Newbie on a learning curve

[Andy Kay]

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.

[Mads Barnkob]

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

[Andy Kay]

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.

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.

[Mads Barnkob]

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.

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

[Andy Kay]

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.