The "higher voltage" is usually on the line side of the isolation
transformer. You would create a safety hazard by accessing that voltage.

Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©
,

Pshaw

I used to make a living fixing TV sets that ran off of the mains wit
no isolation. Needless to say there were millions of these TV's back
in the day, The trick was to use half wave rectification.
You can do the same thing with a PC supply. Instead of using an AC
input you would half wave rectify the AC and and a suitible filter
capacitor to make up for the frequency change. Also you has to use the
neutral as ground, and use a polarized plug in the USA, Now it's true
if the wall outlet got wired the wrong way you could be in for a treat
of epic proportions. So a GFI would be in there somewheres to protect
you. Then your HV DC ground will be at neutral. At which point you
could use a Voltage multiplier to get close to any whole number
multiple of the mains voltage.

Now it's true you you may not get away with this trick on 3 phase or
split phase 220 mains, because then where is the neutral?


73 OM

n8zu