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Re: Just a FEW questions from a newbie



In a message dated 97-01-09 01:21:04 EST, you write:

<< 
 Hi,
 
 I am new to this list, and to this hobby.  I am pretty good with
 electronics and frequency's.  
 I have a few questions that I cant seem to find answers to.... so I will
 throw them in the
 direction of the experts... that is if you guys dont mind....
 
 One question that I cant figure out is how do you create the frequency
 to emit the magnetic
 fields?  Using a ignition coil switched with a 555 timer circuit would
 do it.  I understand that.
 But with just a spark gap?  How do you adjust the frequency to meet the
 1/4wave on the
 secondary?
 
 For my first coil, I am looking for a design that gives off 1 foot
 sparks.  If I get more, that 
 is fine too :) What secondary size am I looking at?  2feet long by
 3inches dia?
 
 I have access to the following transformers:
 24VDC in - 6KVDC out
 24VDC in - 10.6KVDC out
 
 Unfortunatally, I dont remember the current rating.. I do know they are
 in milliamps.
 
 What they are and where they came from is a mystery.  Another solution
 that I can
 think of using would be a ignition coil off a car which would be:
 
 12VDC in - ?????VDC out  (I would have to use a 555 timer circuit to use
 this one,
 right?)
  
 Which one would be the better one to use?
 
 
 Capacitors.  Will doornob caps work a-ok?  Perhaps a few in series and
 parrallel?  
 Where can I go about getting some?  (no worthwhile hamfests in winter in
 chicago)
 
 Spark Gaps.  I found some docs for a rotary one, and a stationary one. 
 The stationary
 one looks easier for me to build is it ideal (airblast.txt)?  Will an
 aquarium pump work for 
 the air?  How about an airbrush compressor?  
 
 Tank Curcuit.  I have seen many different configurations for this. 
 Which one will
 work best for my setup? 
 
 Static Gaps.  I have been reading, and it appears that some of you have
 more than
 1 gap in your circuit.  Why?  Will I need more than 1?  Are these
 fixed?  
 
 Primary winding.  Why is this tapped?  Is this how you tune it?  What
 medium do
 you suggest I use for this?  Common sense tells me to make this coil
 larger
 than what some docs say.  5 turns of wire taped at 3 seems WAY to small
 to me.
 50 turns tapped at say 35 sounds more efficient to me... but that is me
 :)
 
 I have access to the following magnetic wire from Allied Electronics:
 
 Belden Heavy Armored Poly Thermaleze high temp wire 22awg Belden8077 
 501ft $29.38
 Belden Single Beldsol Solderable magnet wire  22awg Belden8051 254ft
 $17.34
 
 Dearborn Single Polyurethane Class A Type T-1 105 degree C  22awg
 .0266"od $20.81/pnd
 Dearborn Heavy Poly-thermaleze Class F type T-2  155 degree C  22awg 
 .0277"od  21.83/pnd
 Dearborn Corona Resistant High Voltage Wire UL Style 3239 150 degree C 
 10kvdc-40kvdc $???
 
 Which one do you suggest I use?  22AWG the size to go with?
 
 How nessacary is the Choke circuits?  Is the feedback going to be that
 bad?  I dont
 see why it would if you get your SWR down enough.  
 
 Sorry for all the questions.... but I dont know where else to go!
 
 Thanks VERY much....
 
 Pete >>

Pete,

A good coil for the size you are looking for would be similar to the one I
just built for a December project.  You can find most of the details in a
spreadsheet named Teslaexl.zip on the ftp site.  It is 3.0" dia with a
winding length of 28" using #22 magnet wire.  The primary is 14 turns of # 10
solid copper wire, 1/4" copper tubing would be better.  You tap it to tune
the primary frequency to the self resonant frequency of the secondary.  I
used a 12 kv, 30 ma neon sign transformer that I bought used for $10.  The
capacitor is a home made rolled style.  The spark gap is the cylidrical style
built in a piece of 6" dia pvc.  The instructions for the gap and capacitors
are to be found also at the ftp site:
http://ftp.funet.fi/ftp/pub/sci/electrical/tesla.

I can provide the exact specs for you on the capacitor plate size to fit this
coil.

Ed Sonderman