Re: Hi ,Im new to the group need to ask a couple of teslaquestions.

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Original poster: "Bert Hickman by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-net>

Hi Danny,

Sounds like you bought one of those electronic transformers off eBay...
:^)

The simple answer: 
You need to get a different, non-electronic, NST. The high frequency
output of your current HV transformer is not capable of charging any
reasonably sized tank cap. You need to find an NST that directly
provides high voltage output via a HV simple step-up transformer running
at 50/60 Hz. These are usually significantly larger and heavier than
their electronic counterparts.

The more sophisticated answer: 
Assuming your electronic transformer operates satisfactorily off 120 VAC
providing half the voltage, you'll need to rectify the HV output. You
can then use the resulting HV DC to power a DC coil. For this you'll
need to obtain, or make, a high voltage rectifier stack capable of
withstanding about 50 kV (if you decide to power the NST off 220 volts)
or about 25 kV if you'll run off 120 VAC. You'll also need to get a HV
DC capacitor rated for at least 15 - 30 kVDC (120 or 240 VAC operation).
This section of the power supply can be VERY dangerous due to the
significant energy stored on this capacitor. You would then need to use
either a HV power resistor or HV charging inductor (For simplicity, I'd
recommend the resistor). See Kevin Ottalini's site for a resistively
limited DC charging system:
http://www.mindspring-dot-com/~ottalini/DC%20Driven%20Tesla%20Coil.htm

If this is your very first coil, I really recommend the simpler solution
of getting a standard transformer powered NST, since it's a bit safer
and simpler to implement.

Best regards,

-- Bert --
-- 
Bert Hickman
Stoneridge Engineering
"Electromagically" (TM) Shrunken Coins!
http://www.teslamania-dot-com

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<PLUGHzz-at-aol-dot-com>
> 
> Hi I have been trying to use a 15kv 20khz 20 ma neon sign transformer for a
> small tesla coil but havent had much luck, first the 15 kv is rated at 240
> volts im using 120 so im getting approx 7.5 kv also my secondary is 570 turns
> of 28 guage coated steel wire on 2" abs and tried using several home made
caps
> ,party cup cap, and a big hawg cap (saltwater), my main coil was 6 turns
heavy
> steel wire..
> 
> How bad off am I ?
> thanks,
> Danny L. Ray II