Tesla Coil Build Thread

[Down with Umbrella]

Links should be fixed.
I see, I know RF creates a stactic build up in objects I just wasn't sure without a coil how far this RF will charge. Interesting

 

[Sigurthr]

Saw your vids. Yep, looks like the TF will need a fixing, if you want to use it, IMO they're really not needed though (unless you're using an OBIT). The failure to fire is likely an atmospherics issue, I saw that a lot myself. Remember that without a primary/secondary resonator there is no circulating current. When you have resonance in there, there will be huge circulating currents, which helps the gap fire more reliably. I don't see any real issues so far outside of the TF. I'd make the resonator next, install it, and give it a session of setting the main gap for reliability, then work on tuning.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

I'm going to give this damn terry filter one more chance by putting it in an oil base. The way it's constructed it won't be hard.
With any luck I will build the top load tonight and secondary sometime later in the week.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

Alright so I have finished my top load. size is 4x18. sorry for the double post but I have an update.:shhh:
2 steel pans and one rigid dryer duct.
taping was tedious. there is somewhat of a bulge where the two ends joined. I tried to cut them at an angle but it wouldn't quite pull tight. aside from that minor shaping issue I think it came out alright.


So, what are your thoughts on using a fuse built in to the mains? according to my calculations and tesla map predictions the NSTs will have an output of 918W. the blower runs at .75A.
7.65A draw from the NSTs + the blower motor.
now I want to be able to run the blower and NSTs separately so im going to run another set of wires into my switch box. (each would have its own switch).
the AC line filter is rated for 6A hm.
hope my cords can handle the draw if I am running both off the same circuit.

oh, if I do put that base of the TF in oil I believe a mineral oil can be used? I have read up on it briefly.

 

[Sigurthr]

Yep, mineral oil works fine, just try to heat it up in a sauce pan to about 350F so that you drive off the water, it comes with a LOT of dissolved water.

Remember that if your powerfactor isn't close to 1 you'll have more current draw than calculated. I'd say if you're expecting 8A draw use a 15A slow-blow fuse.

Top load looks nice btw.

 

[nospin]

Nice work on the topcap, those bumps will be fine
I just built mine 8x30, huge

here are some pics

 

[USAbro]

Nice work on the topcap, those bumps will be fine
I just built mine 8x30, huge

here are some pics

Good work on that! I think all I'm going to have time for are pie pans.

I have my primary made from 20' of 1/4 inch copper pipe. It makes contact with the wood. Do you think that might be a problem?
Hopefully the wood is dry enough that it won't arc to it or loose energy that way.
I'll post images some time later, but pretty much what I did was, I layed the spiral tubing down on the wood. And on four sides I drilled a hole between each turn of tubing. So I could wire tie the tubing to the board. All looks good, a little sloppy but I'm just hoping to get some discharge off the topload for now. It easily tunable too, because I can connect the leads to any part of the primary I want.

Edit: Okay, as I promised here are the pictures. On the second image, you can see the underside of the top board of plywood, where the the black secondary ground wire can be seen along with one side of the primary pipe sticking through. You can also see the wire ties cut off. In the fourth image you can see a bolt next to the secondary, which is what the secondary ground is connected to. As I said about picture two, the black ground wire is also attached to the bolt.

I'm going to attach the black wire to a sheet of plywood, with six tent pegs through the board, making for a kind of ground board that can be pushed into the dirt.

 

[Sigurthr]

You're gonna have to insulate the wood with plastic. I used plexiglass but thin polyethylene cutting board sheets work fine.

 

[USAbro]

So a complete redo probably? Raise it up on a sheet of plastic?

Can I do the same thing, just lay a piece of plexi glass between the wood and everything else?

 

[Sigurthr]

Can I do the same thing, just lay a piece of plexi glass between the wood and everything else?

Bingo.

 

[nospin]

Yea high voltage and wood never mix

Cheap cutting board from target works great!

 

[USAbro]

Okay. They also sell a 3'x4' 5mm sheet of clear PVC (maybe PET) at home depot for about $10.

I'll probably use that.

Merry Christmas.

 

[nospin]

Okay. They also sell a 3'x4' 5mm sheet of clear PVC (maybe PET) at home depot for about $10.

I'll probably use that.

Merry Christmas.

Perfect

These are from a cutting board

 

[USAbro]

Oh wait, so are you saying the board needs to be suspended? I was just going to replace the top sheet of wood with plastic

Also, does my primary coil look like an okay setup meaning, is the pancake coil okay and is it okay that it doesn't look perfect?

 

[nospin]

oh, if I do put that base of the TF in oil I believe a mineral oil can be used? I have read up on it briefly.


Very cheap NON detergent motor oil is what I used

 

[nospin]

No just don't have the coils touching the wood and even up the spacing
between turns, it will arc between turns