Re: good scopes for coiling

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Malcolm Watts" <m.j.watts@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

On 17 May 2005, at 11:45, Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Mercurus2000" <mercurus2000@xxxxxxx>
>
> So there is no electronic way of measuring the resonance of a
> secondary without complicated or expensive electronics? ----- Original
> Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> To:
> <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2005 3:59 PM Subject: Re:
> good scopes for coiling

I'm sure a way can be devised that doesn't require use of an
oscilloscope and sniffer probe although that is probably the best
option. Connecting a signal generator which can supply some current
(a buffered 555 e.g.) to the secondary base in series with a resistor
would allow monitoring of current through the resistor with a LED in
parallel by sensing the voltage across it. That will interfere to a
far lesser degree with correct operation of the secondary. I see no
reason why it shouldn't work although you can probably expect several
lesser peaks besides the fundamental. In my experience, monitoring
base current and finding the peak doesn't coincide exactly with
maximum Vs although it gets close.

Malcolm

> Original poster: "Malcolm Watts" <m.j.watts@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> On 13 May 2005, at 23:02, Tesla list wrote:
>
>   > Original poster: "Mercurus2000" <mercurus2000@xxxxxxx>
>   >
>   > Couldn't you take like you said a 555 timer, connect the pulsing >
>   squarewave output to a TC secondary, then connect a diode to the >
>   topload and connect a digital voltmeter to the diode and get a idea
>   of > the resonant frequency? Adam ----- Original Message ----- From:
>   "Tesla > list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent:
>   Friday, May 13, > 2005 10:49 AM Subject: Re: good scopes for coiling
>
> In a word, no, not if you are after accuracy. Anything you connect
> directly to the secondary is going to boost its puny capacitance out
> of sight.
>
> Malcolm
>
>   >
>   > Original poster: Karl Lindheimer <karl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>   >
>   > Hi Keith,
>   >
>   > A scope and/or frequency generator can be quite helpful in Tesla
>   Coil > duty, and for just about any other project that will come
>   along. > Since I am on a low "fixed budget" as it were, I built a
>   555 timer > waveform generator for about $8.00 total.  I used an
>   inexpensive > multi-meter for several years before snagging a
>   Tektronics 265B scope > for under $100 on Ebay.  This scope is the
>   best addition to my test > bench in many years, and continues to
>   impress.  My Tek scope is rugged > and parts are still obtainable
>   from junked scopes. > > Hope that the above helps, > > Karl > > On
>   May 12, 2005, at 10:32 PM, Tesla list wrote: > >  >Original poster:
>   "keith" <keith.cc@xxxxxxxxxxx> >  > >  >I'm looking to buy a scope
>   and/or frequency generator for coiling >  and >general use, but I
>   don't really have any idea about >  manufacturers/models >etc ­ what
>   are some good ones to look for? I've >  read that the older tube
>   >scopes are better than modern solid state >  ones for the stressful
>   >environments generally encountered in high >  voltage work, and
>   given that >I'm still new to coiling/hv devices, >  something that
>   has a good chance of >surviving a few careless >  errors/poorly
>   designed experiments would be good. >Relatively low >  cost would
>   also be nice. Thanks. > >Keith C > > > >
>
>