Which power supply should i use for my spark gap tesla coil

[ElectroNex]

Hello im Nex, im currently building my first spark gap tesla coil. I am looking for a power supply. Im looking for something around 450-500 Watts of power and it has to be powered by 220v 50hz. I dont want it to be an NST since i cant find any affordable ones in my price range and countries shops plus MOTS in my country are needed so the scrapyard sells one for almost 60 us dollars any ideas what i could use. ive been at car ignition coils but i dont know since their also hard to find.
 

Contact Me Personally at: noahstoessel@icloud.com
Sincerely, Electro Nex

[MRMILSTAR]

For a SGTC these are your possibilities that I am aware of:

1. NST
2. MOT
3. OBIT (oil burner ignition transformer)
4. Instrumentation transformer
5. Distribution transformer (pole transformer)

Unfortunately, if $60 is too expensive then I don't think you can use any of these. Maybe you will get lucky and find a discarded one.

[Felix M.]

Hi Nex,
The cheapest option is the MOT for sure but it comes with its downsides. They don't really have the voltage to fire the spark gap and they get way to hot. The large current output also heats up your spark gap. OBITs deliver the necessary voltage but they are designed for short operation. My OBIT died after about 2 minutes due to secondary overheating. My advice is to get an (old) and cheap NST because they have the voltage and the ability to operate continiously. Since most NST hardly reach the 500W mark and you probably want something more powerful, you can add multiple in parallel.

Greetings,
Felix

[ElectroNex]

For a SGTC these are your possibilities that I am aware of:

1. NST
2. MOT
3. OBIT (oil burner ignition transformer)
4. Instrumentation transformer
5. Distribution transformer (pole transformer)

Unfortunately, if $60 is too expensive then I don't think you can use any of these. Maybe you will get lucky and find a discarded one.

if it is possible could you give me a site that sells NST's for 60 dollars since the NST im looking at are between 250-600 dollars a piece

[ElectroNex]

Hi Nex,
The cheapest option is the MOT for sure but it comes with its downsides. They don't really have the voltage to fire the spark gap and they get way to hot. The large current output also heats up your spark gap. OBITs deliver the necessary voltage but they are designed for short operation. My OBIT died after about 2 minutes due to secondary overheating. My advice is to get an (old) and cheap NST because they have the voltage and the ability to operate continiously. Since most NST hardly reach the 500W mark and you probably want something more powerful, you can add multiple in parallel.

Greetings,
Felix

understood do you have any recommendations for a budget of around 100-150 dollar budget max

[Felix M.]

You should spend your money on the transformer because in my oppinion it's the most crucial part of small SGTCs since larger coils require a larger budget. You can for example make your tank cap from tinfoil and beer bottles which costs nothing. The transformer however is the base for a good operation. If you spend some time on ebay, you will find a NST for cheap. Please don't expect any large results like 1m arcs with a budget tesla coil.

[ElectroNex]

You should spend your money on the transformer because in my oppinion it's the most crucial part of small SGTCs since larger coils require a larger budget. You can for example make your tank cap from tinfoil and beer bottles which costs nothing. The transformer however is the base for a good operation. If you spend some time on ebay, you will find a NST for cheap. Please don't expect any large results like 1m arcs with a budget tesla coil.

i have discovered a good power supply only 420 watts but when i need more power i can always order another one  its 420 watts but should work just fine: Allanson SS1235ICH my only concern is that it needs a 120v input so i will need to buy a good very effective stepdown transformer since it demands high current input does it look good to you

[Felix M.]

The transformer itself looks good. 12kV at 35mA is quite nice. I would however think twice since you live in a 220V country. Try to find one with a fitting primary voltage because in the end it'll probably be cheaper.

[ElectroNex]

The transformer itself looks good. 12kV at 35mA is quite nice. I would however think twice since you live in a 220V country. Try to find one with a fitting primary voltage because in the end it'll probably be cheaper.

will do thanks for all the help btw will try to look for something

[ElectroNex]

The transformer itself looks good. 12kV at 35mA is quite nice. I would however think twice since you live in a 220V country. Try to find one with a fitting primary voltage because in the end it'll probably be cheaper.

You should spend your money on the transformer because in my oppinion it's the most crucial part of small SGTCs since larger coils require a larger budget. You can for example make your tank cap from tinfoil and beer bottles which costs nothing. The transformer however is the base for a good operation. If you spend some time on ebay, you will find a NST for cheap. Please don't expect any large results like 1m arcs with a budget tesla coil.

thank you for making me look farther i found something close enough 12kv 30mA plus its shipping from germany with amazon prime so i think this will be the one i go with https://www.amazon.de/-/en/EVTSCAN-NP-12000-30-Electronic-Transformer-Supply/dp/B092ZW4WWB/ref=sr_1_11?crid=30VQ74L8RC55S&keywords=neon+sign+transformer&qid=1685472264&sprefix=neon+sign+transformer%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-11 could you just confirm if this will work before i order it plus i like that its 220-240v input

[alan sailer]

Sorry that used NST are so expensive.

I don't know for a fact, but many modern electronic neon sign transformers have a lot of fault protection circuitry. This MAY mean that it will not react well to the more chaotic SGTC environment...

Sorry that I can't give you a more definitive answer.

In my own case I bought several of these modern high frequency neon sign supplies and they turn out to be useless for powering plasma tubes because of the fault circuity. They would start up, not get the expected load and shut down.

Cheers.

[ElectroNex]

Sorry that used NST are so expensive.

I don't know for a fact, but many modern electronic neon sign transformers have a lot of fault protection circuitry. This MAY mean that it will not react well to the more chaotic SGTC environment...

Sorry that I can't give you a more definitive answer.

In my own case I bought several of these modern high frequency neon sign supplies and they turn out to be useless for powering plasma tubes because of the fault circuity. They would start up, not get the expected load and shut down.

Cheers.

thank you very much with the help a nice guy on this forum i have been able to find something cheap and effective but thanks for the advice

[Felix M.]

Yeah alan is right! That's why I wrote (old) just because the old designs are more resistent to abuse. Try to get an old one in good shape. You can find an example of a NST I would buy in the link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115811984481?hash=item1af6eea461:g:SmEAAOSwdWNka7zB . If you allready bought the one you mentioned, it'll work fine I think. Just keep an eye on the clock while running and don't let it run for too long.

[ElectroNex]

Yeah alan is right! That's why I wrote (old) just because the old designs are more resistent to abuse. Try to get an old one in good shape. You can find an example of a NST I would buy in the link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115811984481?hash=item1af6eea461:g:SmEAAOSwdWNka7zB . If you allready bought the one you mentioned, it'll work fine I think. Just keep an eye on the clock while running and don't let it run for too long.

let me look at some stuff my look for something soviet idk

[Felix M.]

Most of the time you get really nice things from the soviet union when it comes to electronic components. Back then they produced large vacuum tubes, pulse capacitors, doorknob capacitors, etc...
The best thing is they are cheap relative to the components you get today.

[ElectroNex]

Most of the time you get really nice things from the soviet union when it comes to electronic components. Back then they produced large vacuum tubes, pulse capacitors, doorknob capacitors, etc...
The best thing is they are cheap relative to the components you get today.

couldnt find anything old with the ratings i need either too underpowered or in very very rough condition so idk

[NyaaX_X]

If you are making a little SGTC. You can use a "ZVS oscillator". And the high voltage transformer can choose an arc welding machine or CRT TV "Flyback transformer".