[TCML] Considering a new coil build...

[Travis Tabbal <travis@xxxxxxxxxx>]

It's been a while, but I miss Tesla coiling. :)

I had purchased a number of useful parts before stopping years back, so
here's what I have and what I'm thinking. I'd love some thoughts from you
guys.

Power source: 10KVA Pig 14.4KV

Control: 3 giant variacs (I forget the rating). I planned to use 2 to
control voltage and modify one for inductive current control. They are
currently stacked with a motor drive for the brushes. I planed to remove the
motor and one of the variacs. The other 2 will remain ganged up and I'll
move the shaft by hand with a big plastic wheel or something. There may be
better ways to handle this bit. I might be able to obtain an old arc welder
for the ballast.

Cap: MMC. To be determined. Ideas welcome.

Secondary: 8" diameter ~30" long. What do people use as a form for these big
coils? I was thinking of drying some Sonotube or other cardboard tube and
coating with laminating epoxy or even just polyurathane. Or I could get
ambitious and try to make a fiberglass tube by adding a release agent to the
sonotube so I can slip the fiberglass off after curing. Considering AWG20
magnet wire. Works out to about 1000 turns. Need a source for that much wire
in one spool. The 11lb spools on EBay and such are too small. I need about
15lb if I'm figuring right.

Primary: Copper tube spiral. Probably .25". Need to run the calcs to get the
number of turns.

Gap: Async RSG. I'm thinking to try to build one with .25" G-10 and tungsten
electrodes. About 8" diameter. Construction tips welcome. Particularly
holding the flying electrodes in place. I'd like to have it be speed
controled, so I can vary break rate around a bit. Even if it's not realtime
adjustable.

Topload: I bought 2 8"x24" spun toroids in a group buy years ago. Still in
the box. It's a shame not to use them. They are so pretty. :)

I also have some RFI filters for the pig I think I bought on the list.

Note that I don't have a machine shop, though I do have a decent tool
collection both power and hand types. So I can't do fancy stuff like
machining electrode holders from bar stock. :) I can drill and tap it with
some acuracy, but nothing too special. No lathe or mill. :)
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla