Jann, until now we have been talking about using the PT-7. If you will use the PGP8.1, you must use different circuits and components because of the greater voltage.
From your earlier descriptions, it appeared you had the paraSEX circuit. But that circuit (per the manual) removes the 1000 ohm 5 watt resistor at Step 2. So I do not know what circuit you have now. There are two useful options with the PGP8.1, but so far in this thread I have not described either of them. So I also do not know what circuit you want to have. If I am to make any useful comments, I need to know these things!
For the PGP8 circuits, you can use its high voltage, with a 5K series feed output transformer, or you can reduce that voltage with the original 1000 ohm resistor followed by a filter capacitor to ground. But I would use a resistor of at least 10 watts rating, mounted so it gets some cooling airflow; it will dissipate a lot of power and will get hot! The original 5-watt rating does not have the safety margin that I use today.