Re: [TCML] largest secondary coil you'd drive with an NST

["Tim Meehan" <btmeehan@xxxxxxxxx>]

I hate to ask this too - but what is the optimum aspect ratio for a
secondary?  I've run JAVATC, and have built a feeble (but pretty) classic
tesla before ... and have read but probably poorly understood a few papers.
I think that I'm ready to build version two of the static-gap, NST-powered,
properly filtered and protected coil.  I just want to make sure that I learn
as much as possible before I start purchasing things that probably won't
suit my needs.

On Dec 13, 2007 5:56 AM, David Rieben <drieben@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hi Tim,
>
> It's a bit of both ;^) As the power levels increase, this calls
> for larger circuit components (primary C and L and conse-
> quently larger secondary C and L). Of course there is some
> flexibility to these parameters and you can increase the output
> of any given coil by applying more power, within reason.
> However, a larger diametered secondary coil has a greater
> inductance than a smaller one and will therefore yield longer
> sparks. For example, a 12" diameter secondary coil will
> yield longer ouput sparks than an 8" diamter secondary coil
> from a 10 kVA power source, assuming all other aspects
> of the coil are identical. Of course both coils will produce
> longer sparks from a 10 kVA power source than from
> a 5 kVA power source. If you are sticking with NST
> power, then 6"  should be as large as you should need
> to go for secondary coil diameter. If your going with pig
> power, then you should opt for at least a 10" diameter
> secondary coil, if not 12" or more to properly utilize the
> available power. As far as height goes, optimum aspect
> ratios (height vs diameter) are generally between 3:1 and
> 5:1 with the larger coils generally falling toward the lower
> range and the smaller ones to the higher range. You should
> choose a wire size that will allow you to wind 1000 to 1200
> turns while maintaining the secondary's dimensions within
> the optimum aspect ratio.
>
> Hope this helps,
> David
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tim Meehan" <btmeehan@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 8:20 PM
> Subject: [TCML] largest secondary coil you'd drive with an NST
>
>
> > Is there some given maximum size of secondary coil (diameter or height)
> > that
> > you would consider driving with an NST?  For instance, I hear a lot of
> > people building 4-inch diameter secondary coils of various heights,
> > prehaps
> > even 6-inch diameter or so ... but is there some correlation of
> > transformer
> > KVA rating and secondary coil size, or is it really more about how much
> > bang
> > you can get out of a primary capacitor?
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>
>
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