Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!maverick.ksu.ksu.edu!uafhp!engr.uark.edu!ras2
From: ras2@engr.uark.edu (Richard A. Smith)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Tesla Coils
Keywords: High Voltage, Tesla
Message-ID: <5870@uafhp.uark.edu>
Date: 24 Jan 91 08:09:16 GMT
Sender: netnews@uafhp.uark.edu
Lines: 45


	I am in the process of building a Tesla coil and I would like to hear
from all of you experimenters that have already done so.  Advice, problems,
experiences, resources, plans, etc.  I am using a neon sign transformer of
15KV to start with and going form there.  Right now I am building the Cap.
that I will need to fire the spark Gap.  

My schematic looks like this:

   ---------------)  (-----------|
  *  +        |   Spark Ga      |        *
  *       |                     |        *
  *           |         Primar  *        * Secondary
  * 15kv    =====               *        *
  *         =====               *        *
  *           |                 *        *
  *  -        |                 *        *
  *           |                 *        *
  ------------------------------

My Cap is sheet of plexiglass with Al foil on the outsides and cardboard to
cover the foil.  My peliminary ideal calculations show that I should get
about .048 uF from it. 

My plans are to measure the cap at the Lab and also the inductance of the 
primary (6 turns of #12 wire 6" in diameter) and the sign transformer.
calculate the resonant freq. and wind the secondary to match.

Does anybody know the capacitance of #24 magnet wire wraped around a piece
of sched 40 3 1/2" PVC per unit foot?  I have eqns for the Inductance but 
not capacity.  

Does anybody see anything wrong with this design?  Have a better Design?
PLEASE tell me about it.

Also the names of any books about the experiments of Nikola Tesla would 
be appeacated too.  

Thanks in advance
Richard
-
-- 
Richard A. Smith                      | Dont look at me, I'm still an 
ras2@engr.uark.edu                    |    undergrad!!
University of Arkansas @ Fayetteville | Disclamer: I'm a college student.