Re: [TCML] First Tesla Coil Problems and Questions

[DC Cox <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is precisely why it's always a good idea to make a "scrap wire" primary
using some 12 AWG house wiring and using cardboard on edge, slitted, to hold
the wire prior to investing your time and money in a copper tubing primary
that may end up being too short.

It's very simple and fast to do and saves this heartache after you discover
you needed 1-2 more turns for best resonance.
On any new design I do this on all coils, both large and small.  JAVATC is
usually very accurate, but I always add 2-3 more turns on the scrap wire
primary, and then I have a wide range to tune from.  I replace this with the
more expensive copper tubing held in white delrin holders after finding best
point.

Not criticizing here, but merely want to point out this important step for
new coil builders.

Happy sparks!

Dr. Resonance



On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 11:51 AM, Henry Hallam <henry@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> You can also increase the value of your tank capacitor instead of
> adding more primary turns.
>
> Henry
>
> On Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 10:25 PM, tai o <taimaster2005@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Hi Norm,
> >
> >
> > I would like to add another few turns but I simply don't have enough room
> on my setup to do so. JavaTC shows that the coil is tuned at 7.5 turns but
> it seems to do better at 8. I can add about another 0.8 turn to make 8.8
> turns max but it would require remaking the pvc holders for the primary
> (which was a big pita) and purchasing more copper tubing. Even then it still
> wouldn't guarantee better performance and it may be not worth the extra
> effort. Thanks for the suggestion though. As of right now, I'm pleased with
> the performance and that it works reliably. I installed a ground rod today
> and that seemed to lengthen the sparks a little. I'm getting on average
> about 2ft streamers and the max i've seen is 2.5ft.
> >
> > -Tai
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Norman Stepp <ndsteppii@xxxxxxxxx>
> > To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> > Sent: Mon, March 1, 2010 4:15:36 PM
> > Subject: Re:[TCML] First Tesla Coil Problems and Questions
> >
> > Tai,
> > since you are maxed out on turn 8 w/ the best performance yet,
> > maybe if you add a couple of turns to your primary you would get
> > even better performance on say turn 9 (maybe). It's defiantly
> > worth a shot, worst case you would have a couple of more turns
> > to experiment w/ different top load sizes. Looking good so far.
> > Norm
> > Demotte, IN
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tesla mailing list
> > Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> > http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tesla mailing list
> > Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> > http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Henry Hallam
>
> Sent from my Laptop
> _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list
> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
>
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla