Re: ignition coils

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: ignition coils
From: "Gregory R. Hunter" <ghunter-at-accucomm-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 12:47:03 -0700
Approved: twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net
Delivered-To: fixup-tesla-at-pupman-dot-com-at-fixme

Fucian,

You can make an even simpler setup by doing away with the relay and
transformer.  Use a solid state lamp dimmer switch instead.  Just put it in
series with a 1 to 10uF motor start cap and your spark coil and run it
directly from your mains.  Adjust the dimmer control for best spark output.
 The dimmer switch is based on a semiconductor called a TRIAC, which
provides pulsed current for the spark coil.  The motor start cap controls
the power level.  A bigger cap = more power.  If your spark coil runs too
hot, use a smaller cap.

25 years ago I used a spark coil & dimmer switch power supply to excite my
first small Tesla coil.  It worked pretty well.

Best Regards

Greg Hunter
Cochran, Georgia

At 07:51 PM 02/26/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>Original Poster: Fucian-at-aol-dot-com 
>
>how powerful are ignition coils?ive powered one with just a relay and a
motor 
>cap. in series with a transformer.it gave me a firery 1inch+-----what would 
>volts and curent be?it wont charge a capacitor at all--why?
>
>
>
>