Re: Ignition coil

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Ignition coil
From: Ed Phillips <evp-at-pacbell-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 02:31:37 -0600
Approved: terryf-at-verinet-dot-com

A good and cheap source for excellent coils for SCR drivers is at the
local auto parts salvage store.  The GM "high energy" coils were mounted
in the distributor caps of at least some years of Cadillacs and
Oldsmobiles and the going price around here seems to be $5.00 each.  I
think that's really a bargain, as they seem to work better than some of
the expensive coils from the speed shop. I have built up a couple of
installations using two coils back-to-back, fed from a single triac
driver.  With a 300 volt supply I can easily get 4" sparks, limited only
by breakdown of the transformers.  The coils are mounted in a plastic
refrigerator dish and immersed in mineral oil from the drug store, as it
is colorless and of reasonably low viscosity.  Have a file with the
design in JPEG format if anyone is interested.

Ed