Simple 2000 Volts Transformer – Electrostatic Sticky Notes

In this post I will show you how to build a nice and useful transformer on your own! Best thing it’s not expensive at all!

If you don’t know what a transformer is, look it up: Transformer. You can use it to charge a capacitor of your coilgun or to shock your friends! You will find the full tutorial including picstures and more after the break!
This post was sponsored by

 Let’s start with a list of required parts:

  I just love unpacking Farnell’s new shipments.
Here you can see the transformator, transistor and resistor.

The transformer consists of two small coils 
(each two pins on the bottom) and the main coil (two pins on the top):

Just follow the step by step pictures and solder the resistor to the transformator as shown in the picture:

Now you have to solder the transistor to the transformer’s middle contacts as shown in the picture below:

The red wire is + and the transistor’s pin .
The transistor’s pins are from left to right: 
1. Emitter 2.Collector 3. Base 
(picture below)

Hook it up to 5-9 Volts and you’ll have a voltage of about 2000 Volts AC between the remaining  two pins on the transformer:
Here you can see a nice spark between two wires from the transformer’s main coil.
Be careful! Don’t electrocute yourself or anything else!
In order to use this high voltage for other things we have to rectify it using this circuit:

 Hook up the contacts of Ue to the transformer’s output and you’ll end up with about 2000kV DC on Ua. Now you can charge your coilgun’s capacitor or do something else… 😉

Why use glue or sticky sticky notes when you can use your new transformer??

  Take a piece of paper and your new transformer and put a positive charge on the note:

Gently stick it to the wall. Due to its electric charge it’ll stick to the wall.

And here’s a video of this electrostatic sticky note:
I hope you enjoyed this post! Be careful when working with electronics though! 
Sponsored by Farnell


  1. Does the diode bridge go on the transformer input or the output?
    If output, do you pick the diodes based in voltage or current?

  2. I'm not op. The diodes go on the transformer output. You need to make sure the diodes can handle at least 4kv. Using a 2Kv diode is getting too close to the max voltage, so it's better to be safe than sorry. I wouldn't worry about current because it's so small, probably not even worth trying to measure. The only thing I would add is a small capacitor (10pf maybe) across the 10K resistor. That will help speed up the turn on/off for more efficient switching and let the transistor run cooler.

  3. I know this circuit and transformer! nice tutorial! i guess the paper would stick some hours until the charge got fully grounded – the transformer is a pretty decen one and costs just about 4$

  4. Hey i was just wondering i want to do the same circuit but i only have a transformer with 4 pin. (two for mains and two for dc ouput) could you please tell me how to do this circuit with my transformer. Because i really want to make a coil gun! :D. Any help would be appreciated

  5. > How long does the paper stick?

    Depends on the weather. In the tropics? Several seconds, maybe minutes. Winter in siberia? Several months.

  6. @anonymous: The second coil (i.e. pin 5 and 6 of the transformer) are part of an oscilator. If you don't have those, you'll need to build yourself an oscilator. Look (google) for "NE555 oscilator"

  7. Nice simple schematic. However, I don't see any specs on the diodes. If you want to rectify 2kV AC it is best to get proper diodes (3kV or more) or string cheap 1N4007's in series to make higher voltage diodes. For low frequencies this should work fine.

  8. Do you have to hold the negative side of the output with your finger and the note with the same hand? That means that the path to ground is through your hand?

  9. @jammit

    how much Volt should the capacitor have?

    I had a Capacitor with 10 uf and 50v, wil it work with this one ?
    or should I use an other one ( i had a lot )

    the positiv pole of the capacitor on this pin, on which the + pole of the battery is , right ?

  10. I think you can use it to charge a capacitor of almost any voltage? you just should use a voltmeter and turn off the transformer when the voltage on the transformer reaches its max. level

  11. I got a different transformer model, it looks exactlly like yours but your model number is 44093, my is 44236. And some other wirttings are different. Will it work?

  12. I just don't understand how you can get 2000 volts if it's a 230V/9V transformer. Is there any physical explanation?

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