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Registered Member #1851
Joined: Sun Dec 07 2008, 08:07AM
Location:
Posts: 2
First off I tried searching for "first tesla coil" but the search kept on omitting the word 'first' so that didn't turn out to be fairly useful.
Anyways, I'm looking at building my first Tesla coil and I'm just looking for some advice as to what a good starting point would be. I've done a fair bit of electronics before, (amplifiers, RF transmitters, PWM and stepper motor controllers, some micro controller stuff), but other than a ghetto taser I built in high school nothing really high voltage related.
I have access to a ton of components and PCB manufacturing facilities so I'm thinking I might as well try and build a solid state Tesla coil for my first attempt?
Are there any well tested reference designs that would be recommended for a complete n00b to try out?
Finally, is there a forum post with links to useful information for people just starting out? I guess there's no sticky's on this board?
Registered Member #1225
Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253
Well, sounds like a sstc would be a good starting point. PWM experience would actually help, as knowing about the waveforms and duty cycle and all that good stuff is advantageous. Perhaps a look at Steve Wards work would be good to get what you need for a sstc: A good beginner sstc would be a class-E, especially if you have an oscilloscope to tune the shunt capacitor and primary to the secondary: Look at a few of the sstc's from there and see if any look good, and choose what you want, whether you want something more complex and better performer, or lower performance and simpler.
There are many sstc pages, just look at a few and see if it would be the way to go.
Sstc's can be very simple, or VERY complex. My first sstc was a 555 driving bipolar transistor. I then upgraded for better performance with variable frequency so i could tune, i used a mosfet instead of bipolar transistor, and higher input voltage. I could get some streamers and arcs about 1 inch that were very hot, and that was with a single mosfet and something like 24 volts input. Someone on this forum has made a nice 555 driven sstc w/out feedback, and got some nice sparks. I believe that was Reaching, but not sure.
Sorry if i sound stupid or something, it is 2:30 here :P. Hope it helps! Or something.
Registered Member #1739
Joined: Fri Oct 03 2008, 10:05AM
Location: Moscow, Russia
Posts: 261
Well, not much to think of here indeed - a VTTC can give you long sparks without much of a hard work (mine gave over 40cm, but the primary burned off so I'm done with those), but give a lack of a good coiling experience, also are pain in the rear to tune. As for an SGTC - you'll need a pretty good equipment to build the gap, also a small SGTC will not be of much fun as it's virtually uncontrollable and bigger ones are tough to find a place to operate - even a smaller SSTC upon running out of 50cm spark makes your windows chill.
So, the best start is an SSTC. Try out a halfbridge with any generator concept you like first, they are not hard to develop. That will give you a lot of basic knowledge of the drive techniques and issues - and from that point a small table-top coil is pretty similar to the huge DRSSTC monsters. They are very fun to play around with, and even a fully-operational coil can have a lot of upgrading possibilities, unlike the most other coil types - tricky interruptors, audio modulation, many other fun things.
On a side note, try an OLTC - smaller ones are a good thing to have at home, they are controllable and need no massive HV components. And also they are a good modern TC solution, just like any other solid-state coils ;)
Registered Member #1851
Joined: Sun Dec 07 2008, 08:07AM
Location:
Posts: 2
Cool thanks a ton guys. That gives me lots of info to start with.
I do have a scope so that should help a bit. I'm right in the middle of exams right now but I want to start playing around with things in the New Year so I'm sure I'll be back with more questions then.
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Where to start?
