Sparks for beginners
Tesladownunder, Sun Oct 15 2006, 05:36PMHere is a project for beginners for fast sparks with a minimum component count.
It uses a relay as a vibrator to turn current on and off rapidly to an ignition coil.
Parts
1 12V SPST relay (single pole single throw) Can also use DPST (double pole double throw).
2 1 microFarad capacitor (polyester - greencap) over 200V rating
3 Ignition coil (from wreckers)
4 Wood, nails and solder
5 Power supply. Need 12 volt at 4A. Or car battery (take out of car first)
Advantages
Simple
Non lethal but must take care with high voltage.
Parts fairly easily obtainable from different places (Electronics store, Wreckers)
Disadvantages
Draws a lot of power
Not efficient
Will over-heat the coil in long runs
Causes interference to some power supplies.
Relay lifetime will be limited.
Peter
Re: Sparks for beginners
Dr. Dark Current, Sun Oct 15 2006, 06:13PM
Can I see well that the relay coil will see >100V primary pulses??
Could not it break down?
Dr. Dark Current, Sun Oct 15 2006, 06:13PM
Can I see well that the relay coil will see >100V primary pulses??
Could not it break down?Re: Sparks for beginners
Marko, Sun Oct 15 2006, 06:22PM
I made such a thing very long ago. Exactly as same 2cm sparks (biggest problem is actually insulating the terminal of the iggie itself).
I'l post pics if I find it somewhere.
Marko, Sun Oct 15 2006, 06:22PM
I made such a thing very long ago. Exactly as same 2cm sparks (biggest problem is actually insulating the terminal of the iggie itself).
I'l post pics if I find it somewhere.
Re: Sparks for beginners
uzzors2k, Sun Oct 15 2006, 06:49PM
Thats pretty good. I tried a 555 timer powered driver @ 12volts and I got pretty cheap sparks. If I find a good relay I'll try this.
uzzors2k, Sun Oct 15 2006, 06:49PM
Thats pretty good. I tried a 555 timer powered driver @ 12volts and I got pretty cheap sparks. If I find a good relay I'll try this.
Re: Sparks for beginners
Tesladownunder, Mon Oct 16 2006, 12:43PM
I often get people with little experience wanting to make a Tesla coil as a first HV project. Often schoolkids looking to do a science fair project.
I have been very reluctant to encourage Tesla coil building in that age group. I've often had to point them off to other sites for simple HV projects.
This has been the motivation behind this little project. In fact it was the way I got into HV when I was 14 and I used a multivibrator out of a valve radio set to run two IC's. It is pretty safe and lots to learn and do with nothing really critical.
Photo shows the identical circuit running 2 coils in 1972.
Peter
Tesladownunder, Mon Oct 16 2006, 12:43PM
I often get people with little experience wanting to make a Tesla coil as a first HV project. Often schoolkids looking to do a science fair project.
I have been very reluctant to encourage Tesla coil building in that age group. I've often had to point them off to other sites for simple HV projects.
This has been the motivation behind this little project. In fact it was the way I got into HV when I was 14 and I used a multivibrator out of a valve radio set to run two IC's. It is pretty safe and lots to learn and do with nothing really critical.
Photo shows the identical circuit running 2 coils in 1972.
Peter
Re: Sparks for beginners
Marko, Mon Oct 16 2006, 01:48PM
Is that you on the pic tdu?
Marko, Mon Oct 16 2006, 01:48PM
Is that you on the pic tdu?
Re: Sparks for beginners
Tesladownunder, Fri Oct 20 2006, 03:34PM
Yep, thats me. I haven't changed a bit in the 34 years
The webpage bookmark is here for the details.
Peter
Tesladownunder, Fri Oct 20 2006, 03:34PM
Yep, thats me. I haven't changed a bit in the 34 years
The webpage bookmark is here for the details.
Peter
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