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Re: First Coil!
Jeremy writes:
>>>>
I found these plans, and I'm sure you have too at
ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/sci/electronics/tesla/misc/sstesla.gif , they
look relatively easy, and I have most the parts allready. (12v supply,
capacitor, etc.)
<<<<
Jeremy,
Before you get too gung-ho about this circuit, I have built it and want to
mention a few of its shortcomings, although on the plus side it is an
extremely simple circuit. BTW, I believe the original source of this
circuit is from Robert Iannini's book "Build your own working Fiberoptic,
Infrared, and Laser Space Age Projects" or also in his book "Build your own
Laser, Phaser, Ion Ray gun and other space-age projects."
One drawback is that there is no way to set the frequency at which the
circuit oscillates; the resonant frequency is completely determined by the
*physical* characteristics and geometry of the flyback transformer the
circuit drives because of the feedback method in the circuit. I built it
using a small flyback transformer from a monitor and measured the frequency
to be near 100 Khz for that particular flyback. But when the output of the
flyback transformer is hooked to a load, I found that the feedback method
wasn't stable enough and the transformer would saturate and the circuit
would cease oscillating. I might be able to remedy this to some extent with
a better flyback transformer, but still the circuit design is aimed more at
simplicity than being the most effective IMO.
So before anyone attempts to answer your specific questions about the
circuit, IMO I would first recommend switching to a different circuit! If
you really want a solid state TC driver for just a flyback transformer, you
might try Brent Turner's solid state driver from the Nov. '94 issue of
Electronics Now (Brent is a subscriber to this list).
A more powerful solution is using a solid-state driver hooked up to a
secondary coil in a Tesla magnifier fashion like in Duane Bylund's solid
state TC from the Sept. '91 issue of Radio-Electronics. Alan Sharp and
Harri Soumalainen, both subscribers to this list, are each working on some
really powerful solid state tesla drivers and maybe they would share some
of their expertise with you.
But if I were you, I would build a capacitive-discharge type Tesla coil
first (the "standard" TC) because they really are quite simple and it is
relatively easy to make one that can yield 2-3 foot sparks (the veterens on
the list can give you further advice about these coils). Any solid state
circuit that uses a flyback transformer will give you 1" sparks at best,
and building a higher-power solid state circuit to drive a Tesla magnifier
coil is no trivial matter if you want decent output.
Hope this helps and hope others give you their opinions too.
Jeff Detweiler