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From: steveq@syd.dms.CSIRO.AU (Stephen Quigg)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Ideas please, how to generate arc discharge..
Message-ID: <1990Dec20.230406.26554@syd.dms.CSIRO.AU>
Date: 20 Dec 90 23:04:06 GMT
References: <90351.010238SX43@LIVERPOOL.AC.UK> <90353.091019SX43@LIVERPOOL.AC.UK>
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>Tim Coslet mailed me to say that I probably need  a "Tesla Coil".. any
>ideas what that is/ where to get one/ how to use it/ how much ...
 Tesla coils are pretty old stuff, basically a high voltage RF transformer.
I've got a book on how to make them, but it was printed in 1916! You probably
couldn't buy one today, and if you built one, you'd probably wipe out all
communications in the district unless you were in a screened room. They
are VERY noisy (electrically speaking). You can get commercial units that
simulate static discharge; the ones I've seen illustrated (never actually
seen one) are hand held guns. I don't know how they work however. You
might try one of those gas stove lighters and see if you could adapt it
to what you want (I'm not sure what voltage you are after). Some of these
units are electronic and some are piezoelectric (mechanical).