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Re: Secondary wire types

Tesla List wrote:
> 
> Subscriber: randyl-at-ronan-dot-net Mon Jan 27 22:04:39 1997
> Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 00:35:05 -0600
> From: Nathan Lamphere <randyl-at-ronan-dot-net>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Secondary wire types
> 
> Howdy to all-
> 
> Ok, now that I have figured out what kind of components I need to use
> (Thanks to those who have helped get me this far)  I need to figure out
> one more item and then construction of my first coil can begin :)
> 
> I have seen several posts about using magnetic wire for the secondary
> wiring - my question is this:  should a person use only magnetic wire or
> can you use other types?  What is the best?  I am using 20 gauge in my
> design.
> 
> Also, when winding, I assume I am going to have to use several spools of
> wire (or does a person need to get one large continuous spool of wire?)
> - can I just solder the end of the one wire from one spool to the wire
> of the next spool and then keep winding?  Or, is there a different
> method that I need to follow?
> 
> Thanks again,
> 
> Nathan
> --
> Nathan Lamphere
> http://www.ronan-dot-net/~randyl/nfolder/nathan.html
> Javascripts: WebPageMaker - easily create your own webpage right online!

Nathan,

Not "magnetic wire" - "magnet wire". Common magnet wire is solid copper
wire coated with one or more thin layers of an insulating material. For
coiling, you'll want to use double Formvar, Nyleze, Imideze (ML), or
armored polythermaleze (APTZ) insulated wire to withstand the voltage
stress. Using 20 AWG is fine as long as you end up with somewhere
between 400 - 1000 turns. Smaller coils typically run with 22 - 26
gauge. Your coilform length-to-height ratio should not exceed 6:1 for
smaller diameter (2-3") coils.

You'll need to calculate how much wire (in pounds) you'll need. Use Dave
Huffman or Ed Sonderman's recently provided resonator and Tesla Coil
design tools to calculate this for you - you'll want a _continuous_
length so you don't need to make any splices. Magnet wire is sold by the
pound, and typically you can get it relatively inexpensively at motor or
transformer rewinding outfits. Wind the coil as smoothly and closely as
you can. The best bet is to take some time and make a little holder
beforehand that allows you to hold the coilform horizontally and rotate
it as you carefully wind it. This will also allow you to easily later
coat the completed coil with whatever protective covering you choose.

Safe coilin' to you, Nathan!

-- Bert --