Re: Plans

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

Original poster: "jpeakall by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <jpeakall-at-mcn-dot-org>

Hi Matthew,

I am a new coiler as well. I have gotten three books so far, and have found
all of them useful. They are:

Tesla Coil by George Trinkus
Tesla Coil Construction Guide by John Couture
Table Top Lightning by Lloyd F. Ritchey Jr.

Table Top Lightning has the most construction details. Couture's book is
more general, but has loads of good info. I wanted to play with coils before
I commited to a permenantly mounted one, and so I built two out of Couture's
book, the 70kv and 250kv systems, just laying out the components on a glass
table (no metal). The 70kv is based on an ignition coil, and while it won't
ultimaty satisfy your desire for big sparks, I found it very effective in
teaching me the basics, and being able to play with it safely. I am working
on an improved version to teach elementary kids with. It was also cheap and
easy to build, and cheap to play with different tank caps. As well, you can
use the same secondary for the 250kv system. In fact, I have used the same
primary too, although I have had to make adjustments in height to compensate
for overcoupling. Using an OBIT (oil burner ignition transformer) I have had
a heck of a lot of fun, and feel I am getting close to being able to make a
coil that will suit my needs. 

I would highly reccomend starting with a small system. Not only is it safer,
but I think one learns the most by trying to coax maximum performance from a
smaller system. 

As well, there is a wealth of information on line. Most Tesla web sites seem
to be on the Tesla Web Ring, so once you hit one page, you can crusie page
after page of Tesla Coil info.

Have fun coiling, I sure am!

Jonathan Peakall



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>From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
>To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
>Subject: Plans
>Date: Sun, Apr 22, 2001, 2:56 PM
>

>Original poster: "Matthew Andresen by way of Terry Fritz 
><twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <mooseman-at-premier1-dot-net>
>
>Hi All, I've always  been interested in building a Tesla coil and have built
>Van de Graf generators in the past.  Where is a good place to start?  I
>thought perhaps Tesla plans for my first attempt would be a good idea.  Any
>thoughts on plans or a good way to proceed would be appreciated.
>
>Matthew Andresen
>Snohomish, Wa.
>
>
>
>