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Re: RE- Microwave Transformers
From: Robert Michaels[SMTP:robert.michaels-at-online.sme-dot-org]
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 1997 11:49 AM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: RE- Microwave Transformers
TL>Reply To: Matt Mills
TL>Subject: Microwave Transformers and Neon Sign Transformers
TL>Hi People,
TL>Recently I have been given a large 1800VA 2.2KV Microwave Transformer
TL>out of a commercial microwave oven and also 2 13KV Neon Sign
TL>transformers which incidently weigh about 15kgs each. Now I have
TL>never made a Tesla Coil before, but would dearly love to do so (my
TL>wife wouldnt understand). I hear that wattage is better than voltage
TL>for a tesla coil and at other times i hear that higher voltage is
TL>best. Obviously the higher the voltage and the higher amperage is
TL>better. What I'm wondering is how should i use these beasts
TL>(together?) parallel, series etc and what size tesla coloumn could i
TL>power with them and what length sparks could I hope for?
No -- and none of the above.
If a person has yet to experience his/her first kiss, it's not
appropriate to be asking how to go about arranging a
menage-a-trois.
Neon transformers can be blown very easily if
mis-applied. I marvel at your sense of
efficiency -- wanting to see if you can blow
both of yours together.
Take =one= of your transformers and see if you can make
a Tesla coil with it. Nevermind about series/parallelling
them. See if you can get one to work first.
Likewise on spark length. See if you can even get any sort of
spark to begin with (many haven't on their first attempt)!
- - - - - - -
Power isn't the most important thing in coiling -- it's
the =only= thing. It's quite possible to make a
satisfying coil with, say, 12-volts input. It's power
that makes the "POW!!" (Voltage only makes "vol")
For disruptive-discharge coils it is helpful to have
sufficient "wiggle room" for adjusting one's primary-circuit
spark gap(s). Things don't get wiggly enough until you
have about 5-kv to play with.
On going much above say 20-kv and containing the voltage becomes
increasingly vexatious and irksome (i.e. a pain in the
ass). This detracts from time, effort and, resources
which could better be put into the Tesla end of the coil.
Higher voltages are also needlessly hazardous to your
health.
If you inadvertantly pass your hand within
an inch of a 5-kv 60-hz. circuit you may
never realize it. If you inadvertantly pass
your hand within an inch of a 25-kv circuit
you may also never realize it, but then all your
friends may have flowers and condolences to send.
Or you make simply wake up --- next Tuesday --
or next Christmas.
TL>Also If there is anyone out there with an excellent design for a TC
TL>and who has it in emailable form and doesnt mind giving it out for
TL>free, then my direction would be a good place for it to land.
The archives of This List have a variety of such designs
(utilizing one transformer). Likewise several List sub-
scribers publish plans which are eminently-suitable for
beginners. (John Couture's are such).
TL>Best regards,
TL> Matt (From New Zealand, where our power is 240v 10A 50hz
TL> mailto:megavolt-at-usa-dot-net
Robert Michaels
from Detroit, USA
(Where we learn to
walk before we dance)