Agreed.. you want a neon sign transformer. Alternatively a transformer out of a microwave will work.. but be careful!!! microwave transformers spell death if shocked by one since they're non-current limited. Microwave transformers don't really put out enough voltage to start the arc, so you sort of have to short the ladder to get it to go. Also not the safest method! Haha. What you really should build is a Tesla coil (built quite a few myself). blah blah blah OT, sorry. Good luck to you.