Re: [TCML] 4'-5' tesla coil sparks?

[Aron Koscho <kc5uto@xxxxxxxxx>]

If you're going to do this job, do it right. I have never seen a TC built
for under a few grand that is acceptable in a commercial environment, and I
have seen TC's built for 10's of grand fail in a commercial environment.
It's situations just like this one that make those of us doing TCs
professionally loose work.

Here's how it goes: Company X wants an HV effect but has no idea what they
are doing - they research the effect - they talk to someone with the
experience to do it right - they think it costs too much or the someone
tries to sell them something they can't actually see through to completion -
they shop for the lowest price - they build or buy for cheap - everyone has
the best intentions and high expectations - the equipment fails - it's fixed
- it fails again - repeat until company X gets fed up and wants nothing to
do with HV again, then tells everyone the meet how impossible it is to do.

This happens more than most hobbyists realize, at least until they find
themselves in the middle of it. I'm not doubting any ones ability as an
engineer, but doing this right is not just about engineering a coil that
works just like the one in your garage. I use more than $800 in material to
build my enclosures, let alone the coil. Take your time, design a good
system, and make them pay for the right parts. Whether or not you want to
donate your time is your business, but the more people that do this for free
the harder it will be for anyone to make money at it.

Aron


On Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 4:24 PM, Ed Wingate <ewing7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Jay,
>
> I was told by the person in the shop/warehouse that I was talking to an
> instructor at RIT and yes the conversation was about a Faraday cage for the
> Van de Graaff.  I don't recall a name.
>
> I have done Tesla coil demos at a  local school and welding supply store
> without a Faraday cage using my 6" coil putting out 6 to 7 foot arcs and had
> no problems with computer systems, computerized welding equipment or fire
> alarm systems.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Ed Wingate
>
>
> On 2/10/2011 2:59 PM, jhowson4@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
>> You might be right Ed,
>> Were you the individual I spoke to on the phone about a Faraday cage for
>> our Van De Graff in early April?
>>
>> They did specifically tell me that they were going to buy everything and
>> that none my my equipment stash was needed. They do also seem moderately
>> serious about trying to do this project. They have a large exhibit on energy
>> and the like that is beginning in June.
>> I think the answer to all this might be to simply assist in building a
>> small table top coil that outputs ~1' sparks or something in that range then
>> put it into a high mesh Faraday cage display case. Or just somehow convince
>> them to buy a coil from people who know what they are doing, ie. Resonance
>> Research.
>>
>> I am still going to finishing the designing this one though (I like
>> designing stuff), also I have been thinking about redoing my garage coil for
>> some time (its getting old) and is probably really far off from anything
>> close to max efficiency. =)
>>
>> On that note, does anyone have a table outlining optimum resonant
>> Frequency related to input power?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>> John "Jay" Howson IV
>>
>
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