High Voltage Forum

Tesla coils => Solid State Tesla Coils (SSTC) => Topic started by: Andy Kay on June 12, 2018, 08:45:57 AM

Title: Newbie on a learning curve
Post by: Andy Kay on June 12, 2018, 08:45:57 AM

I recently bought a tiny Chinese "Tesla Coil" out of interest, and it prompted me to build a bigger version from some old plastic waste pipe, copper wire reclaimed from a discarded CRT-style TV, and an old metal slinky spring for a top load. I boned up on the Slayer Exciter circuit and built one to drive my coil. It resonates, and the coil causes fluorescent tubes to glow, but now I'm interested in getting some sparks from this thing. The dilemma I face is that I suspect that the Slayer Exciter is not powerful enough to get the sparks, and the alternative spark-gap driver would need to be tuned to the coil (which is an inconvenience that I avoided by using the Slayer Exciter). Any guidance for a complete novice would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Newbie on a learning curve
Post by: Mads Barnkob on June 12, 2018, 10:00:24 AM

First, get rid of that coat hanger primary coil and make one of proper copper wire :)

Then read this reply from oneKone, a SSTC is properly your best way of starting on a simple coil that can make some decent sparks: https://highvoltageforum.net/index.php?topic=399.msg2410#msg2410

Title: Re: Newbie on a learning curve
Post by: Andy Kay on June 12, 2018, 01:48:13 PM

Quote from: Mads Barnkob on June 12, 2018, 10:00:24 AM

First, get rid of that coat hanger primary coil and make one of proper copper wire :)

That primary coil is long gone, but I did find it useful to find the best number of turns for the primary.

Quote

Then read this reply from oneKone, a SSTC is properly your best way of starting on a simple coil that can make some decent sparks: https://highvoltageforum.net/index.php?topic=399.msg2410#msg2410

Thanks for the link Mads.

Title: Re: Newbie on a learning curve
Post by: Mads Barnkob on June 12, 2018, 02:45:51 PM

Quote from: Andy Kay on June 12, 2018, 01:48:13 PM

Quote from: Mads Barnkob on June 12, 2018, 10:00:24 AM

First, get rid of that coat hanger primary coil and make one of proper copper wire :)

That primary coil is long gone, but I did find it useful to find the best number of turns for the primary.

Quote

Then read this reply from oneKone, a SSTC is properly your best way of starting on a simple coil that can make some decent sparks: https://highvoltageforum.net/index.php?topic=399.msg2410#msg2410

Thanks for the link Mads.

Your secondary and topload should do fine for first adventures with a SSTC2 circuit.

So please keep us updated on your progress in this thread :)

Title: Re: Newbie on a learning curve
Post by: Andy Kay on June 12, 2018, 06:21:14 PM

Quote from: Mads Barnkob on June 12, 2018, 02:45:51 PM

Your secondary and topload should do fine for first adventures with a SSTC2 circuit.

So please keep us updated on your progress in this thread :)

Will do Mads, though it's a low priority task so progress will be slow.