Re: [TCML] Building my first tesla coil

[bartb <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jeremy,

And welcome! Gary and DC have mentioned the main points of advice.
Sometimes for new coilers, it is advisable to first attempt to copy
another coilers design. For a first design, a static spark gap coil is
what I would recommend. Given the components you have on hand and would
obviously like to use for the coil, look at what other coilers have done
which are similar. Most coilers websites have links to other coilers
websites, and so on (a fun little world).

I am responsible for the Javatc program.
http://www.classictesla.com/java/javatc.html

If you choose to use this during any of your progress and have
questions, just email me directly (off the TCML so that the TCML is nit
clogged up with Javatc questions). This program has a DEMO button that
inserts input values of a bare bones static gap little 4.5" diameter
coil. The only thing odd is that I am driving the coil with a high
current NST. A 9kV/30mA NST of course could not perform like this.

Here are some pics of the default coil used (a real coil) in action.
http://www.classictesla.com/photos/ba45/ba45.html

This coil used the Cornell Dubilier caps that Gary mentioned. It is a
very simple static gap coil, except that the power was increased by
removing shunts from a 12kV/60mA NST (not a task I would recommend
anyone unless your geared mentally for punishment).

Best regards,
Bart


Jeremy wrote:
> Greetings to all,
>  
> I have just started on tesla coil building, and as such am quite a dunce in most aspects. So far i have managed to get 7 MOTs, 1 MOT cap, 1 NST rated 9 kV 30 mA, 1 large unrated NST, 26137 micro F worth of 400VDC caps, 216000 micro F worth of 350VDC caps (36x 350VDC 6000 micro F caps), 20350 micro F worth of 200VDC caps, 18900 micro F worth of 150 VDC caps, 20600 micro F worth of 100VDC caps as well as about 10 kg of 0.5mm magnet wire, all from junk shops. One thing to note is that all those caps are polar aluminium electrolytic types, so i don't know if they can be used in a tesla coil at all. I also managed to pick up a power supply unit for a smashed He/Ne laser, but doubt that will be of much good here.
>  
> I had half the mind to build a 15.4 kJ cap bank for EM propulsion, but decided that I am untimately still more interested in building a tesla coil. This is the first time I am meddling with HV stuff on this scale, and as such i think i really need lots of good advice from experienced builders.
>  
> I am based in Singapore, and the local power supply is at 240V 50 Hz. I am also trying to acquire a pole pig or 2, though those would have to be imported as there are no overhead power lines here, as well as those big ceramic power grid caps which would serve well in a big tesla coil.
>  
> Any design advice would be much appreciated.
>  
> thanks and regards,
> jeremy
> _________________________________________________________________
> See all the ways you can stay connected to friends and family
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/default.aspx
> _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list
> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
>
>   
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla