On 05/20/2012 03:17 PM, Dylan Sumner wrote:
Hey dudes, I recently got turned onto amateur electronics and more specifically tesla coils. The main reason for this is for end game, powering a lifter, using the Befield-Brown effect, and from what i understand, these things can supply the types of power levels im looking for. Everything is going well so far, just picked up a NST , 15kv 30ma, and started the build. Its a small one, made some salt water caps, wired everything up according to the plans found online, (pretty simple), but am running into some issues. Specifically, its not working LOL (spark gap isnt triggering at all). Ive heard the with these types of DYI caps, a large amount might be required for the type of NST im using, 30ma. Basically im lookin for some advice on different things to try, ive read about the miniature cap cell/grid and those look interesting. But im new to this stuff and not prepared ot jump in that deep yet. Any advice to a new coiler, wheher it be books, website, personal info, or anything would be greatly appreciated. I can tell im going to get pretty deep into this stuff. Anyways thanks,
Hi Dylan, what is the width of the gap in your spark gap? You should be able to get at least a spark across the gap if the gap electrodes are close enough (ie, a little closer than is required for them to spark when you just place the spark gap in parallel with the NST).
It might help to know what plans you are working from, and to double and triple check all of the connections. Do you have any way to measure the capacitance of your capacitors? If not, there are some websites that can give you a rough approximation if you are using, say, glass bottles with known dimensions (glass thickness, area of glass covered by salt water). This is one site with such a calculator, although I haven't used this one in ages: http://pokusy.chytrak.cz/programy/calculat.html )
One thing to watch out for is to make sure that your capacitor value is not of a value which will be in resonance with your NST; this can lead to a situation known as "resonant rise", where the voltage will rise higher than that generated by the NST, and can possibly lead to a failure of your NST. Recommended values, depending upon spark gap type and NST used, can be seen here: host.teslamad.com/mmc.pdf (from that page, a capacitance of 0.008uF is recommended).
For general theory, you can't beat Richie Burnett's page at: http://www.richieburnett.co.uk/tesla.shtml , and if you are looking for a good simulator, you will fine none better than Bart's JAVA TC at: http://www.classictesla.com/java/javatc.html
Jon _______________________________________________ Tesla mailing list Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla