DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Mon Jul 16 2012, 12:11PMHi All,
Just thought I'd share my sixth DRSSTC here. It is collaboration between myself and Cameron Prince. It's a rather large coil, standing about eight feet tall. It also makes rather large sparks.
The secondary is a roughly 12" diameter form wound with #22AWG wire. The winding length is 60". With a 48" x 12" topload the coil has a F0 of ~36kHz.
The bridge is a full-bridge of CM600HA-24H IGBTs. These are all hooked up by a laminated bus that I designed.
Solidworks rendering of the bridge.
Assembled bridge.
Here's a shot of the last test run. We didn't get much time to fool with it, because it was raining off and on. When we finally did get it up and running we didn't set the target very far away. As I recall it was only about 13 feet from the coil, which is no sweat for this coil.
Here's a video of the coil running in "ARSG" mode.
There are other videos on my YouTube channel and the Tesla Universe YouTube channel.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Dr. ISOTOP, Mon Jul 16 2012, 12:40PM
Those are some nice laminated busses you've got there
Beautiful coil! Key specs? (MMC, peak current, etc?)
Dr. ISOTOP, Mon Jul 16 2012, 12:40PM
Those are some nice laminated busses you've got there
Beautiful coil! Key specs? (MMC, peak current, etc?)
Re: DRSSTC VI
Sigurthr, Mon Jul 16 2012, 01:44PM
That is quite a beautiful coil! What are you using to cool the bridge with, and is that a spun toroid?
Sigurthr, Mon Jul 16 2012, 01:44PM
That is quite a beautiful coil! What are you using to cool the bridge with, and is that a spun toroid?
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Mon Jul 16 2012, 03:08PM
MMC 8700VAC 1.25µF 750ARMS ~125lbs
Peak current is undetermined as of yet, but I have the limiter set to 3000A.
The bridge is cooled by a 8" fan. I think it's a few hundred CFM, which is overkill.
The toroid is not spun, it's a foam core with Aluminum tape wrapped around it.
Phillip Slawinski, Mon Jul 16 2012, 03:08PM
Dr. ISOTOP wrote ...
Key specs? (MMC, peak current, etc?)
Key specs? (MMC, peak current, etc?)
MMC 8700VAC 1.25µF 750ARMS ~125lbs
Peak current is undetermined as of yet, but I have the limiter set to 3000A.
Sigurthr wrote ...
What are you using to cool the bridge with, and is that a spun toroid?
What are you using to cool the bridge with, and is that a spun toroid?
The bridge is cooled by a 8" fan. I think it's a few hundred CFM, which is overkill.
The toroid is not spun, it's a foam core with Aluminum tape wrapped around it.
Re: DRSSTC VI
HV Enthusiast, Mon Jul 16 2012, 06:20PM
Thats REALLY beautiful. I really love the solid modeling and the detail to all the modeled components. Beautiful!!!
HV Enthusiast, Mon Jul 16 2012, 06:20PM
Thats REALLY beautiful. I really love the solid modeling and the detail to all the modeled components. Beautiful!!!
Re: DRSSTC VI
RickR, Mon Jul 16 2012, 08:54PM
Sorry, strike this question, I see you've answered it above
RickR, Mon Jul 16 2012, 08:54PM
Sorry, strike this question, I see you've answered it above
Re: DRSSTC VI
GORT, Tue Jul 17 2012, 03:46AM
You know, that is probably the best coil I've ever seen! Granted, there have been a lot of SG Power Coils, but this is a work of art! Sure you can throw SG power at anything and create sparks of length.. But this is a DRSSTC with balls!!!
GORT, Tue Jul 17 2012, 03:46AM
You know, that is probably the best coil I've ever seen! Granted, there have been a lot of SG Power Coils, but this is a work of art! Sure you can throw SG power at anything and create sparks of length.. But this is a DRSSTC with balls!!!
Re: DRSSTC VI
Kizmo, Tue Jul 17 2012, 04:05AM
Great job Philip! :)
Gotta love that enormous pile of MMC you got there. Thats the way to go! There is absolutely no way one can overheat mmc like that
How high bus voltages are you using?
Kizmo, Tue Jul 17 2012, 04:05AM
Great job Philip! :)
Gotta love that enormous pile of MMC you got there. Thats the way to go! There is absolutely no way one can overheat mmc like that
How high bus voltages are you using?
Re: DRSSTC VI
StRyKeReYe, Tue Jul 17 2012, 07:52AM
I second Barts response! That is the by far the best DRSSTC I've ever seen not to mention the largest . I think it might need at least 1lb more caps though becuase it can still roll and the wheels haven't buckled
All Jokes aside I'm sure Phillip has put ever spare moment into designing and perfecting this magnificent Work. And I'm sure more amazing work will be coming in the future.
StRyKeReYe, Tue Jul 17 2012, 07:52AM
I second Barts response! That is the by far the best DRSSTC I've ever seen not to mention the largest . I think it might need at least 1lb more caps though becuase it can still roll and the wheels haven't buckled
All Jokes aside I'm sure Phillip has put ever spare moment into designing and perfecting this magnificent Work. And I'm sure more amazing work will be coming in the future.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Steve Conner, Tue Jul 17 2012, 08:03AM
Wee! I like the bridge design
Steve Conner, Tue Jul 17 2012, 08:03AM
Wee! I like the bridge design
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Tue Jul 17 2012, 11:26AM
Quite a "pile" of MMC caps it is. The MMC consists of seventy-five capacitors in total. When you're spending this much time and money on a coil, it's best not to fool around trying to just scrape by. Indeed, this MMC is nearly bullet-proof. At the maximum of 3kA the peak voltage that the MMC sees is just below the AC rating on the caps (granted, that is a 60Hz AC rating).
We usually run between 700V and 800V on the bus. The bus capacitors are only rated for 840VDC, so 800V is the limit.
Phillip Slawinski, Tue Jul 17 2012, 11:26AM
Kizmo wrote ...
Great job Philip! :)
Gotta love that enormous pile of MMC you got there. Thats the way to go! There is absolutely no way one can overheat mmc like that
How high bus voltages are you using?
Great job Philip! :)
Gotta love that enormous pile of MMC you got there. Thats the way to go! There is absolutely no way one can overheat mmc like that
How high bus voltages are you using?
Quite a "pile" of MMC caps it is. The MMC consists of seventy-five capacitors in total. When you're spending this much time and money on a coil, it's best not to fool around trying to just scrape by. Indeed, this MMC is nearly bullet-proof. At the maximum of 3kA the peak voltage that the MMC sees is just below the AC rating on the caps (granted, that is a 60Hz AC rating).
We usually run between 700V and 800V on the bus. The bus capacitors are only rated for 840VDC, so 800V is the limit.
Re: DRSSTC VI
nixie, Tue Jul 17 2012, 03:33PM
Hi Phillip!
I believe you have set a new goal for others to achieve with your stunning work of art. Clearly in the same league of your MPTCC.
And I imagine the doubler construction is just as meticulous. Maybe even including a smart auto-precharge circuit.
Congratulations! Hopefully your neighbors are friendly and supportive!
Regards, Jeff
nixie, Tue Jul 17 2012, 03:33PM
Hi Phillip!
I believe you have set a new goal for others to achieve with your stunning work of art. Clearly in the same league of your MPTCC.
And I imagine the doubler construction is just as meticulous. Maybe even including a smart auto-precharge circuit.
Congratulations! Hopefully your neighbors are friendly and supportive!
Regards, Jeff
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Fri Jul 20 2012, 03:40AM
We ran the coil tonight, and finally started pushing it. We managed to get 16' 4" out of it, and then we had to pack it all up. Looks like it could still do more.
Phillip Slawinski, Fri Jul 20 2012, 03:40AM
We ran the coil tonight, and finally started pushing it. We managed to get 16' 4" out of it, and then we had to pack it all up. Looks like it could still do more.
Re: DRSSTC VI
HV Enthusiast, Fri Jul 20 2012, 04:14AM
Gorgeous! The coil is beautiful, the performance outstanding, and the photography is top notch too!!!
HV Enthusiast, Fri Jul 20 2012, 04:14AM
Gorgeous! The coil is beautiful, the performance outstanding, and the photography is top notch too!!!
Re: DRSSTC VI
Steve Ward, Sat Jul 21 2012, 04:00AM
Its pretty nice and all, but its really hard to see the lock-washers in the bridge exploded view... maybe you can work on that.
Just messing with you, of course. Obviously you did a superb job, and i know there is more to come!
Im very impressed with the spark length to toroid size ratio here. I wonder how much further it might be able to go?
Also noticing the 16 footers are much dimmer than the ground strikes. I do wonder how much the resistance of the brick post matters, or if its simply reaching the impedance of the arc that limits the discharge current, and hence brightness. Id have to think a bigger toroid might "fix" that.
Steve Ward, Sat Jul 21 2012, 04:00AM
Its pretty nice and all, but its really hard to see the lock-washers in the bridge exploded view... maybe you can work on that.
Just messing with you, of course. Obviously you did a superb job, and i know there is more to come!
Im very impressed with the spark length to toroid size ratio here. I wonder how much further it might be able to go?
Also noticing the 16 footers are much dimmer than the ground strikes. I do wonder how much the resistance of the brick post matters, or if its simply reaching the impedance of the arc that limits the discharge current, and hence brightness. Id have to think a bigger toroid might "fix" that.
Re: DRSSTC VI
StRyKeReYe, Sun Jul 22 2012, 05:02AM
I wondered about the Streamers too, I was noticing that when it went to Jack Hammering on the Concrete that they instantly became fatter and brighter, but at almost near the same time any branches that were not to ground also seemed to increase in Luminosity I'd like to look at the video again frame by frame to see.
As for a bigger Toroid are you going to let Phillip borrow Gigantors?
StRyKeReYe, Sun Jul 22 2012, 05:02AM
I wondered about the Streamers too, I was noticing that when it went to Jack Hammering on the Concrete that they instantly became fatter and brighter, but at almost near the same time any branches that were not to ground also seemed to increase in Luminosity I'd like to look at the video again frame by frame to see.
As for a bigger Toroid are you going to let Phillip borrow Gigantors?
Re: DRSSTC VI
Mads Barnkob, Sun Jul 22 2012, 08:00AM
Beautiful coil, great craftsmanship there :)
Could you please detail on how you made the foam core, smoothing, adding tape to be as smooth etc.
Mads Barnkob, Sun Jul 22 2012, 08:00AM
Beautiful coil, great craftsmanship there :)
Phillip Slawinski wrote ...
The toroid is not spun, it's a foam core with Aluminum tape wrapped around it.
The toroid is not spun, it's a foam core with Aluminum tape wrapped around it.
Could you please detail on how you made the foam core, smoothing, adding tape to be as smooth etc.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Sun Jul 22 2012, 07:52PM
I didn't actually build the toroid. Cameron Prince did. As I recall he had the foam core made by a company, and then shipped to him. He then applied the tape strip by strip, and used some sort of roller to ensure that it was smooth.
Phillip Slawinski, Sun Jul 22 2012, 07:52PM
Mads Barnkob wrote ...
Could you please detail on how you made the foam core, smoothing, adding tape to be as smooth etc.
Could you please detail on how you made the foam core, smoothing, adding tape to be as smooth etc.
I didn't actually build the toroid. Cameron Prince did. As I recall he had the foam core made by a company, and then shipped to him. He then applied the tape strip by strip, and used some sort of roller to ensure that it was smooth.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Matt Edwards, Mon Jul 23 2012, 07:46PM
Looks familiar ;)
Matt Edwards, Mon Jul 23 2012, 07:46PM
Looks familiar ;)
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Tue Oct 16 2012, 03:59AM
We ran the coil again this past weekend, and got even better results. 16' 9" (measured). We had to stop the run when the primary supports melted down!
In the video below, the breakout point is about 11 feet above the ground. The distance from the end of the breakout point to the post is 16' 9".
Phillip Slawinski, Tue Oct 16 2012, 03:59AM
We ran the coil again this past weekend, and got even better results. 16' 9" (measured). We had to stop the run when the primary supports melted down!
In the video below, the breakout point is about 11 feet above the ground. The distance from the end of the breakout point to the post is 16' 9".
Re: DRSSTC VI
dex, Tue Oct 16 2012, 10:09AM
Impressive coil Phillip.With bigger toroid the longest spark might be even 20' I think.
BTW,what input power was sufficient for 17' ?
Maybe,next time running, he should place aluminium ladder 16 ft. away to observe difference?
Scoping primary current during the strikes could be insightful as well.
dex, Tue Oct 16 2012, 10:09AM
Impressive coil Phillip.With bigger toroid the longest spark might be even 20' I think.
BTW,what input power was sufficient for 17' ?
Steve Ward wrote ...
Also noticing the 16 footers are much dimmer than the ground strikes. I do wonder how much the resistance of the brick post matters, or if its simply reaching the impedance of the arc that limits the discharge current, and hence brightness. Id have to think a bigger toroid might "fix" that.
Also noticing the 16 footers are much dimmer than the ground strikes. I do wonder how much the resistance of the brick post matters, or if its simply reaching the impedance of the arc that limits the discharge current, and hence brightness. Id have to think a bigger toroid might "fix" that.
Maybe,next time running, he should place aluminium ladder 16 ft. away to observe difference?
Scoping primary current during the strikes could be insightful as well.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Dr. Drone, Tue Oct 16 2012, 02:43PM
Dr. Drone, Tue Oct 16 2012, 02:43PM
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Thu Oct 18 2012, 12:01AM
I've contemplated a bigger top load. Maybe I should just make a bigger coil though.
Input power was around 18kVA at higher break rates.
I will definitely be doing a water cooled primary. That run was with 5/8" copper tubing, and it melted it's way out of the supports
Phillip Slawinski, Thu Oct 18 2012, 12:01AM
I've contemplated a bigger top load. Maybe I should just make a bigger coil though.
Input power was around 18kVA at higher break rates.
I will definitely be doing a water cooled primary. That run was with 5/8" copper tubing, and it melted it's way out of the supports
Re: DRSSTC VI
Kizmo, Thu Oct 18 2012, 02:18PM
One reason why i made my primary support from PA66 (265C melting point)
Of course mine will have liquid cooling (most likely oil) for primary..
Kizmo, Thu Oct 18 2012, 02:18PM
One reason why i made my primary support from PA66 (265C melting point)
Of course mine will have liquid cooling (most likely oil) for primary..
Re: DRSSTC VI
Goodchild, Fri Oct 19 2012, 08:30AM
Very impressive run, Your secondary parameters are near identical to my big coil so it's interesting to see it run with a low impedance tank. From your impressive output I'm assuming you are running close to 2KApk or more? I have noticed that the lower impedance systems seem to get a bit hotter in the primary, water cooling should suite it well.
Interesting though to note that two coils with near identical secondary specs can get optimal performance with ether a low or high impedance primary configuration.
Great build, can't wait to see more.
Goodchild, Fri Oct 19 2012, 08:30AM
Very impressive run, Your secondary parameters are near identical to my big coil so it's interesting to see it run with a low impedance tank. From your impressive output I'm assuming you are running close to 2KApk or more? I have noticed that the lower impedance systems seem to get a bit hotter in the primary, water cooling should suite it well.
Interesting though to note that two coils with near identical secondary specs can get optimal performance with ether a low or high impedance primary configuration.
Great build, can't wait to see more.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Mon Oct 22 2012, 11:43AM
I haven't been able to measure primary current, but I'd be surprised if the peak current in the primary was under 2kA. I do have the current limiter set at 3KA, and I've never hit that, so it must be under 3kA peak (or the current limiter is broken
) I would blame the heat on the high RMS currents, which should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 300A.
I tried a higher impedance tank to start with (tank C = 0.75µF) the results were not what I had hoped, so I ended up adding two strings to that to arrive at the 1.25µF that I run now.
Phillip Slawinski, Mon Oct 22 2012, 11:43AM
Goodchild wrote ...
Very impressive run, Your secondary parameters are near identical to my big coil so it's interesting to see it run with a low impedance tank. From your impressive output I'm assuming you are running close to 2KApk or more? I have noticed that the lower impedance systems seem to get a bit hotter in the primary, water cooling should suite it well.
Interesting though to note that two coils with near identical secondary specs can get optimal performance with ether a low or high impedance primary configuration.
Great build, can't wait to see more.
Very impressive run, Your secondary parameters are near identical to my big coil so it's interesting to see it run with a low impedance tank. From your impressive output I'm assuming you are running close to 2KApk or more? I have noticed that the lower impedance systems seem to get a bit hotter in the primary, water cooling should suite it well.
Interesting though to note that two coils with near identical secondary specs can get optimal performance with ether a low or high impedance primary configuration.
Great build, can't wait to see more.
I haven't been able to measure primary current, but I'd be surprised if the peak current in the primary was under 2kA. I do have the current limiter set at 3KA, and I've never hit that, so it must be under 3kA peak (or the current limiter is broken
) I would blame the heat on the high RMS currents, which should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 300A.I tried a higher impedance tank to start with (tank C = 0.75µF) the results were not what I had hoped, so I ended up adding two strings to that to arrive at the 1.25µF that I run now.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Tue Jul 30 2013, 03:48AM
Took the coil out last week. Recorded several 16' strikes, and best of all, no complaints from the non-existent neighbors.
Phillip Slawinski, Tue Jul 30 2013, 03:48AM
Took the coil out last week. Recorded several 16' strikes, and best of all, no complaints from the non-existent neighbors.
Re: DRSSTC VI
swordfish, Tue Jul 30 2013, 10:35PM
Very impressive coil. The construction is excellent and the length and heat in those sparks would put most pig powered coils to shame (mine included :() Nice work!
swordfish, Tue Jul 30 2013, 10:35PM
Very impressive coil. The construction is excellent and the length and heat in those sparks would put most pig powered coils to shame (mine included :() Nice work!
Re: DRSSTC VI
H. Love, Sun Sept 01 2013, 03:50PM
Nice coil! Which Solidworks package (3D CAD, electrical design etc.) did you use to create that exploded view of the bridge?
H. Love, Sun Sept 01 2013, 03:50PM
Nice coil! Which Solidworks package (3D CAD, electrical design etc.) did you use to create that exploded view of the bridge?
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Fri Sept 13 2013, 10:02PM
I used solidworks to model the bridge.
Phillip Slawinski, Fri Sept 13 2013, 10:02PM
I used solidworks to model the bridge.
Re: DRSSTC VI
H. Love, Tue Sept 17 2013, 08:44PM
When I go to the solidworks website and click to view their products (http://www.solidworks.com/sw/3d-cad-design-software.htm), different packages (such as 3D CAD, Simulation, Product Data Management and others) appear. I was wondering which one of these packages within solidworks you used to render your bridge.
H. Love, Tue Sept 17 2013, 08:44PM
When I go to the solidworks website and click to view their products (http://www.solidworks.com/sw/3d-cad-design-software.htm), different packages (such as 3D CAD, Simulation, Product Data Management and others) appear. I was wondering which one of these packages within solidworks you used to render your bridge.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Killa-X, Thu Sept 19 2013, 05:14PM
My guess, None. Solidworks has its own built in render. Even when I had solidworks 2012 Student Edition, I could do 3D renderings. Theres no need for any packages.
When I rendered this picture in solidworks 2013, I just had to Tools, Add-Ins, Enable PhotoView 360.
Then Photoview 360, Final Render.
Comes with every version of solidworks, No packages needed. 2011+ from personal experience.
Id just look for a standard solidworks 2013 product if your interested in getting it.
Killa-X, Thu Sept 19 2013, 05:14PM
H. Love wrote ...
When I go to the solidworks website and click to view their products (http://www.solidworks.com/sw/3d-cad-design-software.htm), different packages (such as 3D CAD, Simulation, Product Data Management and others) appear. I was wondering which one of these packages within solidworks you used to render your bridge.
When I go to the solidworks website and click to view their products (http://www.solidworks.com/sw/3d-cad-design-software.htm), different packages (such as 3D CAD, Simulation, Product Data Management and others) appear. I was wondering which one of these packages within solidworks you used to render your bridge.
My guess, None. Solidworks has its own built in render. Even when I had solidworks 2012 Student Edition, I could do 3D renderings. Theres no need for any packages.
When I rendered this picture in solidworks 2013, I just had to Tools, Add-Ins, Enable PhotoView 360.
Then Photoview 360, Final Render.
Comes with every version of solidworks, No packages needed. 2011+ from personal experience.
Id just look for a standard solidworks 2013 product if your interested in getting it.
Re: DRSSTC VI
H. Love, Sat Sept 21 2013, 07:20PM
Ok, now I see. Thanks for explaining that.
H. Love, Sat Sept 21 2013, 07:20PM
Ok, now I see. Thanks for explaining that.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Aragorn, Sun Sept 22 2013, 05:14PM
"Solidworks" is a 3D CAD package. It does its own renderings.
Aragorn, Sun Sept 22 2013, 05:14PM
"Solidworks" is a 3D CAD package. It does its own renderings.
Re: DRSSTC VI
Intra, Wed Nov 06 2013, 02:28PM
Phillip, what do you use to convert 110V in 800V
Intra, Wed Nov 06 2013, 02:28PM
Phillip, what do you use to convert 110V in 800V
Re: DRSSTC VI
Phillip Slawinski, Thu Nov 07 2013, 09:07PM
The control panel has a variac that outputs 0-280V which is then doubled using a standard voltage doubler circuit.
Phillip Slawinski, Thu Nov 07 2013, 09:07PM
The control panel has a variac that outputs 0-280V which is then doubled using a standard voltage doubler circuit.
Re: DRSSTC VI
HV Enthusiast, Thu Nov 07 2013, 11:19PM
I just have to comment again on the Solidworks rendering of the bridge. BEAUTIFUL!!! Definatley one of my all time favorite 3D renderings of electronic components!
HV Enthusiast, Thu Nov 07 2013, 11:19PM
I just have to comment again on the Solidworks rendering of the bridge. BEAUTIFUL!!! Definatley one of my all time favorite 3D renderings of electronic components!
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