JENSSCHLAU (October 6, 2008 at 9:57 pm)

Nice one.

Xxero0 (October 3, 2008 at 8:19 pm)

if i make a 120v tesla coil (to save money) using 300mA and make it, ummmmm, lets go with 'pocket sized'. would still work, but just with an output of 120v? and is there any way to make a transformer?

budsiskos (October 2, 2008 at 12:48 am)

also, do you recommend using high frequency chokes?

ct92404 (October 2, 2008 at 12:00 am)

You really should use a real iron core transformer, not solid state. Solid state transformers are easily damaged by the high frequency kickback from a Tesla Coil. There isn't really an MA limit...you just need a minimum of 6kv at 20 milliamps. The only other problem is that if the current is too high, the spark gap will get too hot and it might not quench right and will start to fire rough. Above 60ma and you will definitely need some kind of air cooling to blow the gap.

ct92404 (October 1, 2008 at 11:57 pm)

You should try to avoid kinks and wind the secondary as neatly as you can. But it shouldn't be a big problem, especially if it's lower on the secondary winding, where the voltage gradient will be lower. If you have a lot of kinks or overlapping turns higher on the winding, closer to the top, then you might get some corona. But I don't think you need to worry about it.

cacci5 (October 1, 2008 at 10:09 pm)

Does it matter if the secondary coil has small kinks in it?

budsiskos (September 30, 2008 at 8:36 pm)

does it mater if the transformer is old style or solid state or wide range voltage.also, is there a Ma limit?

ct92404 (September 22, 2008 at 11:46 pm)

You have to be very careful about what read, because there are a lot of rumors and myths about Tesla. Orignally, what he was proposing was that power could be generated conventionally, and then transmitted at high frequency, without wires, the same way radio signals are transmitted. In later years, he said it might be possible to collect energy from the sun or cosmic rays...and of course we can do that now with photovoltaic cells (solar cells).

AlanSessler (September 22, 2008 at 10:13 pm)

I read a story where a guy put a coil under some city power lines to get free power and was caught. But since Tesla knew how to pull the power from ???, why would you need power lines? If this can be used as wireless power where do you pull the power from (free electricity train of thought...)?

ct92404 (September 22, 2008 at 7:31 pm)

You can use it to transmit power without wires, and in fact that was what Tesla was working on.