Hi Marco.
That looks like the right configuration, yes. Here it is in schematic form:
View attachment 68760
Sorry, I forgot to answer your question. In order to make a musical Tesla coil, you'll really need some sort of solid state control to modulate the input. The output would also have to be directly tuned to the input, which is really only possible with a full solid-state circuit.
Regards,
Matt
EDIT: Oh, and DO NOT connect the secondary ground to the transformer ground. The transformer ground should be connected to mains ground, and the secondary should be earthed. Connect it to a metal stake (1-2 foot, 30cm-60cm) and pound it into the ground.
Hi Marco.
That looks like the right configuration, yes. Here it is in schematic form:
View attachment 68760
Sorry, I forgot to answer your question. In order to make a musical Tesla coil, you'll really need some sort of solid state control to modulate the input. The output would also have to be directly tuned to the input, which is really only possible with a full solid-state circuit.
Regards,
Matt
EDIT: Oh, and DO NOT connect the secondary ground to the transformer ground. The transformer ground should be connected to mains ground, and the secondary should be earthed. Connect it to a metal stake (1-2 foot, 30cm-60cm) and pound it into the ground.
Hey Matt.
Here is pictures of my capacitors in their box: https://imgur.com/a/gOgSJ
All I have to do is wire them up. How shall I do that?
Thanks,
Marco
Hi Matt.
I tested the tesla coil today and the capacitors work great with 6.22nF but I still haven't got a spark coming off the secondary coil. Here are some pictures of the whole configuration:
https://imgur.com/a/Gmmfv
Please help
Thanks,
Marco
Hey Marco. My internet connection is quite slow tonight, so I can't seem to load the photos. I'll take a look first thing in the morning though.
In the mean time, if you could take a video of your coil operating, it might help me to figure out what you'll need to do next. A lot of the time you can tell what needs to be done just by the sound of the spark gap, believe it or not. If that's a possibility, great. If not, we'll go the classic route--trial and error
Anyway, it's past midnight here, so I should be heading to bed. I'll check back on the thread tomorrow morning though.
Best wishes,
Matt
Okay, nevermind--the images finally loaded
I have a couple of reservations about the current setup. The first is the spark gap. How exactly is it set up? I see the wires from the coil/capacitors are connected to different bolts than the transformer. Are the top and bottom bolts connected to the same spark gap contact? If not, you should have those clips connected to the same bolts as the transformer outputs (inputs to the tank circuit).
2, have you tried removing the toroid? Or put a breakout point on it? Usually if there's a sharp edge connected to the output, and the coil is connected properly, you'll get a bit of corona coming off the wire or breakout point. Try putting a nail on top of the toroid, or take it off completely. It also may help to test the coil in the dark. Let me know if you see any bluish glow around the output.
Finally, I'd recommend trying to find thicker wires. The ones you have now will probably work, but they're very thin and probably cause a lot of unwanted resistance. They might also allow current to leak through the insulation and into the ground and surrounding objects. You'll want to avoid this if possible. You should probably use closer to 8 AWG wire (not sure of the measurement Down Under). This will help keep the efficiency up.
Also, for future reference, you'll probably have to move the secondary coil connection to the transformer around to get the correct inductance in the primary. This is called "tapping", and it's probably one of the oldest, most used methods of tuning a Tesla coil.
Okay, now it's time for me to go to bed. Good night and I'll check back tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Matt
Heya Matt
1. Top and bottom bolts are connected to the same spark gap so don't worry bout that.
2. Yes I did, and that hasn't changed anything either. I did place a metal pole stuck into the ground close to the secondary coil wire and that gave a small spark but nothing special.
Do you mean thicker wires for connecting everything? Would you say thats the main problem because I'd rather not change all my wiring if I don't have to if you understand.
And what do you mean by moving the secondary coil connection to the transformer around to get the correct inductance in the primary?
Have a good sleep
Thanks,
Marco
As I go farther in, the spark will get shorter and shorter. . .
()blivion, residual charge in the capacitors is not as much of an issue with AC tesla coils as it is with DC ones.
I would recommend you short the spark gap before going to touch the primary or capacitor setup.
This is a pretty long 6 page novel I skimmed through it. It looks like your getting some ok help. Here is my 2 cents worth.
Looking at the photos I would say you need more turns on the primary coil it should have about 15 turns.
Secondary coil needs 950 turns no matter what diameter it is. #24 wire works great for 4" PVC pipe.
The spark gap needs a fan. Minimum requirement is a cooling fan. Best choice is a vacuum cleaner fan with a variac to adjust the speed.
Be sure to use larger wire on the capacitor bank when they discharge there is a lot of current that needs to travel through the wires.
Glass bottle caps are only about 30% efficent you will have about 70% power lose. There are several people selling caps on ebay I buy my caps from some of these ads. **broken link removed**
You could buy some TC plans on ebay. Good plans that really work NOT photo copies of magazine articles.
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This is my 10" coil it produces 12 foot streamers on 12KW.
You can get Tesla coil plans on google for free. You don't need a kit and/or real plans. If yo ask me, plans take away all the fun of building a TC. The fun part is creating one with your own stuff and making it work by yourself. When you build a Tesla coil by yourself (without plans), you can truly call the result "your own", and it just feels much better than building one from plans.
Hi Matt
You know your Tesla stuff. Great guidance and all here in/on this Thread.
Regards,
tvtech
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