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coillah

Wed Jun 04 2008, 07:06AM

Registered Member #1517 Joined: Wed Jun 04 2008, 06:55AM
Location: Chico CA
Posts: 304

Hey everybody,

I just picked up a NST for 10 bucks today. The sign was bunk but the transformer seems to be in great condition.

I need some information on what my options are with this thing. According to what I am reading on the manufacturer's site, it is a solid state transformer. Is this gonna be usuable for a TC?

According to the label on the side:
Allanson
Self Adjusting 2kV-9kV (I'm guessing this is for a loaded case)
Primary, 120V/ 60 Hz
Sec: 7,200 VRMS 35mA
110VA

The self adjusting part is throwing me. I bought a book to get into coiling, Mitch Tilbury's Ultimate Guide, it mentions very little about SSTC and nothing about self adjusting transformers, which I am assuming is a byproduct of the solid state deal.

I was hoping someone here could point me in the right direction for the design of my coil. And maybe even predict what my spark lengths will be after my coil is properly tuned.

thanks guys

Avi

Wed Jun 04 2008, 07:34AM

Registered Member #580 Joined: Mon Mar 12 2007, 03:17PM
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 410

x KV rated transformers are for SGTC not SSTC
SSTCs run directly off mains voltages.

J. Aaron Holmes

Wed Jun 04 2008, 12:40PM

Registered Member #477 Joined: Tue Jun 20 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 546

EDIT: Disregard the below; you mentioned yourself that it was solid-state and I missed that. Anyway, not interesting for a Tesla coil from what I've heard.

This sounds like a solid-state NST to me. Probably uninteresting from both SSTC and SGTC standpoints. I'm sure I've heard this "self-adjusting" term tossed around a lot with the solid-state NSTs. Coillah, is this thing a ten-pound metal-encased brick, or a featherweight little plastic thingy? 7200V and 35mA are also unusual specs for a regular NST, at least in the US.

Cheers,
Aaron, N7OE

Mads Barnkob

Wed Jun 04 2008, 02:41PM

Registered Member #1403 Joined: Tue Mar 18 2008, 06:05PM
Location: Denmark, Odense C
Posts: 1968

I have driven a smaller marx generator with a SSNST and tried once on a tesla coil, but it was so badly out of propotions that I will not count it as a try :)

It was a 4kV/20mA

flannelhead

Wed Jun 04 2008, 03:03PM

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

But if you rectified the SSNST output, wouldn't it work then?

Arcstarter

Wed Jun 04 2008, 04:19PM

Registered Member #1225 Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253

Well apparently solid state nsts will not work for tesla coils. You can try to run a marx generator but it may not work since it is self-adjusting.

flannelhead

Wed Jun 04 2008, 04:24PM

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

Is there any particular reason why solid state NSTs don't work for tesla coils? I don't see any problem in it (except finding a suitable rectifier) if you rectify the NST output and build a DC tesla coil. People have made tesla coils with different kinds of flyback drivers so why SSNSTs wouldn't work either?

coillah

Wed Jun 04 2008, 04:39PM

Registered Member #1517 Joined: Wed Jun 04 2008, 06:55AM
Location: Chico CA
Posts: 304

that makes sense to me. This thing has the power, it was on a rather large neon sign.

Would more information on the NST be helpful?

Perhaps if someone could explicitly explain why a solid state transformer will not work I'd drop it more easily.

Steve Ward

Wed Jun 04 2008, 04:52PM

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

Firstly, the output is high frequency, so you would need to convert it to DC using high speed diodes (not 1n400X types, but UF400X or my favorite are the SF1600 diodes). The diodes should be avalanche rated, just check the datasheet, it will mention this if they are. To improve the chances of this thing actually powering a tesla coil, it better have some sort of filter, likely a good LCR filter.

All of this goes out the window if you have a "protected" device with GFI built in. It will be very hard to keep that thing from tripping with such a nasty load as a tesla coil.

So while technically its possible to use this thing for a TC, its probably better left up to someone with a good understanding of their internal design and how to work around their limitations.

coillah

Wed Jun 04 2008, 08:20PM

Registered Member #1517 Joined: Wed Jun 04 2008, 06:55AM
Location: Chico CA
Posts: 304

OK

So while it is technically possible, it would take a lot of work.

I think I'm just gonna go get another transformer, this one was only ten bucks so I can walk away easily.

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