From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhtsa!alice!rabbit!jj
Newsgroups: net.physics
Title: Re: Tesla Coil
Article-I.D.: rabbit.1390
Posted: Fri Apr 29 11:59:01 1983
Received: Sat Apr 30 03:55:48 1983
References: <1282@allegra.UUCP>


	Two other things to note about building tesla coils:

	If you can make the spark gap adjustable, then do so.
	Needless to say, don't try to adjust it while it's running.
	Do try to set it so that that it's about 90% or so of
	the striking distance, that will eliminate the problem of
	quenching the arc.

	Run the coil only in a very well insulated room.  The
	Ozone generation properties of a TC are phenominal,
	and the stuff isn't too good for you.


Ohe yes...
	If you have an appropriately sized variac, try it on the
primary of the neon sign transformer.  You will find that for various tunings,
the best drive will be attained at different drive levels.  Adding more
tang bottles (I use qt. coke bottles myself, don't forget the salt!)
will make the drive level higher, so start with several, not one.
Do be careful that you don't get breakdown along the edge of the
tang (or coke) bottles, keep the outer foil (a wire into the salt water
will do fine) at least 3 in or so away from the top.


BZZZZZZZZZZZZZ