Re: Pri/Sec coiling

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Pri/Sec coiling
From: Skip Greiner <sgreiner-at-mail.wwnet-dot-com>
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 10:05:16 -0800
Subscriber: sgreiner-at-mail.wwnet-dot-com Tue Feb 11 22:57:17 1997
Tesla List wrote:
> 
> Subscriber: FutureT-at-aol-dot-com Mon Feb 10 21:50:29 1997
> Date: Sat, 8 Feb 1997 10:53:45 -0500 (EST)
> From: FutureT-at-aol-dot-com
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: Pri/Sec coiling
> 
> > If anyone here has ever built a tesla coil running off one 12Kv 30ma
> >neon, let me know, this will be my first. And possibly make another with
> >two 15kv neons ;) if the first is successfull, and I take it I will
> > learn a GREAT deal of information upon the completion of the first?
> >Isn't that what practice is?
> >snip
> 
> > Thanks again!
> 
> >Jeremy Bair
>   >>
> Jeremy,
> 
> One of my first s. g. TCs used a 12 kV, 30ma trans.  It produced an absolute
> max spark of 40",  but comfortably gave 37 - 38" sparks.  To obtain these
> lengths, a bump had to be placed on the 17" toroid so that only one streamer
> was produced.  Multiple steamers reduced the length to about 31" I suppose.
>  I posted the specs for this coil about a week ago I believe.
> 
> I eventually used this transformer in a small magnifier which gave 36"  max
> sparks.   When this transformer blew out, I replaced it with another trans of
> the same specs which was newer and physically smaller, but it now gave only
> 30" sparks.  It seems to me that all neon transformers (of the same rating)
> are not the same ( I don't think the newer one was defective).  I WOULD BE
> INTERESTED to hear if anyone has seen this range of variation between neon
> sign transformers?  I have never heard this mentioned by anyone other than
> myself.
> 
> Jeremy, I'm sure you'll get plenty of answers from others to your other
> questions.
> 
> Happy coiling,
> 
> John Freau

John and All

I usually check my "new" used neons by placing an AC milliammeter
directly across the secondary and measuring the output current with full
line voltage applied to the primary. I can absolutely verify that all
neons with the same nameplate ratings are not equal. I picked up a "new"
used 12kv 60 ma France xformer this week. It puts out a maximum of 55ma.
Another unknown brand which I have puts out 65ma. That's almost 20%
difference which I believe makes a major change in the discharges
available from the TC.

Don't believe the labels.

Skip