Re: xray xfrmr powered coils

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "resonance" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>





X-ray xmfr is probably not the best way to go for big sparks.  It has 
almost too much potential and not enough current.

A standard 14.4 kV or a pair of 14.4 kV, 10 kVA pole xmfrs with sec 
series connected for 28.8 kV, will give you all the punch you need up 
to 30 ft long sparks.  We run our Big Bruiser at 26 kVA on a single 
14.4 kV pole xmfr and it produces 26-27 ft long sparks.

If you run at 60 kV you don't gain much because the current is much 
lower, and TCs just love current.  A higher current can recharge the 
cap bank faster so you can run 550-585 pulse/sec with full charge in 
each pulse.  A standard 14.4 kV, 10 kVA pole xmfr can be operated up 
to 20-25 kVA for short duty cycles --- that's 1,750 mA at 25 kVA and 
it will produce huge sparks.

Also, the pulse duty caps at 60 kV Erms would have to be rated almost 
150 kV DC and they would be very very expensive.

The X-ray xmfr you have would be great with a full-wave doubler 
circuit to charge large energy discharge caps to around 100 kV using 
a variac on the xmfr's primary.  These make an impressive blast thru 
a 28 AWG copper or steel wire approx 8 feet long!  Not the best for 
Tesla coil duty without enduring a lot of headaches.  It can be done 
but the cap cost will be prohibitive.

Be careful with older X-ray xmfrs before the 1950s and many of them 
contain a lot of PCBs.  Not too dangerous unless you ingest them and 
then carcinogenic.


Dr. Resonance