RE: [TCML] How about some Tesla Coiling?

[Jeff Behary <electrotherapy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

David,
Tesla was using a self-induction coil or "kicking coil" circuit.  Most of the early commercial units I've seen with this arrangement are rated by the current consumed from the electromagnet.  Since the rate of interruption varies the amount of "on" and "off" time of this coil (it interrupts its own power from the mains), various amounts of current up to that rating are consumed.  
 
With these units normally the tension on the contacts is varied and this moves the contacts (when in the closed position) closer to the core.  If too much tension is placed on them they cease to function and the only thing you have is an electromagnet that isn't strong enough to separate them.   In Tesla's unit, he raised or lower the core by a lever.  This was better, because it kept the contacts parallel to each other at all times, where in the other method sometimes the bending of the lower spring contact would cause a sight misalignment of them...
 
Regardless, I think its safe to say that the power consumption from the wall when the photos were taken was around 30 watts.  I own some early coils that used this method and have seen machines produce a 4" spark with around 75 watts of power.  I think its possible.  
At least worth a try.
 
Jeff Behary
> From: drieben@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [TCML] How about some Tesla Coiling?> Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:21:21 -0600> CC: > > Hi Jeff, all,> > I wonder if the 30 watts vs 6" sparks claim was based> on actual wall plug power draw or was based on the> total energy of primary C (in J or watt/sec) discharge> per bang x BPS, or possibly even just the energy per> bang? I, for one, would be highly suspect of a 6"> or 12" discharge claim from a mere 30 or 35 watts of> actual wall plug power consumption. Am I being overly> pessimistic?> > David> > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jeff Behary" <electrotherapy@xxxxxxxxxxx>> To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>> Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:42 PM> Subject: [TCML] How about some Tesla Coiling?> > > > Chip,> > I have a challange for everyone, including me. In the early days, when > Tesla's coils were used for everyday attainable things, like powering an > X-Ray tube or lighting some Geissler tubes, there are a bunch of table top > models of machines like this:> http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/2006/MiscOscillators/index.htm> > In many texts, the smaller versions of these coils are described as making a > 6" spark with 5 - 30 watts of input power. I think as a collective group of > enthusiasts we should work on something similar - something attainable, on > topic, and still requiring a fair amount of skill to accomplish. I am > willing to give space on my website for this topic, coil photos, etc. - I > think its a great opportunity to demonstrate the efficiency of some of the > modern circuits people are using to replace the kicking coil design Tesla > originally used.> > (I can stick to the old designs because its all I know.)> > There is a point when all of the "theory" arguments are "point-less" to a > certain extent. I have a firm belief that until we can at least replicate > the simple things Tesla did, and get it right, we have no reason to expect > we can accomplish greater things, if that makes sense.> > 30 watts, 6 inch sparks. To Tesla it was child's play, as these little > units seemed to litter the tables of his labs in so many photos. In the > 1897 lecture he mentioned 12" with 35 watts of power, but maybe we can keep > it simple to start!> > Jeff Behary> _________________________________________________________________> Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser!> http://biggestloser.msn.com/_______________________________________________> Tesla mailing list> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla> > _______________________________________________> Tesla mailing list> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
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