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Registered Member #3641
Joined: Sun Jan 23 2011, 05:25PM
Location: Russia, Samara
Posts: 3
Hi everybody. I'm making my first Tesla Coil, so i decided to go for SGTC, because it is the cheapest and easyest way ( as i thought before ). I'm using the classic scheme where the spark gap is connected across the transformer ( it's Neon sign electronic tranformer, 10kV, 27mA. Additional details about it http://www.evertron.net/3210.htm ). I'm using the MMC, it's 8200pF, 25.6 kV.
Registered Member #3641
Joined: Sun Jan 23 2011, 05:25PM
Location: Russia, Samara
Posts: 3
So if i will have, for example, a diode bridge with smoothing capacitor, everything will work? Which way of rectyfying is the most suitable for high-voltage solid-state transformer?
Registered Member #2919
Joined: Fri Jun 11 2010, 06:30PM
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 652
@vidumec: You need some high-speed diodes. @Gregory: he doesn't even have breakdown in the spark gap, because the frequency of the SSNST is so high that the capacitor cannot charge over a half-cycle.
Registered Member #1408
Joined: Fri Mar 21 2008, 03:49PM
Location: Oracle, AZ
Posts: 679
If at all possible attempt to get a refund OR attempt to exchange it for a transformer based NST. Your solid sate unit MAY be able to be utilized for other forms of HV hobby but for a SGTC it simply is too much trouble especially for a non Electronic Engineer.
USED oil furnace units are VERY inexpensive (but they are ugly) - however they are very easily setup for your 1st SGTC. If the unit is new you may be able to either re-sell it or exchange it. Ideally attempting to make it function properly in it's condition will complicate matters to an extent that are better spent on correct tuning of a simpler design.
Registered Member #480
Joined: Thu Jul 06 2006, 07:08PM
Location: North America
Posts: 644
vidumec -
Just to make things clear, your "neon sign power supply" is not suitable for use in building your first Tesla coil. What you need is a conventional, iron-core neon-sign transformer (or an oil-burner ignition transformer) without any Ground Fault Protection or other electronic control features. Your "neon sign power supply" is a solid-state switching power supply that has all sorts of safety "features" that may prevent it from being used as a power supply for a Tesla coil (ground fault protection, over-current protection, over-voltage protection, etc.)
You will be have much greater chances of success if you start with a conventional neon sign transformer.
Registered Member #1225
Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253
Solid state HV transformers are not useless, that is like saying a flyback transformer is useless. If you where to buy around 20 uf4007 diodes and series them up, you could rectify the output. After that, the capacitor would charge, and it would work fine as a DC sgtc. You would want to use some sort of RF and HV spike filter, but really, i think if you are going to make a Tesla coil, regardless of transformer type, you should use a filter. It does not need a filter cap, that would actually be a bad idea because the filter cap would discharge through the spark gap.
I would say the only advantage of a 60hz transformer is that it is much tougher, and it also requires no diode. Using DC has plenty of advantages. Regardless of speed of a RSG, if applicable, the coil will operate efficiently. An AC coil needs the spark gap to be 'on' right at every half-wave's peak. With DC, the caps are charged in only on polarity.
Both are equal in difficulty in the case of a sgtc, minus the fact that a HF AC transformer, including the rectifier, is more prone to damage from HF and HV kicks.
Registered Member #3641
Joined: Sun Jan 23 2011, 05:25PM
Location: Russia, Samara
Posts: 3
Thanks guys! One more thing. It seems that my solid-state transformer has higher frequency, than just typical NST, is it right? Also i thought, that output frequency is the same, as input.
Registered Member #1408
Joined: Fri Mar 21 2008, 03:49PM
Location: Oracle, AZ
Posts: 679
Arcstarter wrote ...
Solid state HV transformers are not useless, that is like saying a flyback transformer is useless. If you where to buy around 20 uf4007 diodes and series them up, you could rectify the output. After that, the capacitor would charge, and it would work fine as a DC sgtc. You would want to use some sort of RF and HV spike filter, but really, i think if you are going to make a Tesla coil, regardless of transformer type, you should use a filter. It does not need a filter cap, that would actually be a bad idea because the filter cap would discharge through the spark gap.
I was under the impression that most modern solid state neon sign units have a protective filter (of sorts) that keeps them from arcing (in effect a short circuit) and shut down for a period similar to a ground fault device. This is untrue? If it is able to "arc" effectively have folks shied away from them solely due to the filter complications? Briefly, it seems that if it could be used in a SGTC there may be alterations which would allow it much more flexibility as well as potential in design that the xformer-based design.
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Need help. No sparks in spark gap
