Chirk CHP-1214A – new Plasma Power supply
Post by Bernd Weinmayer
original CHP-1214A and a selfmade one with glass cover and 40x40mm cooling fan
Dear PAA Community,
After INFORMATION UNLIMITED went out of business about 2 years ago, many of us were looking for alternatives to the popular PVM400 and PVM12 plasma transformers. By chance, I met Mark and Marcia Chandler from Australia, at the GAS meeting 2024 in Berlin. Mark is a scientific glassblower with a background in chemistry. They recommended Chirkindustry.com from Taiwan to me as a source of high-quality plasma power supplies. I had Chirkindustry send me a few sample transformers in the early summer of 2024 and tested them intensively for six months.
To date, I have not been able to destroy any of these small devices (CHP-1214A) and am also impressed by the quality. I would say that we have finally found a real alternative to the PVM devices, which in my opinion are clearly more reliable in terms of quality and can also compete well in terms of price.
The Chirk CHP-1214A is the most powerful plasma driver device from Chirkindustry. It can be used for single-electrode objects of medium size (e.g. plasma balls). Weaker industrial grade Plasma Drivers are also available from Chirk.
The CHP-1214A device requires an upstream 24 volt power supply unit with at least 2 amps of power. There is a red cable (+) and a black cable (-) for the low-voltage connection to the high-frequency cable output, as well as an earthing cable. This can either be connected to an earthing electrode or simply clipped or connected to the black cable. The Plasma Power Supply is super-compact (6 cm long, 5 cm deep, 5.5 cm high) and completely encapsulated. This means that no dust or oxidation is possible. The device is also equipped with a small rotary control. This can continuously reduce the maximum power by approx. 30%. If a power reduction to 0 watts is required (full utilization of the power from 0 to approx. 35 watts), this is possible with an externally adjustable 24 volt power supply unit. These can be ordered cheaply from Amazon, for example. If the maximum setting should be 16 volts instead of 24 volts, for example, and this value must not be exceeded (e.g. for small plasma objects), then there are adjustable socket power supplies on the back of which the maximum power can be set with a screwdriver and fixed for the public for an unlimited period of time. Several plasma transformers can also be connected to one powerful 24 volt power supply unit (e.g. Meanwell). Here are three suggested links in the appendix.
What is so special about the CHP-1214A devices? According to the performance data, these parts are designed for small plasma objects. But tests have shown that these small transformers are extremely powerful. I had an order for the production of 2×100 liter plasma spheres. These are glass bulbs with a diameter of 610mm. For such large-volume objects I always use my PPS-24 Plasma Power Supplies for 800 Euros (Made in Germany). I tried to operate these large plasma globes with a small Chirktransformer and was surprised by the result. The flash discharges really reached the outer glass wall. Compared to the large PPS-24, the Chirk-Transformer was not quite as bright (see comparison photo 2x 100 liter globe).
Chirk CHP-1214A (left) vs. PPS-24 (right) with a 100 liter plasmaglobe
What fascinates me most, however, is the insensitivity to another electromagnetic fields, e.g. from another neighboring plasma object. All plasma drivers that I have come across so far have a problem if, for example, several plasma pieces are in close proximity to each other. My jellyfish installation, for example, measures 200x200x50cm meters and is operated with 5 small CHP-1214A, which do not interfere with each other. If I were to operate this installation with 5 x PPS-24, or PVM12 or PVM400 devices, the transformers would burn each other out within a few hours.
Why is this not the case with CHP-1214A devices? Probably because the device actually only consists of a cast-in coil and the control unit (power supply unit) is located at a distance from the electromagnetic field. This CHP-1214A therefore opens up completely new application possibilities.
Deep Sea, 2025, 200x200x50cm, run by 5x CHP-1214A, total 100 Watt
The CHP-1214A is installed in a metal heat sink jacket. This dissipates the coil heat optimally. According to the manufacturer Chirk, the use of a small 4x4cm fan is recommended for an input power of over 1 ampere = 24 watts. In such cases, I make myself a glass housing to which the fan is simply glued on the outside. In addition, the housing is fitted with a low-voltage 5.5×2.5mm DC quick connector so that the high-frequency devices can be placed or changed quickly (see photo below)
Caution! Plasma Drivers are not toys. They may only be used by qualified personnel with knowledge of high frequency current. There must be no strongly grounding materials such as metal within a radius of 1m from a Plasma Driver.
The Chirk CHP-1214A is comparable in performance to a PVM12 and costs 65,- Euro net, plus shipping, without fan housing.
Can be ordered via bernd@weinmayer.at or directly via Chirkindustry.com.
I hope this article provides motivation for interesting new plasma projects. I would like to thank Cary Rapaport for her support with the publication for the Plasma Art Alliance! And of course to Marcia and Mark Chandler for the sensational product tip!
Please let me know if you have any questions. Best regards from Tyrol…
Bernd Weinmayer
CHP-1214A
Input 24VDC, 1.5A max.
It has a variable resistor that allows you to adjust the input current.
The output voltage is approx. 4.0KVrms (11.3KVpp)
When the input current is < 1A, fan cooling is not required.
When the input current is > 1A, it is recommended to use a 4x4cm fan to dissipate heat.
Connect with a single electrode tube: The red HV wire connects to the single electrode. Green GND wire can be left floating or connected to black wire.
Connect with a dual electrode tube: Red HV wire and green GND wire.
Links:
Wire stripper for the HV cable https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000TGF938?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1
Meanwell 24 volt transformer https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00MWQE6VE?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1
Adjustable 24 volt transformers https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C3H7T35Y?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C65TGGBS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title