...

[@omorhasan2863]

sadly this channel lost the charm

[@rocketman221projects]

Pulling a vacuum in a thin glass container that's not intended to hold a vacuum is very sketchy. If it breaks, it will throw glass shards everywhere at high speed. At least wear some eye protection.

[@Laserpointergreen]

You can make this 6x6cm large by using a 220ohm resistor and a tip44,2n3055(reccomended)tip42 or some transistor with a flyback form a crttv and just connect one end to the glass ball and the other end to ground

[@PlayNowWorkLater]

Fun experiment. But yeah, probably not something too many of us can build.

[@david_9bees]

This is So cool! 4th grade to 6th!

[@dustinswatsons9150]

Really good video thank yalll

[@_JuicyJ]

What is the cost to build this?

[@The_Oddity]

Can you explain how to make the pulse modulator

[@RoySATX]

Anything electronic worth making must include a 555 IC chip. I believe this is one of the commandments in the Maker Bible. I was worried you might have omitted said 555, but alas you followed basic maker protocol.

[@doubledarefan]

3:20 rday? (smack dab in the middle of the drawing)

[@coolnegative]

Wardencliff revisited

[@TheRealBGregz]

This is a weird episode of Good Mythical Morning.

[@zajimavepokusy1666]

Put some Xenon or Neon gas in the low pressure globe.

[@georgeaura]

Man this whole video was awesome.

[@NathanGardias]

I love jake

[@TheKingofRandom]

And i love you random citizen 👉

[@lilpsychofficial]

If only they know, putting more surface area of their hand onto the screwdriver, it would hurt less

[@joshuarush5762]

Fun Times with....Zap!...electricity

[@visualchallenge2413]

Need more experiments .... :) In particular your hand gives similar discharges used in the diagnostic equipment "Kirlian Photography" in alternative medicine ( to diagnose health from the discharge figures ). I suggest that you make original and random experiments not the classic ones. I heard also that the discharge filaments are in fact double helix filaments (if you look closely), no one showed this detail on KZbin. Maybe you can confirm it ? Thanks for this informative video !

[@vickirush5183]

That is GREAT!!!!

[@markshellard5894]

No safety glasses 🥽 😮

[@SpelloTV]

Bruh who is this guy!?

[@djgray2407]

Bro where’s the ogs at 😢

[@chairvrc]

Passed away the dude did

[@KingNothing22]

Grant Thomson Died in 2019

[@arkhilious]

​​@@chairvrcthat was just Grant. The other OGs, particularly Nate, made a video on it. If you search "nfti tkor" it should be the first video.

[@johnmc9073]

man said, "fck it im rocking the mullet in 2024"

[@noahjackson8174]

was that a homemade tesla coil there? pretty cool video.

[@TheKingofRandom]

Basically

[@Electronic4081]

Sorta similar. A tesla coil takes advantage of resonance to boost the voltage higher and higher and create arcs through the air. They both rely on high-frequency high voltage AC, though, a tesla coil generally uses a much higher frequency. Additionally, a tesla coil uses an air core, unlike their iron core ignition coil. This allows the tesla coil to operate at a much higher voltage without breaking down across the transformer.

[@zandermarriott]

Awesome!🎉

[@fruthat4686]

Make mgs4 rail gun

[@kidzonewithtrishy8339]

very cool!!!

[@Dr.LongMonkey]

You can tell they’re smart because their haircuts are so nerdy

[@Therian-fur24]

Lol

[@infiniteloop7585]

it might be helpful to the viewer to explain exactly what ionization is and what the physical nature of plasma is. other than that, i have to say you guys did a bitchin' job on this one. thanks, guys.

[@Randy-12345]

Do not touch the output of a car ignition coil it has a high chance of killing you!

[@geordimaul5380]

How to make a plasma ball But not actually show you how to make it TKOR is just not what it used to be.

[@rusmaster200]

i thought this was the deadpool and wolverine movie at first....

[@boltz1786]

Second!

[@richardmccurry785]

Way cool

[@AkPK369]

Easy for Commercial scientist youtubers

[@hrkbjfmvilagman3623]

I come here from time to time but it just doesn't feel right. I cant even finish the video

[@TankedMush]

Why does this guy sound, act and look like a young, Ron Swanson?

[@AugustusLook-l2s]

What is "air"?

[@AugustusLook-l2s]

Correction: what composition of "air" makes it non or positive conductive? I am a diver tender.

[@charlesfcpx]

Wtf was i seeing rip on videos and especially on the shorts????😭 Im mad confused on if someone passed away or not

[@VagrantMind]

idk the whole story but from what i’ve read the dude that ran this channel called Grant died 5 years ago and apparently his friends are trying to continue his legacy in his honor but the channel isnt what it used to be

[@crackerpooppop]

the original creator of the channel died in 2019

[@timofeybali308]

FIRST

[@mattwing9262]

Please shave and get a hair cut guys. First time coming back to this channel and unfortunately I'm extremely disappointed with the explanations, executions, and all round production of this video. Very disappointed from what I remember TKOR being.

[@patrickmagri363]

I THINK YOU FOUND THE NEW KING OF RANDOM. ALL THESE PROJECTS ARE VERY GRANTY. CAN YOU TEACH US HOW TO DO SMOKE BOMBS AND YHINGS LIKE THAT I LOVE RANDOM SCIENCE PROJECTS. MAKE A SUBSCRIPTION BOX WITH RANDOMNESS INSIDE. I MISS GRANT A LOT HE WAS MY FAVORITE KZbinR. RIP GRANT. Jerome is doing a great job!

[@TechTed1]

that is dangerous bcz is unlimited

[@user-he9hv5wo9d]

16th comment

[@BestPixel.]

First also hi

[@syedabdussubhan786]

hi TKOR do you need thumbnail designer at cheap rates?

[@TheKingofRandom]

that's my job - Jake

[@James.01011]

😂😂😂 easier you say

[@derrekvanee4567]

*Show you followed an instructables tut not knowing how a Silicon controlled switch aka solid state relay works.* ok boomer's.

[@AugustusLook-l2s]

These guys are probably cool. I can watch the videos. But, the hairstyles. 🤷🤦

[@AugustusLook-l2s]

2024 shrooms. If you are 25+❤😎👍🙏

[@DummyHorror-e9f]

White Donald Rodriguez Cynthia Rodriguez Joseph