[TCML] RE: Just starting out...

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

Hi Steve,

The opinion of most on this list is that products from Information Unlimited are extremely overpriced, and there are mixed opinions about the quality of their designs.

If the plans call for a .01uF/10kV mica cap, that is a needlessly expensive design.  Such a mica cap is very rare and expensive, and a much more economical equivalent should be made using polypropylene caps.

The best source for an 18 Amp Variac is at a ham fest or flea market.  If there are none in your area, eBay always has a large selection.

I just noticed that the product you're talking about is plans for a vacuum tube Tesla coil.  I have no personal experience with a VTTC, but it's not something I would recommend for a beginner.  Beyond the caps you mentioned, there are several other components that will be challenging to find, and there are just many more things that are likely to go wrong.  Spark gap coils are much more tolerant of part substitutions, and there are many more for you to look at on the web for you to copy.  You may wish to look at the table top mini coil on my web site for something easy to build - http://www.laushaus.com/tesla/minicoil.htm

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA



> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Stephen J. Hobley
> Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 3:03 PM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: [TCML] Just starting out...
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm Steve, just joined the list. My buddy and I are trying to follow the
> VacTesla plans from Information Unlimited to build a TC each.
>
> We've found out the components on the list are kind of expensive, and
> was wondering if there were alternatives out there.
>
> We need
>
> 0.004 mfd 1000 volt polypropylene capacitor
> 0.01 mfd 10 kv mica capacitor
> VARIAC 18 amp variac
>
> Does anyone have any resources on either finding these, or building an
> equivalent?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve Hobley

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