Help!

• To: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
• Subject: Help!
• From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
• Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 20:45:54 -0500
• Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

Subject:       Help!
      Date:    Sat, 17 May 1997 15:17:25 -0400
      From:    Tom Heiber <theiber-at-lonet.ca>
        To:     Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
       CC:    tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
References:    1


Hi There. My name is Tom and I am new to "coiling" :)

I have heard/read a lot about Tesla Coils and such. But not untill
recently I was able to actually build one.
Since this is my first attempt at a Tesla Coil, I am trying to stay
within certain parameters (like money).

I got a hold of a schematic and instructions from a book "Gadgeteer's
Goldmine" for a table-top Tesla Coil.

I have everything set up but I can't get it to work. As I have a wide
electrical background. I am stumped by this.
I am using a regular Auto Ignition Coil (which honestly i have no idea
on what output it gives away) to produce a 1/2 inch spark (without
caps). But as soon as i connect the Cap (Cera-mite 40KVDC, 3 in
parallel, 570pf each) the spark dies out completely. No matter what I
try I can't get it to work. I do not know whether it's the Cap or the
AIC or something else. Like I said, I am quite new to this so I'd
appreciate any help.

BTW the secondary coil (Tesla) is about 1000feet wound on a 2" ABS pipe
(couldn't find PVC), coated with 3 layers of clear coat varnish. The
Primary is 12 turns of normal household grounding wire. The driver for
the AIC has a variable power and frequency controls. As I have measured
the frequency to the Auto Ignition Coil is somewhere between 100 - 2000
hz.

Tom Heiber

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