Re: Some wisdome needed!

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

Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com> 


I suspect your 15 kV xmfr is a 30 mA current rating not a 30 mV(milliVolts).

Don't mess around with building your own.  Use the MMC caps --- the Geek
Group website has a chart that tells you how many to use in a single series
string.  The Geek Group caps are very durable and will serve you well.

For best output, even with a small coil, keep the sec. as large dia. as
possible.  A 4 inch dia. would be a good place to start with a height/dia.
ratio of 4.5:1 for the winding length.  26 or 28 AWG magnet wire is a good
range for this coil.

At this power level 2 spark gaps in series fashioned from carriage bolt
heads on insulators will work fine.  Keep the total gap to around 0.100"
while tuning with a variac to drive your xmfr.  After you find the resonant
point, then 0.180"-0.200" max (total for both gaps) will give you good
output.

Above all, have fun.

Dr. Resonance

 >
 > Hello my name is Cody, I am new to the tesla list. I am currently studying
 > Electronics Engineering Technology and I am wanting to make a tesla coil.
 > My buddy is giving me a NST rated at 15kV -at- 30mV. I really dont know where
 > to start. I have looked at the minikatz coil and I like the design. Where
 > would I find caps suitable for tesla work? My buddy says to make my own. I
 > would really like to find manufactured ones if it wouldnt be too much
 > money. I have about $100 to make the coil and can probably get building
 > materials like pvc and plywood for free. Also I have all the tools I need
 > to make it. I have tried looking through the archives but it is very
 > overwhelming, alot of info that I don't yet fully understand. Any
 > information will be greatly appreciated. THANKS
 >
 >
 >
Cody
 >
 >
 >