Jim,The solid state power supplies sold for driving neon tubes do not have the proper output voltage, frequency and current characteristics to drive a disruptive (spark gap) TC. They also have safety circuitry designed to prevent shocks that will defeat proper TC operation.
You need an old fashioned neon transformer that doesn't have a GFCI circuit in it. That circuit will also prevent proper TC operation.
For a small coil, a 9 kV, 30 Ma transformer will perform adequately, and will weigh about 10 - 15#.
Dave On 5/29/2011 11:43 AM, James Hutton wrote:
hello coilers,I have a question about the difference between a power supply, and a neon transformer.I have heard that neon power supplies are completely useless for tesla coils. I was just wondering if this is true, and why.I am trying to make a very compact/ small tesla coil for my school and I have very limited space, so obviously a 30lbs neon transformer wont do.Does a neon power supply just give bad results? or does it completely not work?I also need this to be a common spark gap tesla coil, so i cant get into all that mosfet sstc stuff.and please note that i'm young so i dont know that much.thanks for any help!
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