Hi Amir,
First, we need to get your input power determined...
Your Lincoln Arc Welder if it is the AC-225 model "buzz box" at the lowest
knob setting of 40A does not put out that number when wired up as a ballast
on 240V.
That setting will be barely 5A according to a chart in a book I have. And
at the maximum knob setting of 225A will be about 25A maximum on 240V.
You will need TWO of these welders in parallel if you really are after 40A
at 240V, which is very close to the continuous output nameplate rating of
the 10kVA pole transformer.
So this would approximately be around 650mA at 14,400V if 40A at 240V if I
did my math correctly :^)
I will say I have not used this welder method myself and again mentioning
that this is a chart in a book I have on Tesla coils. These numbers can
vary some under multiple circumstances, but I think these are very close.
Hopefully others will soon chime in that have actually used this welder
model and confirm what I have offered from the source I have.
Chris Reeland
Ladd Illinois USA
Sent from my Lenovo YT-X705F
On Tue, Sep 5, 2023, 5:57 PM Steve White <steve.white1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hello Amir,
>
> A 40 amp current draw will be a significant coil. The "optimum"
> capacitance is one that is fully charged at the end of each RSG break.
> "Optimum" in this sense means that you will be fully charging the
> capacitor. Of coarse it will work fine if not fully charged, you just will
> not be achieving maximum streamer length. There is no optimum secondary
> diameter as far as I know. What you do want is an aspect ratio
> (length/diameter) of 3 to 5 for the secondary coil. Use JAVATC to try
> different parameters. One of the outputs of JAVATC is capacitor charge at
> the end of each RSG break. You can never achieve 100% charge because that
> would theoretically take an infinite amount of time so I would shoot for
> 95% charge. Use whatever maximum current that is available to achieve that.
> I use a 3x voltage derating for my Maxwell capacitors just for reliability.
> My 6.5 KVA pole transformer-powered coil has been operating for 5 years
> with no problem.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tesla Coil List" <tcml@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Tesla Coil List" <tcml@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: "Amir Mojarradi" <amojarradi@xxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 1:11:06 PM
> Subject: [TCML] Pole Transformer Coil Design Guidance
>
> Hi all,
>
> I was wondering if I could ask for guidance on a Tesla coil I am working
> on - I want to make the smallest Tesla coil (primary and secondary) with
> the supplies I have:
>
> - 10kVA pole transformer (240V/14400V)
> - a Lincoln Arc Welder (as a current-limiting ballast for the pole
> transformer)
> - (2) 0.22uf 50kv Maxwell capacitors (could be in series for 0.11uf)
> - (2) 0.03uf, 35kv Maxwell capacitors (could be in parallel for 0.06uf)
> - Copper Tube Gap Spark Gap
> - Async Rotary Spark Gap w/ Black and Decker Motor
>
> If I run the pole transformer with the current-limiting welder set to the
> lowest setting (ie, 40A), what would be the optimal tank capacitance value
> to use?
>
> Also, on the lowest setting of the welder, what would be the advised
> minimum diameter for a secondary coil (ie, would a “4 inch secondary be too
> small?) and the minimum thickness of a primary coil (ie, would 1/4” copper
> tubing be too thin)?
>
> Any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Will report back with photos as I progress!
>
> Thanks!
> Amir
>
>
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