I only run mine outdoors. I can't even imagine trying to run it in my workshop with a 9 foot ceiling. I can set it up outdoors in about 10 minutes.
----- Original Message -----
From: "charles rakes" <crakes29@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2017 6:23:08 PM
Subject: Re: [TCML] First coil
Great start. Several years ago I went to a dc design using a rotary gap
that both charges and discharges the primary capacitor. I'm running a
7,700 volt pole transformer with a variable input. I've only ran at about
180 vac in and getting about the same output you are now getting. I've
got a 14,400 pole transformer ready to use, however with the coil inside
I'm almost afraid to increase my input level. As I get older I am becoming
more careful:) Charles
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On Thu, Aug 10, 2017 at 11:33 AM, Steve White <steve.white1@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
> I just completed my first tesla coil. It is a large one. Here are the
> prime specs.
>
> * 8.6" secondary with 1410 turns
> * 8 x 10 toroid
> * Center line of toroid is 71" above ground plane as defined by javatc
> * 12-turn primary currently tapped at turn 10.5 ( all primary circuit
> "wiring" is done with 3/8" copper tubing)
> * 45 nf of capacitance using 6 Maxwell energy discharge capacitors in a
> series-parallel configuration with load balancing resistors
> * 10 kva pole pig running at 14,400 volts
> * Sophisticated control cabinet including 25-amp variac, ballast, RSG
> phase control, breakers, contactor, PFC capacitors (currently about 150
> uf), volt meters, current meters, EMI filters, MOVs, lockout switches,
> indicator lamps
> * Hand-made ballast with adjustable air gap currently set for 20 amps
> (similar to Richie Burnett's)
> * Rotary spark gap with one stationary 5/16" tunsten electrode and 4
> flying 1/8" tungsten electrodes turning at 3600 RPM
> * HV leads made from 10,000 volt AC Belden test lead wire threaded through
> PVC tubing for additional insulation. This is all surrounded by grounded
> copper braid for uniform field distribution and to protect against streamer
> strikes.
>
> I made extensive use of javatc to design this coil. I was confident in
> starting with a large coil because I am a retired electrical engineer thus
> I had a lot of knowledge about electrical theory. I also own my own mill,
> lathe, bandsaw, oscilloscope, and signal generator. Finally, I had the
> funds to muy and/or build quality parts.
>
> Even though this was my first coil, surprisingly it worked the first time
> that I fired it up. I am currently getting 6.5 foot power arcs. It should
> be getting up to about 8 feet according to javatc. I am continuing to
> adjust the primary tuning. I think I need to go a little lower in frequency
> to account for streamer capacitance.
>
> I do have a few questions concerning RF grounding. I currently have a
> copper-clad steel rod driven 3 feet into the ground for the RF ground. This
> is as deep as I could drive it. I may try a water boring rod to try and get
> deeper. I currently have the following connected to the RF ground.
>
> * Strike rail
> * RSG motor chassis
> * Copper braid shield around HV leads
> * Copper braid around RSG power cord
> * Pole pig case
>
> Does this sound about right?
>
> Steve White
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>
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