[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: Miniature Tesla Coil
Hi all,
Replying to Dave Huffman in particular but also generally...
> After becoming a list member a couple of months ago I have
> started seeing resonators everywhere. As a result when I
> repaired my sink drain a week ago and had a piece of
> 1-1/2" dia plastic 5-1/2" long. Having some 28ga. wire laying
> around I decided to wind a miniature secondary to see what
> kind of spark I could make.
> I know this is contrary to what I read here, but it's a learning
> experiance and easy and inexpensive to do 'what if stuff'.
>
> The primary is 3/16" copper tube starting with a dia of 4"
> and ending at 6-1/2" making about 5-1/2 turns. The cap is
> a 20kv doorknob 650pf. Power is supplied by a 15kv 30ma
> neon. I've topped the secondary with a brass door knob
> 2-1/8". I have 5 spark gaps in the primary circuit.
>
> Before I tell the results I would like to solicit comments from
> the group as to expected performance.
Generally on the subject of primaries, my researches suggest that
two things : a low inductance secondary will work best with a low
inductance primary (it appears that Lp needs to track Ls somewhat)
and secondly, high power demands high Lp for best performance.
I reckon you should be able to achieve a couple of feet if
clearances don't become a problem which may well happen with the
secondary height you are using.
How did I do? :)
Malcolm