new member seeking advice.

[shogun94]

I’m a new member to this sight and I am looking for advice on a tesla coil kit.

I am interested in a tesla kit and have been looking at the oneTeslaTS for about $400 or a BTC30 from amazing1 for $500.  I know the oneTeslaTS can play music and that’s one difference but can anyone comment on how the two stack up against each other as far as the build process (diffilculty/time), actual power output once complete, tuneability, reliability  etc?  Is there something else in the price range for a kit I should consider?

Thanks,
DB

[oneKone]

welcome to the forum shogun.

I personally have never owned a kit from either oneTesla or amazing1, simply because i enjoy building tesla coils. While i think both kits are fantastic in their own way, have you considered making your own sstc/sgtc at all? the process can seem a bit full on at first but it really is rewarding. In no way would i want to sway you from buying a kit from these companies, as i think both are great.... but i'll leave a link to a few of Mads Barnkob (the creator of this form) sstcs and another how to guide from Gao Guangyan. I think it would be worth having a quick skim over the coils linked to first see if you would rather build your own, especially for much cheaper than kits are available for.

Mads coils
sstc i: http://kaizerpowerelectronics.dk/tesla-coils/kaizer-sstc-i/
sstc ii: http://kaizerpowerelectronics.dk/tesla-coils/kaizer-sstc-ii/
sstc iii: http://kaizerpowerelectronics.dk/tesla-coils/kaizer-sstc-iii/

how to guide from Gao: http://www.loneoceans.com/labs/sstc2/

[pentode]

I agree with all that except the SSTC 2  is a full  bridge and maybe best for a beginner
to make the half bridge first.

[Mads Barnkob]

Hi Shogun and welcome to HVF

I have only bought kits for interrupters like oneTesla MIDI interrupter and a few others. Since they are fairly priced, which I certainly do not think their coil kits are. 400-500$ for such a small coil is grossly overpriced, but could be the only way to get a Tesla coil for people that do not know about electronics.

So first, how good are you at electronics? How much tools do you have at hand? Do you have an oscilloscope etc?

For 400$ you can build a much better and bigger Tesla coil, or you can build one of same size for much less money.

You could check out ebay for a pre-wound secondary coil as that has one of the best saved-time to money ratios of all the parts needed.

Steve Wards SSTC2, which all my SSTCs are based around is a perfect place to start out as a beginner in high voltage.

Looking forward to help you build a Tesla coil!

[pentode]

I wish all new comers and others seeking advice would thank folk who give them
such advice.

It just spoils in for others who maybe seeking advice as the advanced members probably
get pissed off not getting a 'thank you' for advice received.