[TCML] Newbe's First Coil

[cbroring@xxxxxxx]

Hello to the members of this list.   For no particular reason I built a 
Tesla Coil this winter.  Just got it running, more or less.  So 
(hopefully) here are a couple of photo's of what I put together.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/5567/1000420.jpg
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/5931/1000424e.jpg
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/5043/1000425.jpg
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/5164/1000427.jpg

The transformer is a 10kv 23mA oil burner trans.  Primary is about 12 
turns # 14 sold house wire 10" diameter with a couple extra taps 
available.  Secondary is 1300 turns #27 on 3.5 inch pvc.  Spark gap is 
2 nails spaced about 5/16"  Capacitor is   two 6000pF 30kv hokey puck 
ceramics, and one shows a slight temperature rise with use.  Top load 
is a cookie tin and bent pizza pan.  The ground is the house wiring 
tied in to an extensive ham radio/ lightening ground system.

It really doesn't work that great.  I removed a coupe turns and moved 
the tap around to get the best coupling I could.  I get a ring of 2 
inch sparks of the pizza plate.  I put a screwdriver on top and get 3-4 
inch sparks off that.  I haven't tried bringing a grounded probe to the 
top load yet.  Anyway, I read that the ceramic capacitors are not 
really durable and one of mine shows some heating after a minuet or so 
of on time to. I think I need to work on that next.  I expected a 
little more out of it even with the 250 watt power transformer.

I need to figure out how to ground the thing.  I need a better 
capacitor. I have lots of big transformers and DC power supplies to 
play with once I get the coil working a bit better.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Charlie
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