RE: [TCML] Newbie

["Jim Mora" <wavetuner@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Andrew,

We all in the US can get Cornell Dubiliers caps for mmc's .15uf metalized
film which seem to be the most popular or their foil film one which have
slightly high capacitance.
Work a deal with someone and pay the shipping to New Zealand (what about
customs?). Tesla Down Under in Australia (Dr. Peter Terran) may be able to
help you. We have endless discussions about current control. One of the more
unique ideas was using 2 or 3 inch 50.8,76.2mm , plastic pipe coating the
inside with oil for a release agent and stuffing it full of Florist wire
which is already painted green generally (The pipe should be long enough to
have a couple of inches to spare).

The coating and small diameters dramatically reduce Eddie currents, losses,
and heat. Put some kind of puller in the wire, cap one end of the pipe-
stuff it with the wire, stand it on the capped end and fill it with epoxy.
Wrap the pipe with #6 awg or #4 AWG insulated wire and voila'. Some one else
may be able to give you an idea of the number of turns for 4KVA-5KVA control
( I am assuming 240V, are you 50 or 60Hz?).

You simply pull out the core to reach you desired current. There are many,
many other ways to do this. I like satuable reactors.

Regards,

Jim Mora
Happy Spring Time and Good Sparks!

-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of andrew
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:01 PM
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [TCML] Newbie

Hi 
This is my first entry to leasla list.
 
I am building my first Tesla coil, a project I have thought on and off about
doing since I was an 8 year old electronics enthusiast. In those days, we
only had valves to play with. I have one or two questions as I have stalled
briefly not certain which way to go.
 
So far I have built the secondary 4.3 inches x 29.9 inches and about 1000
turns, an aynchronous rotary spark gap, a 4 MOT transformer pruducing about
8.8kv, and I have got the copper tubing for the primary, and some aluminiun
ducting for a torroid topload.
 
1.   I have been reading about capacitors and it is rather confusing. I like
the idea of an mmc but can't find a good source in New Zealand. I understand
the poly caps with foil internal terminations work best (=fail less!). Any
idea of a good suplier (even more downunder..!)
 
2. Some people use a rotary gap and static gap in series. Why?
 
3. I need some easy way to regulate the power going into the transformers. I
am currently using some oil filled heaters but obviously they are bulky!
 
Many thanks
 

Andrew Buxton 


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