Re: tuning question

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

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <FutureT-at-aol-dot-com>

In a message dated 4/14/01 11:01:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:

> what does it mean to tune a tesla coil and how? what will i need to do 
this? 
>  waveform generators? oscilloscopes? LCR machines?
>  

RQ,

The secondary of a TC forms a resonant circuit at a certain
frequency based on it's physical parameters.  The primary forms
the same type of circuit.  The frequencies of both circuits must
be the same, thus the primary circuit is tuned to the secondary
circuit.  The primary is tuned by moving the outer wire that
connects to the primary to different positions on the primary
coil,  by trial and
error, until the position is found that gives the longest output
sparks.  If the wrong position is used, you may get no sparks
at all.  Sometimes, folks do not use enough turns in the primary,
then it's impossible to tune the coil.  As the tune point gets
closer, the sparks will get stronger and stronger.  You can
use hand calcs or computer programs to figure out how many
primary turns are needed as a starting point.  You don't need
any meters or instruments to do the tuning, if you use hand
calcs or programs.

The static spark gap spacing must be correct also.  Some folks sort
of think of this as a part of the overall tune-up process too.

John