Re: Tiny TCs

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Steve Cook by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Steve-at-g8cyerichmond.freeserve.co.uk>

I have built a number of tiny TCs with formers made from pill bottles with
diameters of 1.1" and winding length from 4-5". They run well, i've powered
them from rectified flyback circuits with no problems. They are great for
demonstrations if you don't have a lot of space, or if the powers that be
don't fancy 10' or greater sparks. Not only that but they are cheaper and
quicker to build. I have used wire as fine as 40swg for the secondaries. I
can draw 4" arcs from the top terminals with little effort, but i have
noticed that even two seemingly almost identical coils may not perform as
well as each other.
----- Original Message -----
From: Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2001 11:03 PM
Subject: Re: Tiny TCs


> Original poster: "Malcolm Watts by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <m.j.watts-at-massey.ac.nz>
>
> Hi Steve,
>
> On 7 Apr 01, at 14:47, Tesla list wrote:
>
> > Original poster: "Steve & Jackie Young by way of Terry Fritz
> > <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <youngs-at-konnections-dot-com>
> >
> > List,
> >
> > For experimenting with triggered spark gaps and other such research,
> > at least initially, one doesn't need large, loud arcs from large heavy
> > TCs to take the necessary measurements and draw conclusions.  And for
> > easily transported and quickly set up demos, tiny TCs should have
> > application.
> >
> > What is the list's experience with tiny TCs?  I am talking about
> > secondaries wound with 30 gauge or smaller wire and less than two
> > inches in diameter. (Smaller than Brian Basura's good performing
> > mini-twin.)
>
> In a word, fun. I usually run them from an SMPS EHT supply. Cranking
> up the supply until the coil becomes a ball of corona or wispy
> streamers, allowing it to arc to anything and everything without all
> the trauma of wondering what is going to cark it next is great!
>
> > For example, consider ordinary 1" PVC (1.3 inch OD) wound a length of
> > 6.5 inch with #36 for about 1,200 turns.  Primary 15 turns of #10 wire
> > (.11 inch diameter) spaced the same with 3.3 inch inside radius.
> > Toroid about 2" by 6".  Resonates about 1 mHz.  I am assuming enough
> > primary power to operate just under the secondary flashover or racing
> > spark condition.  (And I am assuming being able to successfully wind
> > the secondary with such small wire!)
> >
> > If TCs scale down OK and still maintain efficiency, seems like one
> > could still get a 10 inch discharge from it, or perhaps 18 inches from
> > bipolar twins.
> >
> > What has been your experience with miniature TCs?
>
> The efficiency is still there in my experience.
>
> Regards,
> malcolm
>
>
>
>