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Registered Member #4398
Joined: Wed Feb 08 2012, 07:04PM
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Posts: 10
There are 2 things I’m wondering about when using saltwater caps as capacitor. First, I was reading up on some alternatives like using MMC capacitors and I noticed many people making calculations so there transformers capacitance would match that of their capacitor. Do I need to match capacitance of my saltwater caps with my transformer as well? If so, does anyone know where I can find the formula for calculating the capacitance on each saltwater cap and their voltage? I've looked almost everywhere and can't seem to find any formulas for saltwater caps :/
The second thing I’m wondering about is how big can the voltage difference be between the transformer and the capacitor? Is it ok to have a transformer that can produce 4000v and a capacitor that can handle 20k?
Registered Member #4108
Joined: Sun Sept 25 2011, 11:43PM
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Posts: 149
There almost is way to calculate capacitance on salt water capacitors, you can though if you know the characteristics of the dielectric, although the calcs will be inaccurate, you won't need to worry about voltage with salt water caps, but with MMC's typically should be rate twice (or more) of your supply voltage
Registered Member #4398
Joined: Wed Feb 08 2012, 07:04PM
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Posts: 10
Thanks for the response. But if I can’t calculate the capacitance on my saltwater caps. How am I supposed to know how many caps I need for my transformer? I’m using a neon sign transformer with 4000v 0,045A 50 hertz. calculated capacitance at 0,0348 uF
Registered Member #4398
Joined: Wed Feb 08 2012, 07:04PM
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Posts: 10
I guess I could use a multimeter for checking the capacitance but it seems like quite a tedious task checking the capacitance, adding another bottle, checking it again.. until desired capacitance is reached:s is their no other solution to get the preferred capacitance when using saltwater cap?
Registered Member #30
Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706
I don't know about plastic soda bottles, but beer bottles are about 1nF each.
Tesla's Colorado Springs Notes has a section on all the different bottles he tried for his capacitors. He measured the capacitance and also the breakdown voltage, by cranking up his experimental coil until the bottles shattered. Maniton mineral water was his favourite, but the data probably isn't too relevant to modern bottles.
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Using saltwater caps as capacitor for my tesla coil.
