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Re: bug zapper
Original poster: coolbluesky <coolbluesky@xxxxxxx>
Hi Mike,
It is possible to make a small Tesla coil from a salvaged bug zapper
or two. Performance will not be too great - it's on par with a big
flyback transformer. Take a look at a coil I built from zapper parts here:
http://users.isp.com/coolbluesky/tesla/photos/bugzapcoil.jpg
The transformers are usually around 2 kVAC @ ~ 8 - 12 mA. Make sure
your transformer does not have the capacitor built-in. You can tell
this from the look and sound of the discharge arc and if you find an
external cap inside the zapper. I was also able to use the zappers
external cap as well as the transformer in my coil - however the cap
gets warm after a while, so I don't push it. Performance would be
increased if I built an MMC style cap of the correct value, but the
cap I used was free.
Happy scrounging,
Karl
On Aug 27, 2006, at 4:01 PM, Tesla list wrote:
Original poster: Mike <megavolts61@xxxxxxxxx>
Hi all,
I picked up a working bug zapper at a garage sale
yesterday...Cost me a whole dollar. :) Does anyone know the
output voltage of these things? It appears as though it might
make a good transformer for a mini coil. Better question might be,
has anyone tried one and found it to be suitable for a coil? If
not, I have plenty of hv diodes and caps and might consider making
a CW multiplier and playing around with a lifter or something else fun.
Thanks,
Mike