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Registered Member #10
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 09:45AM
Location: Bunbury, Australia
Posts: 1424
Heck, this is the first new TC I've made in a while. A mini spark gap coil which runs off a tiny NST that the neon shop was using as a doorstop! 4Kv at 24mA with a double copper pipe gap and ceramic caps 3 strings of 2 (? 1nF) rated at 30kV each. Built into a briefcase and not too heavy.
Registered Member #10
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 09:45AM
Location: Bunbury, Australia
Posts: 1424
Grounding is by the counterpoise of the metal frame that does not form a complete circle. The mains earth connects to it as well. Doesn't seem to be a problem with small stuff like this.
This wouldn't be hand luggage but is fairly rugged and could go in normal luggage. It does give me the option to take something quickly if I travel.
The main impetus for this coil was that my other mini coil is on loan to the Physics Dept for their country outreach. That is my famous coil seen in many of my TV appearances. For a junk coil made in an afternoon and only making 2 inch sparks it has done well. Big isn't always better.
Registered Member #10
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 09:45AM
Location: Bunbury, Australia
Posts: 1424
Dalus wrote ...
..... Would be even nicer if it puts the secondary in place when you open the case. Should be doable I guess.
Perfectly feasible to have a pop-up secondary as the primary is close fitting. That was what I had originally intended to do. The main problem is not that but covering the primary afterwards while still looking good and being robust. The secondary is just a drop in one. Takes less time than the mains cord.
Registered Member #10
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 09:45AM
Location: Bunbury, Australia
Posts: 1424
I have made this with a NIB magnet glued to a screw at the top of the cecondary to allow secure attachment of things to the topload. This is a fun little coil. It is safe and the spark gap is almost enclosed so it is quiet. It doesn't need a variac. It is assembled in a instant too - just drop the secondary in. The caps are easy even though they are ceramics and get warm so it is cheap. Hopefully the 60kV rating will allow a long life. If my last mini coil was anything to go by, I will get a lot of fun out of this. More so than something with longer sparks, and because it is so interactive it is a lot more media friendly. I recommend something simple like this as a first coil for beginners.
Now for the accessories: An ionic spinner with a long exposure a neon pilot light A light globe.
Registered Member #123
Joined: Fri Feb 10 2006, 12:58PM
Location:
Posts: 162
Nice work there. I know what you mean about the size thing. I built a small bipolar coil for someone else with insect zapper xformer and static gap with little variac all built in. I didn't want to let it go as so easy to use and experiment with.
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Briefcase TC
looks good. Would be even nicer if it puts the secondary in place when you open the case. Should be doable I guess.
