Re: Problems with Information Unlimited transformer

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: <dgoodfellow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

If it is a transformer like these 
http://www.homestead.com/prosites-llcwccd/CNCTRANS.html
I had no luck with them. I built two small coils for ebay auctions, using 
these transformers. They worked beyond my expectations for a short time, 
then they would arc internally, and they were dead, almost. They would 
still put out a smaller amount of voltage, but not like when they were 
good. I went through 3 of these transformers, and they all ended up failed 
after about 5 minutes of intermittent operation. I ended up buying 
franceformer oil burner ignition transformers from Grainger to use in place 
of the Actowns. I seems that they can be made to work if the harsh stuff 
that the Tesla coils produce can be kept out of the transformer winding. 
What to use to filter it out, I don't know.

Dave Goodfellow



----- Original Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 9:25 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.