Re: primary coil material / design

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Mddeming@xxxxxxx 

In a message dated 10/7/06 11:59:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
tesla@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
Original poster: John <guipenguin@xxxxxxxxx>

for a 4" diameter coil powered by 12kv 30mA transformer   will 1/4
inch copper tubing be ok? someone said something about 1/8 inch but
that seems to small.


Hi John,

    For this size coil and power level, just about anything from #10 
solid wire to 1/2" copper tubing will work.  In general, larger runs 
cooler then smaller but occupies more space, and hollow runs cooler 
than solid, but requires gentler handling during bending. Likewise 
insulated allows more compact winding but is harder to make 
adjustable taps to than bare.
   As you increase power later (and you WILL) these differences will 
take on more importance. Everything in a Tesla Coil is a compromise 
between conflicting attributes.

Hope this helps,

Matt D.