RE: [TCML] Capacitors

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

Hi Chrishitstopher (?),

Before discussing capacitor specifics, we need to be clear on the transformer configuration.

OBIT's are typically 10kV @23mA, midpoint-grounded.  If you're planning on wiring the secondaries in series to achieve 20kV, it won't work.  The fact that the secondary midpoints are tied to the case thwarts that plan, and there's nothing one can do to get around it.  Instead, tie the secondaries in parallel to achieve 10kV @46mA.  It will still process the same amount of power, but won't fry the OBIT's.

The cap size for a 10/46 power supply, assuming you have 60 Hz power and a static gap, is between 15 & 20 nF.

If money is short, a salt water cap is the cheapest and most reliable route.  I've personally not ever built one, but I understand that a 12 oz beer bottle is good for about 0.9nF each (but YMMV).

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Chrishitstopher Klaus
> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 7:06 PM
> To: Tesla Pupman mailing list
> Subject: [TCML] Capacitors
>
>
> Hello, everyone. I'm a fifteen-year-old coiler, and I don't have much money. I'm
> working on my first coil (I've gotten it running, before) and my capacitors recently
> broke. What I need is a number of capacitors or a single capacitor rated at 10nF
> and 20kV. I'm building the Tesla Coil with two OBITs in series-parallel arrangement.
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