Mini STS - to little current through GDT

Gregary Boyles, Tue Apr 04 2017, 12:39PM

My design is based on this schematic:

I have made the following changes since these are the parts I had on hand:



When I don't have my GDT primary connected there appears to be some transient spikes on leading edges of the square wave at the TC4422 output pin of up to around 20V / -20V (with Vcc of 12V) according to my oscilloscope.

But seem to get an adequate sine wave when I connect my GDT primary.

But when I measure the current flowing through the GDT secondaries, with my multi-meter, I am getting only 2mA (that must be RMS)

My whole rig is acting as a Tesla coil because it is exciting the gases in a fluorescent light globe.

But with 12V DC powering the Tesla primary coil (for testing purposes) and only 2mA flowing through my FET gatesand GDT secondaries, I am obviously getting bugger all current flowing through my Tesla primary.

Any suggestions?