The Coil is done and tuned!
Finally after weeks of work its finished. After it working the first time i decided to really tune it. I re did the math and found out that i was doing the calculations on 60hz but in england wall power s 50hz. After redoing all the math i overhauled the coil and remade most of it including:
- New bigger primary
- Extended Secondary
- Made the base more secure
- Added two more capacitors
- Re made the spark gap three times
- Made a bigger topload
The coil is epic now and iv even added a breakout point to get even bigger sparks. Look at this new video to see it in action - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2C-AZAz51E
Progress!
We have progress! The new step down transformer we ordered has came and with a little bit of wiring its working! Once again we made a jacobs ladder using it and managed to test the cap bank. Unfortunately the bank failed so I need to do another test to find out why but thats for later. For now, we are set and one step closer to running the coil proper!
Running Your Tesla Coil
Ok so I have not ran my coil proper yet but i have tested the transformer and we do have first light! The step down transformer had a too low wattage and blew so it has halted construction. MAKE SURE YOUR STEP DOWN CAN TAKE THE WATTAGE OF THE NEON SIGN TRANSFORMER. i'll try and put the video of it on youtube.
Next: Running the Tesla Coil 2
Testing Components
You're so close to running it for the first time but first you need to check all of the components!
First check the transformer by plugging it it and trying to create a spark between both terminals using a piece of wire. This will not damage it don't worry.
Then test the safety gap and make sure that the spark does NOT jump from one terminal to the middle one. If nothing happens then it is working.
Test the cap bank by plugging up one end of it to the transformer and the other try and ark to the other terminal of the transformer.
Finally check the spark gap, make sure the spark jumps between the two terminals.
After you have done all of these and everything works you're ready to run it proper.!
Next: Running the Tesla Coil
Connections
Now to connect everything up. It really easy. All you need is some simple crocodile clip wires and follow the diagram.
All the stuff on the left is the transformer. Everything else is clearly labeled and just wire up everything just like seen here. If your tesla coil uses a safety gap then put it in parallel to the two outputs of the transformer like the caps are. But make sure its the first thing the transformer gets too. Assemble, glue, tape and connect everything together and you should have something looking like this.
All your circuitry should be at the bottom hooked up to the main tower assembly at the top. Now its time to test the components!
Next: Testing components
Step down transformer
If you live in england but your transformer is american (vice versa) then there is a voltage difference and you will need a step up/down transformer to fix the problem. All you need to do is to buy one that the input fits your country and the output fits the transformer. This step is easy but necessary if there is a voltage difference.
Next: Connections
