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Im building a new tesla coil and found plans on a SSTC that im currently putting together. Here is the website:
This Tesla Coil requires the use of 3- 500pf 10kv doorknob capacitors. Unfortunately I have only found these on one site and they are over in china for $20 each. Im trying to find something within the states.(USA(
I found 500pf 12.5kv doorknob capacitors but am not sure if it would be safe to use? I think it would because the plans require a standard automotive coil to be used. Well a standard automotive coil is about 30kv. So a 12.5kv capacitor I think would be just fine because it shouldn't exceed 30kv anyways right?
Im building a new tesla coil and found plans on a SSTC that im currently putting together. Here is the website:
This Tesla Coil requires the use of 3- 500pf 10kv doorknob capacitors. Unfortunately I have only found these on one site and they are over in china for $20 each. Im trying to find something within the states.(USA(
I found 500pf 12.5kv doorknob capacitors but am not sure if it would be safe to use? I think it would because the plans require a standard automotive coil to be used. Well a standard automotive coil is about 30kv. So a 12.5kv capacitor I think would be just fine because it shouldn't exceed 30kv anyways right?
Any thoughts?
Well the page certainly has an interesting name to that coil! Just to be clear, the page in fact describes a conventional spark gap Tesla Coil, and not the Solid State Coils that people are familiar with today. The difference between the coil described in the page and a conventional spark gap coil is that the high voltage transformer is replaced with an ignition coil and a circuit to drive the ignition coil - that's what he refers to when he says 'solid state'.
For a more conventional SSTC, I wrote a page describing it:
Answering your question, the page calls for a 1.5nF 10kV doorknob capacitor, so using 3 of your 12.5kV ones should work fine if you follow that page. For tesla coils though, people usually use polypropylene film capacitors. Personally, I'd simply buy a small NST or OBIT and work from there, or build a conventional SSTC :)
Im building a new tesla coil and found plans on a SSTC that im currently putting together. Here is the website:
This Tesla Coil requires the use of 3- 500pf 10kv doorknob capacitors. Unfortunately I have only found these on one site and they are over in china for $20 each. Im trying to find something within the states.(USA(
I found 500pf 12.5kv doorknob capacitors but am not sure if it would be safe to use? I think it would because the plans require a standard automotive coil to be used. Well a standard automotive coil is about 30kv. So a 12.5kv capacitor I think would be just fine because it shouldn't exceed 30kv anyways right?
Any thoughts?
Well the page certainly has an interesting name to that coil! Just to be clear, the page in fact describes a conventional spark gap Tesla Coil, and not the Solid State Coils that people are familiar with today. The difference between the coil described in the page and a conventional spark gap coil is that the high voltage transformer is replaced with an ignition coil and a circuit to drive the ignition coil - that's what he refers to when he says 'solid state'.
For a more conventional SSTC, I wrote a page describing it:
Answering your question, the page calls for a 1.5nF 10kV doorknob capacitor, so using 3 of your 12.5kV ones should work fine if you follow that page. For tesla coils though, people usually use polypropylene film capacitors. Personally, I'd simply buy a small NST or OBIT and work from there, or build a conventional SSTC :)
Well thats good to know lol Oh well, guess I have half a SSTC and a SPTC.
Ive already soldered up the main board, and bought the 18v transformer. Also already spun the secondary coil.
I just need the capacitors and primary coil now.
I guess after I finish this one ill build an actual SSTC. Any good places for plans? Ill read up on your page as well!
Registered Member #4074
Joined: Mon Aug 29 2011, 06:58AM
Location: Australia
Posts: 335
Are you using an ignition coil or flyback for the high voltage source? For an SGTC like this, an ignition coil would probably be much easier, since you would need to protect the HV diodes in the flyback from RF spikes. Luckily, old ignition coils are usually dirt cheap and common, plus they can handle repeated voltage spikes in the region of 30 kV without too much risk.
And once you're finished with this spark gap coil, you can use the driver circuit and the ignition coil as a stand-alone generic HV power supply, and re-use your coil assembly for the SSTC.
The spark gap described on that page is a little feeble, some small brass spheres or threaded rod from a furniture maker or hardware store would be a quick'n'cheap upgrade, providing longer run times before the electrodes overheat. Tungsten is always stated to be the best choice, but it's quite expensive and definitely overkill for these power levels.
Registered Member #54263
Joined: Thu Jan 15 2015, 09:54AM
Location: Perth
Posts: 35
If you want to use ignition coils, then you should keep in mind the fact, that they can produce VERY high voltages, up to 30-40kV In fact, the voltage in your primary will be set by your spark gap (SG) in case of static gap. Usually it is considered that 1mm of SG is equal to 1 kV. So, making an SG of 7-8mm will provide you approx. 10 kV, which is OK for your capacitors. If you want to make rotary gap (RSG), then maximum voltage is a function of BPS (discharges per second) and capacitance. Safety tip is to spin up RSG to hundreds BPS before switching on ignition.
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Building a SSTC and have question about capacitors
