Re: No frills small Tesla coil

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Jim Lux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

At 11:11 AM 3/15/2006, Tesla list wrote:
> Original poster: Peter Nielsen <nielsenp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> I need to build a small Tesla coil for lab work, but it is not my 
> primary interest, at this stage.
>
> I looked online, but could not find anything "low end", as it were.
>
> Can anyone please advise where I can find plans for a TC that 
> incorporates a spark gap and will produce just a tiny spark of about 1/2-3/4"?
>
> That's not much, from what I have read. I am therefore expecting 
> (needing) it to be small in size, maybe 6-8" high, and as easy to 
> construct as possible.
>
> I have seen soild state designs using an ignition coil and flyback 
> transformer, but I am studying high frequency skin effects and 14KHz 
> is too low.
>
> 12VDC input is preferred, but mains voltage would suffice, if necessary.


Use an HEI ignition coil with the core removed.  That moves the self 
resonant frequency quite a bit higher.  (HEI coils have removable 
cores, the usual round black cylinder kind are much more difficult to 
remove the core from.)

http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlux/hv/igncoil.htm

Search the archives for GMHEICSLR  also (GM HEI coil spark length record)

There are very, very simple designs using a triac lamp dimmer as the 
primary voltage source.