So, what was Stan doing?
He used very tiny electrodes, at the end.
That makes it easier to send a high voltage pulse, before lots of current follow.
Using the dieelectric properties of water, means using the resistance of about 80 ohms
So, using very short, high voltage pulses .
And when a bit of gas is produced in the wfc, the resistance will go up, very high.
Thats why he used a collapsing coil. That way the discharge into the cell would adjust by it self.
The more resistance, means a higher voltage peak. and a longer duration of that peak. Till all charge has gone from the coil.