Hardware: March 2008 Archives

New TC picture added. I increased the size of the top load, tuned the coil better, and managed to increase the spark length from 15cm to about 20cm.

On top of the toroid I put a sharp screw to act as a breakout point so I could more easily judge the length of the discharge. I then adjusted the tap point in until I got the longest sparks.

I also adjusted the spark gap spacing. Finding the optimum distance between the electrodes can be tricky. If too narrow, the capacitors don't have time to charge enough or the gap won't quench; too wide, and the transformer might burn out. I previously had a problem where the coil would run for about 30 seconds, then the gap would simply stop firing and the transformer emit a buzzing sound. Luckily no lasting damage was done. I narrowed the spark gap a little, and the problem seems to have gone away now.

Just added a new page about my Tesla coil.
I first started building the coil over ten years ago, but never got around to finishing it. My new coil is not exactly same as the one I first started building, but I did use the components from the original one.

The coil is around 35cm high, uses a 4kV neon sign transformer as its power supply, and currently produces sparks about 15 to 20cm long.