Anyone own one of these? / Tesla Coils / Forums

Forums

4hv.org :: Forums :: Tesla Coils

« Previous topic | Next topic »

Anyone own one of these?

1 2 3 next

Move Thread

LAN_403

lpfthings

Sat Feb 27 2010, 11:46AM

Registered Member #1361 Joined: Thu Feb 28 2008, 10:57AM
Location: Cairns, Australia
Posts: 305

I know it's much cheaper to build one yourself, however I don't have the time or components to make a good coil. So I decided to buy one of these:

I really like the acrylic construction, and the seller states up to 18" discharges if the thing is built properly. This seems rather good considering it only draws 3.3A @ 12V. I am wondering if the producer of this coil is part of this forum? Not sure, so I'll ask here anyway.

Does anyone know how these would be driven? As the seller mentions, it has 2 modes, and I am wondering if it'd be possible to run it near-CW like most SSTC's for a short amount of time, or is this a limitation of the circuit itself and not excessive heating? Also, does anyone know if it'd be possible to audio modulate this coil if I can have it run near-CW?

I know it may be a long shot, and I'm not sure if anyone here owns one, but I thought I'd put it out there. Mine should arrive by the end of this week, or early next week. Then I get to do the fun part, putting it all together

I know it may be a bit pricey and I can do it myself etc, but being my first coil it looks rather nice. And something I could show off without stuff breaking.

Cheers,
Dan

Dr. Dark Current

Sat Feb 27 2010, 12:39PM

Registered Member #152 Joined: Sun Feb 12 2006, 03:36PM
Location: Czech Rep.
Posts: 3384

18" with 40W input? Maybe in the world of fantasy and fairy tales

I think that for 18" sparks with just "halfwave CW", you would need around 2kW. For "filtered dc CW" this would be more than twice that.

lpfthings

Sat Feb 27 2010, 12:43PM

Registered Member #1361 Joined: Thu Feb 28 2008, 10:57AM
Location: Cairns, Australia
Posts: 305

The thing is, it's not CW by default. If you watch the youtube vid, you can see it's about 1BPS on the first mode. I know I wont get the same arc length if it was to run in CW, though I'm just wondering if it's possible. I guess until I know the circuitry there's no real way to be sure.

If not, I still like it :)

brtaman

Sat Feb 27 2010, 12:55PM

Registered Member #2161 Joined: Fri Jun 05 2009, 03:36PM
Location:
Posts: 247

I have a hunch that it draws 3.3A at 120V. It looks like a fairly standard interrupted SSTC kit to me.

That being said the components listed: "These include Fairchild high power IGBTs, CD942 Caps, and TI ICs." Make me think it is more catered to DR-SSTC duty as far as the power section is concerned. Whether or not the driver has OCD/Primary Feedback is another question.

Things: IIRC, you are located in Aus? If so, then you will have to buy yourself a transformer and a couple voltage regulators for the driver board PS.

Depending on the actual parts included in the deal, I think it is quite a good price...compared to some of the rip-offs I have seen on e-bay.

lpfthings

Sat Feb 27 2010, 01:03PM

Registered Member #1361 Joined: Thu Feb 28 2008, 10:57AM
Location: Cairns, Australia
Posts: 305

Due to the small pics and lack of detail in them, I was assuming the 12V PSU was seperate, meaning you could easily use a battery to make it portable?

If not, it's not that huge an issue, as I can just leave the AC side of the circuitry disconnected and feed it 12V directly.

If not, I do have a 240 to 110V 500W step down transformer, though I'd prefer if I didn't have to use that, since it weighs around 11kg!

It is a self-resonant coil, but I don't know much about SSTC's, it's just what I have read.

Yes, I do live in Aus :)

brtaman

Sat Feb 27 2010, 01:15PM

Registered Member #2161 Joined: Fri Jun 05 2009, 03:36PM
Location:
Posts: 247

lpfthings wrote ...

Due to the small pics and lack of detail in them, I was assuming the 12V PSU was seperate, meaning you could easily use a battery to make it portable?

If not, it's not that huge an issue, as I can just leave the AC side of the circuitry disconnected and feed it 12V directly.

If not, I do have a 240 to 110V 500W step down transformer, though I'd prefer if I didn't have to use that, since it weighs around 11kg!

It is a self-resonant coil, but I don't know much about SSTC's, it's just what I have read.

Yes, I do live in Aus :)

Haha,

<---captain obvious...

Basically there is no need for a step-down transformer as far as the power section is concerned. He probably includes 600V IGBTs, there might have to be small modifications here or there but it will work straight off-line. The only thing that will need serious modification is the PS for the driver board, but that it really quite a simple thing to make, just get a 24VA 12V transformer rectify and as some voltage regulators with appropriate filter caps.

The thing is though, that I am basically talking out of my ass atm, as the schematic could be something completely different, though I do believe it is basically the equivalent of Ward's Mini SSTC circuit to some extent.

With 12V input the TC, if it is the schematic I suspect it is, will do little, maybe make 3 mm arcs, somehow the minimum with SSTC I have found is ~20VDC on power section. Even then it is useful mainly for tunning.

If you want a portable TC, that runs just as good of a battery, then I would suggest going the ZVS+Flyback with 12v input way.

It was running of an ATX PSU, but would run just as well if not better of a lead batt.

Best Regards,
brtaman

lpfthings

Sat Feb 27 2010, 01:20PM

Registered Member #1361 Joined: Thu Feb 28 2008, 10:57AM
Location: Cairns, Australia
Posts: 305

The sparks in the youtube video's are quite impressive. This seller doesn't seem to be the type that would lie about the output that much. If he says it gives 18" sparks and it only does 3mm, someone would have complained by now (He has been selling these things on eBay for atleast a year now).

I have tried emailing him, but if he doesnt respond, I guess it's just a matter of time.

What I am hoping is that it just runs off an external 12V PSU.

brtaman

Sat Feb 27 2010, 01:30PM

Registered Member #2161 Joined: Fri Jun 05 2009, 03:36PM
Location:
Posts: 247

No no, I didn't mean that the seller was lying. I think (emphasis on think, because I suspect the circuit to be similair to:

, that there is a mix-up in communication.

When running off-line and with proper tune I am sure the sparks in the video are readily achievable. However, I have serious doubts that the primary on that TC is being fed only 12v. It is my opinion (o.o2), that the 12V PS referred to in the add, is the driver boards PS and not the PS for the power section.

Though like I said I could well be wrong. But TBH honest I have never seen an SSTC doing that (or anything close) of a 12vdc line?

lpfthings

Sat Feb 27 2010, 01:35PM

Registered Member #1361 Joined: Thu Feb 28 2008, 10:57AM
Location: Cairns, Australia
Posts: 305

Ah I see what you're saying. I'm not sure, it's possible only the driver circuitry runs from 12V. From the page: "Note: The power supply requires 120vac input so those with 220vac will need a low power step down transformer which not supplied."

He mentions the POWER SUPPLY requires 120V input, so it doesnt seem like the TC runs from it. I really have no idea. If it works like in the video's, I'm happy :)

No matter how hard I look at the pics, I can't seem to see the power input? I was assuming it'd be IEC or something similar, but I can't seem to see anything.

Killa-X

Sat Feb 27 2010, 03:41PM

Registered Member #1643 Joined: Mon Aug 18 2008, 06:10PM
Location:
Posts: 1039

Well...My guess is that it requires 120V because he has provided a transformer for the regulators on the circuit...For possible 5V and 12V regulators. Most regulators would fail above 30V of power. So if he used a 20V transformer rated 120V, you need 120V.

I doubt the actual COIL it self uses 12V to fire off 18" streamers. It looks more like maybe the 120V input is branched to a rectifier, that goes through the bridge. Not saying it is, It's just my view.

1 2 3 next

Moderator(s): Chris Russell, Noelle, Alex, Tesladownunder, Dave Marshall, Dave Billington, Bjørn, Steve Conner, Wolfram, Kizmo, Mads Barnkob