Re: Problems with Information Unlimited transformer

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxx>




What type of protective circuit did you employ between the power xmfr and
the oscillator tank circuit?

Dr. Resonance
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 6:25 PM
Subject: Problems with Information Unlimited transformer


> Original poster: Lkeen89@xxxxxxx
>
> I'm building the BTC3 Tesla coil from Information Unlimited, and tonight
we
> did the first test run of the HV wiring. This step kinda pertains to my
> situation, so I'll cite it here:
>
> 20: Open up spark gap or place a piece of insulating material between
> electrodes to prevent firing. Verify proper assembly and plug unit into
> 115VAC three wire grounded outlet. Check action of S1 (The main power
> switch), and note the neon indicator light lighting. (It did) Quickly
short
> out the spark gap electrode attached to the capacitor to the chassis
ground
> with the safety probe. Note a loud noisy bright discharge (It did.) Only
do
> this momentarily, as it subjects the components to unusual stress, and
only
> serves to verify proper operation up to this point.
>
> (The actual primary/secondary coils were not attached.)
> (The actual coils are not concerned in this problem. All talk about coils
> is referring to the transformer.)
>
> Now, here's my problem: As soon as we flipped the switch, there was a bit
> of sparking inside the secondary of the transformer. We ran through the
> test as far as grounding it, and it worked just fine, except for the
> sparking in the transformer. We then shut everything down and attempted to
> ground the capacitor again to discharge it, to see if it had any residual
> charge. There was no spark. We were kinda concerned about the spark inside
> of the transformer, so we turned the coil on again and the transformer
> started to produce smoke, and there was an orange glow inside of the
> secondary of the transformer. We tried step 20 again, to ground the
> capacitor, but with no results. Are there any suggestions as to what might
> be the problem? I feel that there was an internal problem with the
> transformer, as we have gone through the wiring several times to verify
its
> accuracy. The coil itself is due next week for a physics project. Could
> anyone provide any insight?      Thanks, Matt Keen.
>
>
>
>