Re: New to this...

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Paul Nicholson <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Tyler Pauly wrote:

> Would I have to make my secondary first and hope I
> can create a top-load that will resonate the coil?

No, you can make your secondary first, then fit any
topload that you like.  The combination of any coil
and any topload will resonate at *some* frequency but
it doesn't matter what that frequency is.

When you've chosen a coil and topload, you can then
work out or measure its resonant frequency.  For example
you could use the web based calculator JavaTC.

An important step is to then make up a primary coil and
capacitor which will resonate at the same frequency as
your secondary/topload combination.

> I'd like to know what size of top-load I need.

This should be chosen so that it will give good breakout
with your available power.   There are no known calculations
for this step!   You'll just have to take advice from
experienced coilers as to what size of topload will do well.

--
Paul Nicholson
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