Re: Problems with Information Unlimited transformer

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Karl Lindheimer <karl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Matt,

I am not familiar with the BTC3 Tesla Coil from Information Unlimited, but 
unfortunately your problem accurately describes a shorted secondary to 
ground winding.  This can occur from several causes.  The most likely with 
a new transformer is a manufacturing defect.  Your best bet is to claim the 
tranny was bad when you plugged it in, and see if they will express ship 
you a replacement.  If you can physically access the carbonized short, you 
may be able to repair it.  Perhaps when you shorted the cap to ground, it 
caused an overvoltage, destroying some insulation.  But since the 
instructions tell you to do that test, again, it should be covered.

Good luck with your project, and keep us posted as to what you find.

Karl

On May 16, 2005, at 9:25 PM,  Lkeen89@xxxxxxx wrote:

> 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.