Re: FBSSTC-NEED HELP

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

Original poster: "Malcolm Watts" <m.j.watts-at-massey.ac.nz> 

On 23 Mar 2004, at 6:50, Tesla list wrote:

 > Original poster: Fucian-at-aol-dot-com
 >
 > Hey everyone...Im having some BAD trouble with a SIMPLE circuit...I
 > really believe that GOD is keeping it from working for SOME reason...
 > Here goes the story: I built the micro sstc by steve ward...Its the
 > 4420 based circuit...I built and rebuilt it and then bought a new
 > breadboard and made it look GREAT!Formed all my wires all nice
 > and...Before i added the 12volt regultor to the board, i wanted to
 > test the circuit...I used a 12 volt battery...Since i dont have an
 > o-scope i used my DMM with its frequency and voltage...I tested for
 > frequency out of the 4420(i have a 555 to start the coil)...I got
 > 500khtz out and 12 volts out...I was happy...Did a lil dance...Nothing
 > blew up or got warm...I then added a 12 volt regulator and TESTED it
 > to make sure it was working...It worked and i wired it into the
 > circuit...I tested it....AND TESTED IT!AND UGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.....no
 > frequcny at all!

At this point, a circuit of what you actually did would be helpful.
Were you still running from the battery when you put the regulator in
the circuit? Don't forget, they have a dropout voltage of 3V or so.
If the voltage to the chips was too low, they may have been refusing
to go (undervoltage lockout - I haven't looked at the datasheets).

Malcolm


  My dmm DID say 60 htz...But it always seems to say
 > that when i get close to a xmfr...I got 0 volts out of the 4420 so i
 > moved down to the 555 and got 12 volts out and no frequency( stupid 60
 > htz BS)...I was stupified...I yannked both ICs out and replaced them
 > after testing each part...Everything was fine...This time i got
 > nothing AT ALL out of either IC...These were brand new ICs from
 > MAXIM(samples)...Again, nothing warm, no explotions...I then found
 > anoyher 555 from Onsemi i had left over and put it in...Got 10khtz and
 > then nothing...
 >
 > WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?TELL me its not GOD!SO i BEG you guys to help as
 > i have spent so much time( all night till 6am) and LOTSA money buying
 > stuff...I even got so happy and made a halfbridge..-dot-complete with
 > IRFP460s and bought a new variac cuz i was so DANG excited...
 >
 > Can i just BUY this from someone?I just need the driver!
 > PLEASEEEEEEE!!!Im going mad!I JUST NEED THE DRIVER!!!!I will pay cash
 > for it!PLEASE help me!I really need help as im going to can this thing
 > and forget tesla coils and my electrical engineering degree and
 > all...Ive done EVERYTHING ive been taught to do!WHAT is wrong!?If i
 > cant get THIS to work, im no good as an engineer?I guess i should just
 > switch majors to psychology and put myself in a mental
 > home!LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!
 >
 > PLEASE forgive my insanity..Its lait and i have a math test in the
 > AM...geeze...Thanks to ANYONE who will help!
 >
 > Matt
 >
 >
 >