Re: Hello from The Newbie

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: DRIEBEN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Chris,

Welcome to the list. You wrote:

> OK...
> For starters, I think I'll wind the secondary. I'm not expecting
> it to be
> gorgeous
> or perfect, but I'll do the best I can. Scrounging around, I'm not
> findingmuch
> in the way of coil forms. The first two possibilities are: A paper
> toweltube, or
> a Pringle's chip can. Using partial specs below, which one would you
> choose...
> if you were forced to wind a functional Tesla secondary using one
> or the
> other?

I don't think a Pringle's potato chip can will work as the inside
liner would probably be conductive. You would be better to go
ahead and spend a few dollar$ for a piece of white schedule 40
PVC pipe to fulfil this purpose. You may even be able to find
some scraps of it for free that are long enough at a construc-
tion site. 4" diameter would work for a decent sized secondary
coil or if you want to start out smaller, PVC pipe is available
in smaller sizes as well at just about any home improvement/
hardware store for a nominal cost.


> I'll be scrounging for most items, whenever practical. As a
> packrat, I
> expect to find
> enough "junk" laying around to come up with most of the
> ingredients for the
> project.
> If I happen to mention a thing you *know* does not work, by all
> means clue
> me in!
> If something is "not optimal, but may work", I'd appreciate that
> knowledgeas well.
>
>
>
> (Note: I'm not opposed to butting two items together if necessary.
> ie... on
> first
>  thought, I'm guessing 2 Pringle's cans, 6:1 with ~1000 turns
> might work
> well.
>  I'd rather use only one item, but will use two if it's felt that
> one just
> won't work)
>
>
> Pringle's Can (with aluminized liner & steel end cap removed)
> 2 15/16" Diameter
> 3:1 Aspect ratio
> ~500 turns of 26 gauge wire
>
> Paper Towel Tube
> 1 3/4"  Diameter
> 6.2:1 Aspect ratio
> ~625 turns of 26 gauge wire
>
>
>
> I'm sure I'll have a couple dozen more questions before the
> year(week?) is
> over :-)
> Thanks in advance for any response.

I assume you'll be opting for a neon sign transformer (NST)
as your high voltage transformer? Call up some neon sign
shops in Atlanta and ask if they have some of the old non-
GFI ballast transformers that they would sell you or look
on ebay for them. Many people have a lot of trouble trying to
get the newer GFI transformers work in a Tesla circuit.

--
> Chris
>

David Rieben