Re: Help making tesla coil and jacobs ladder

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

Original poster: "Andy Cobaugh by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <kb3ewy-at-rcn-dot-com>

Robb,

In respect to the Tesla coil, i am building a 4.25" x 20" coil wound with
#22 magnet wire using a 12/30 Jefferson electric NST.  I should easily reach
past three feet with the arcs.  I have successfuly built a smaller coil that
produces 6" arcs.  I will let the other people on the list take care of the
specifics of the coil, as it is kinda a matter of preference, money, and
what you have on hand, sort of.  The 12/30 NST makes a pretty nice Jacobs
Ladder too.  I used the rabbit ears from a TV as the electrodes.  They
extend pretty high and can be collapsed for portabilty and storage.  Check
out my website to see how i built it.
http://users.rcn-dot-com/tcobaugh/Andy/tesla.htm One note though, the arc can
reach extreme temperatures, so hot that you can't touch the electrodes after
just a 10 sec run, so use something that can either stand that temperature
or dissipate it.


Andy, KB3EWY

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2002 6:48 PM
Subject: Help making tesla coil and jacobs ladder


> Original poster: "Robb by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<robb-at-kc.rr-dot-com>
>
> Hello folks, im new to the mailing list.
>
> I am seeking advice and guidance on building a Tesla coil using
> a 12,000 volt 30ma Neon Sign transformer.
>
> I have searched the net, and while I can probably figure it out,
> I must admit that im not as electrical savy as I'd want, to undertake
> designing one myself.
>
> I dont want to burn up the transformer, as I want to use it for other
> projects as well, and I dont want to do anyhting that can get someone
> hurt.
>
> Can anyone out there help me / tell me how to construct on?
> Im not shooting for any goal of "50 inch arcs" or anything, just a
> funtioning tesla coil that wont hurt anyone.
>
> Also, i want to make a jacobs ladder. Correct me if im wrong, but cant
> I just take 2 coat hangers, bent away from each other, and shove them
> in a piece of pine wood.  Position the bottom/closest point so its close
> enough its not that hard for the 12kv to arc across, then let air
> ionization and the spread of the wires do the rest.
>
> PS, this transformer, i bought on ebay, is a Franceformer.
> Its completely potted in a steel casing.  Does it have any capacitors
> inside that I need to worry about, or is it probably just a transformer?
> Also.. I need output wires for the unit.  Any suggestions?
> Will I need to use spark plug wires, to handle the voltage?
>
>
> Thanks much folks, I appreciate it.
>
> -Robb
>
>
>