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First DRSSTC Build

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H. Love

Sun May 26 2013, 05:35PM

Registered Member #13419 Joined: Thu Apr 11 2013, 01:35AM
Location:
Posts: 7

Hey,

I recently built a static spark gap Tesla coil with a friend of mine (here it is in action:

) but now I want to build DRSSTC. I have done some research on DRSSTCs, but it seems a bit overwhelming, so I was hoping you guys could help me out. I was wondering if there was a common place to start, like for a spark gap tesla coil you base everything off your NST. I want to build this coil from scratch because I get a much better understanding of how one works than if I just put together a kit. I have very little experience with electrical engineering (all I have is from my spark gap tesla coil), so I might ask some stupid questions. Nonetheless, I'm excited for this build!

-Henry Love

Here's a picture of my spark gap Tesla coil:

Graham Armitage

Sun May 26 2013, 08:07PM

Registered Member #6038 Joined: Mon Aug 06 2012, 11:31AM
Location: Salado, TX
Posts: 248

Hi Henry and welcome. Nice looking coil. Like many of us, the SG Tesla is what planted the virus for this incurable disease

I would refer you to this recent thread - http://4hv.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?153950 on getting started.

I personally started with a simple and pretty forgiving SSTC (Steve Ward design) before moving to a full DRSSTC. I am really glad I did that as there is a LOT to learn. Once you have that under your belt, I strongly suggest a kit from somewhere like Eastern Voltage Research. Will save you a ton of heartache and coin !! You will still learn all you need to by working through the instructions and reading old posts on 4HV.

Before you start invest in a decent dual trace Oscilliscope, and a signal generator - if you don't have a strong EE background and no scope, you will struggle. I do not believe I could build one without a scope and signal generator.

Anyway, that's how I got to where I am - for what it's worth.

Physics Junkie

Sun May 26 2013, 09:23PM

Registered Member #7267 Joined: Tue Oct 16 2012, 12:16AM
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 407

(Bushman I think that link is broken)

Bushman wrote ...

Before you start invest in a decent dual trace Oscilliscope, and a signal generator - if you don't have a strong EE background and no scope, you will struggle. I do not believe I could build one without a scope and signal generator.

I second that. Dual trace is a must but 4channel will make life that much easier, just depends on what you can find for a good price, or if money isn't an issue then go big

Also, I think that most people would recommend starting with a small sstc. But if you're confident in your experience that you can jump into a DRSSTC, then still start with a small coil. You will save yourself from many headaches and money as you will most definetly blow up plenty of transistors. In fact there a few different transistors that cost around 3-13 dollars each (to-247 package) which still pack a punch. You can build a small coil that is relatively inexpensive but with still an impressive output of sparks ranging from 1.5-3 ft or even more if properly heatsinked and low inductance build.

All in all, I would start with a certain frequency in mind and/or impedance to base your DRSSTC build off of, rather then spark length. Or if you go with a small sstc to start, I think everyone would recommend something like steve wards mini sstc5

zzz_julian_zzz

Mon May 27 2013, 02:11AM

Registered Member #3964 Joined: Thu Jun 23 2011, 03:23AM
Location: Valenzuela City
Posts: 332

Hi and Welcome,

You might want to start the inverter topology - solid state stuff...
(all other circuits such as controllers and modulators and feedback(sensors) will follow )

Steve Ward

Mon May 27 2013, 07:55AM

Registered Member #146 Joined: Sun Feb 12 2006, 04:21AM
Location: Austin Tx
Posts: 1055

I would suggest anyone wanting to get into SSTCs to first build a simple flyback driver. There are many to chose from, all of them are useful for learning so pick whichever one you think you can understand. This is a good stepping stone to understanding a SSTC and DRSSTC. Or you can just buy Dan's books/kits and dive in head first. I found it very useful to understand simple things like the 555 timer, and how mosfets, bjts and IGBTs work, and basic logic circuitry before attempting to build a SSTC.

HV Enthusiast

Mon May 27 2013, 12:22PM

Registered Member #15 Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068

I agree with Steve. A basic single MOSFET driver (flyback or SSTC) or even a half-bridge based SSTC is your best bet moving forward. We have all started here.

I would also recommend checking out both Steve's and Richie Burnett's SSTC websites. They have some of the best information available on the web. Steve has a lot of nice basic designs for SSTCs and Richie has similar SSTC designs and a lot of theory to back it up as well.

Steve's website:

Richie's website:

H. Love

Mon May 27 2013, 05:01PM

Registered Member #13419 Joined: Thu Apr 11 2013, 01:35AM
Location:
Posts: 7

Hey guys,
Thanks for all of your responses. I think I am going to start off with Steve Ward's Mini SSTC-5 and see where that takes me. Also, does anybody have any recommendations for what scope and/or signal generator to get (nothing too expensive, but something that you think would get the job done)?

Physics Junkie

Mon May 27 2013, 06:02PM

Registered Member #7267 Joined: Tue Oct 16 2012, 12:16AM
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 407

H. Love wrote ...

nothing too expensive

Budget will probably be your limiting factor. The inexpensive route would be to check eBay for used analog scopes Preferably local to you that you might be able to pick up rather than risk damage in shipping., at least 2 channel 100mhz. As for function generator, look for one that has sine wave and square wave, and allows you to change amplitude or adjust voltage output. The one thing I would recommend to buy brand new is the scope probes. On the other hand, I think a function generator is more useful for DRSSTC troubleshooting, you probably don't need it for the mini sstc unlessyou have other uses for it of course, but you will definetly find it useful for future projects anyways

Thomas W

Mon May 27 2013, 06:18PM

Registered Member #3324 Joined: Sun Oct 17 2010, 06:57PM
Location:
Posts: 1276

Yeh, ive been beening to build a sstc for a long while, followed EVR's link and ive just brought some of the stuff for the HF SSTC on Richie's site

Graham Armitage

Tue May 28 2013, 01:52AM

Registered Member #6038 Joined: Mon Aug 06 2012, 11:31AM
Location: Salado, TX
Posts: 248

I picked up a used tektronix dual trace scope (100MHz) for $90 including two probes on ebay. Not the best scope, but enough to allow me to see what's going on.

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