Re: New to tesla coils

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

Original poster: Mark Broker <mbroker-at-thegeekgroup-dot-org> 


>Sorry for the confusion, I meant to use 1/4 inch pipe on the primary, I
>wanted to know the gauge of the connecting wire.

10gage will work fine.  Good source for short lengths of free heavy gage 
wire: Go to any shop that installs caur audio and ask for some power cable 
clippings.  It has a very thick insulation and is about equivalent to 
welding cable as far as flexibility.  8 and 4 gage is common, and some will 
have 0 gage.  When they think they need 15 feet for an amp they'll run 
18-20 and the extra goes into the clippings or scrap bin.


>For the geek group capacitor, I built it, but it's impossible to keep
>the wire hanging down on the side at least 3 inches from any of the
>other connecting wires!  I have insulation on it so there is no bare
>wire closer than 3 inches, is this ok?

Three inches is, admittedly, a little excessive.  Just keep them as far 
apart as possible.  Standard PVC insulation a la Romex is useless at 
15kV.  If you're using HV wire, then nearly touching is OK.


Most of the major electronics catalogs (Newark, Digikey, Mouser, Allied 
Electronics, etc) carry spools of generic magnet wire.  There are other 
internet sources as well that carry every size, insulation, and color you 
can imagine, though sadly I cannot site addresses.  As others have said, a 
local motor repair/rewind shop will be able to help you out, too.

Some have reported no problems using the new UL approved NSTs with the GFI 
circuitry intact....

Cheers,

Mark Broker
Chief Engineer, The Geek Group