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Really minimalistic Tesla Coil UPDATED 12/22/2007

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flannelhead

Mon Dec 10 2007, 02:25PM

Registered Member #952 Joined: Mon Aug 13 2007, 11:07AM
Location: Finland
Posts: 388

Hello!

Some time ago I started to think of building a really minimalistic spark gap Tesla coil. I made one prototype with a transformer from a disposable camera and a CW multiplier on its output. For capacitor I used a Leyden jar made out of a film can. Secondary had ~400 turns and primary 4 turns. The whole thing was powered with 2 AAA batteries in series. It ran very nicely at a good frequency for a little time and gave also nice little streamers, but then I got fed up with charging the batteries (they ran out very quickly). For some reason I disassembled the whole thing then (don't remember why). Now I've got much better batteries (2xAA 2500 mAh each), and I'm gonna assemble the coil again. I'll post pictures and results as soon as possible.

Any comments and suggestions would be also welcome!

UPDATE 12/16/2007:
Now initially assembled. Power: 2.4volts (AAA batteries), two camera transformers with one 4-stage CW. Capacitor homemade, foil wrapped on outside and inside of a glass jar. Got some breakdown (nothing too impressive, can't be seen in bright environment.) I will post pictures soon!

UPDATE 12/17/2007:
Now got some pictures! Enjoy!

UPDATE 12/22/2007:
Tried putting a ferrite rod inside the secondary. Works much better, but it's no more a tesla coil. After Xmas holidays I will post it to the projects board with better specs and pics (and maybe video!)
But for now,
Merry Christmas!

Spedy

Mon Dec 10 2007, 04:06PM

Registered Member #964 Joined: Wed Aug 22 2007, 12:39AM
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 134

Wow, that sounds really cool. Did you have to free-form the CW? I never got the hang of free-forming. Any way, thats pretty cool. You should put it in a box and try to go for "worlds smallest SPTC" lol.

Can't wait to see it.

flannelhead

Tue Dec 11 2007, 01:31PM

Registered Member #952 Joined: Mon Aug 13 2007, 11:07AM
Location: Finland
Posts: 388

Spedy wrote ...

Wow, that sounds really cool. Did you have to free-form the CW? I never got the hang of free-forming. Any way, thats pretty cool. You should put it in a box and try to go for "worlds smallest SPTC" lol.

Can't wait to see it.

Yes, I had to freeform the CW. It's not as hard as you think. You must first make two strings of capacitors, then solder the diodes in series in a form like this: WW
Then just solder the cap strings to the sides of the diode string (look at the CW schematic, it will give you much better idea about that)

I'm trying to assemble it as soon as possible, at last after the Christmas.

Spedy

Wed Dec 12 2007, 01:01AM

Registered Member #964 Joined: Wed Aug 22 2007, 12:39AM
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 134

Hmm, thanks. I've tried it w/ parts from camera flashes and got discouraged.

Now I've got like 18 extra diodes cause of accidental over-ordering for my SSTC project.

Anyway, still can;t wait to see that awesome mini-SGTC.

CT2

Wed Dec 12 2007, 03:10AM

Registered Member #180 Joined: Thu Feb 16 2006, 02:12AM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 187

I did something pretty similar to this, only instead of a TC primary/secondary, I pulsed it into a flyback and got a few inch sparks. The tesla coil sounds cool though, I'll have to try it after exams. How big were the streamers it made? Also how many stages did you use on your multiplier?

flannelhead

Wed Dec 12 2007, 01:29PM

Registered Member #952 Joined: Mon Aug 13 2007, 11:07AM
Location: Finland
Posts: 388

CT2 wrote ...

I did something pretty similar to this, only instead of a TC primary/secondary, I pulsed it into a flyback and got a few inch sparks. The tesla coil sounds cool though, I'll have to try it after exams. How big were the streamers it made? Also how many stages did you use on your multiplier?

Well, with my absolutely non-optimized coil it gave some 5-8 mm streamers. My CW had 4 stages.

flannelhead

Mon Dec 17 2007, 02:24PM

Registered Member #952 Joined: Mon Aug 13 2007, 11:07AM
Location: Finland
Posts: 388

So here are the pictures!
Psu

Spedy

Tue Dec 18 2007, 01:08AM

Registered Member #964 Joined: Wed Aug 22 2007, 12:39AM
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 134

Neato. Your free-formed CW is really nice, I've never been able to get the parts lined up just right. It's a nice little coil yah got there :)

Tom540

Tue Dec 18 2007, 01:23AM

Banned on 3/17/2009.
Registered Member #487 Joined: Sun Jul 09 2006, 01:22AM
Location:
Posts: 617

now make a little rotary spark gap for it!!

flannelhead

Fri Dec 21 2007, 07:13PM

Registered Member #952 Joined: Mon Aug 13 2007, 11:07AM
Location: Finland
Posts: 388

Now I got a real 1nf 2000v pulse polyester cap for replacing my quick'n'dirty homemade caps. I also made a better spark cap. Now I'm gonna tune the coil to somewhat more resonant. Pics coming soon :) I would also ask, what's the highest possible voltage that the camera transformers can be driven without destroying their drivers? I'm currently driving them with 2.4 volts. Should I try 4.8 volts?

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