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Registered Member #817
Joined: Mon Jun 04 2007, 01:33AM
Location:
Posts: 15
I want to say this first, I've never built a tesla coil before, I've never really done anything too HV. I'm working on my first tesla coil (it's a mini desktop one cause I can't afford too much). My source of High Voltage is an ignition coil (I made a driver, I get nice long sparks from it). And I have a lot of equipment that would be good for tesla coils (100MHz oscilloscope, LCR meter, multimeter).
Now to the question part. What's the difference between an AC or DC Tesla coil. Like after your NST or Ignition coil it's AC, right? Do you need to rectify that into DC? Is one better than another?
Registered Member #1517
Joined: Wed Jun 04 2008, 06:55AM
Location: Chico CA
Posts: 304
From one newb to another, welcome!
DC coils tend to be much more complicated and more expensive. But you can do really interesting things with them, ie some people have built coils that can be run off of an audio signal. I saw a video of a guy who actually hooked his up to his electric guitar.
An AC coil is well suited for newbs like us. I am making a spark gap TC. They are capable of making decent sparks with a low budget. They are a good way to get your feet wet with building coils.
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