Tesla coil not working
Tesla coil not working
(OP)
Hi All,
Long time reader, first time poster. I'm currently building a tesla coil. here are the details:
1.) I'm using three parallel NSTs that each output about 6500 volts at .9 amps.
2.) I'm using 4 high voltage capacitors that I built using two sheets of aluminum siding with polypropylene as a dielectric between them. They are held together with a PVC ring, and submerged in mineral oil inside a 4" pvc tube. There are 4 of these.
3.) my spark gap is made from tungsten carbide held by mig welding tips (copper) threaded onto 6 gauge copper wire.
4.) my primary coild and secondary coil are in good shape, and for a topload I have a sphere and a tauroid.
I haven't been able to get it to work. When I connect the NSTs to the spark gap, it fires fine. but with I hook up the capacitor bank and the primary coil to the spark gap, the gap doesn't fire and there is no discharge. who can help me troubleshoot this? I would be most appreciative!
Long time reader, first time poster. I'm currently building a tesla coil. here are the details:
1.) I'm using three parallel NSTs that each output about 6500 volts at .9 amps.
2.) I'm using 4 high voltage capacitors that I built using two sheets of aluminum siding with polypropylene as a dielectric between them. They are held together with a PVC ring, and submerged in mineral oil inside a 4" pvc tube. There are 4 of these.
3.) my spark gap is made from tungsten carbide held by mig welding tips (copper) threaded onto 6 gauge copper wire.
4.) my primary coild and secondary coil are in good shape, and for a topload I have a sphere and a tauroid.
I haven't been able to get it to work. When I connect the NSTs to the spark gap, it fires fine. but with I hook up the capacitor bank and the primary coil to the spark gap, the gap doesn't fire and there is no discharge. who can help me troubleshoot this? I would be most appreciative!





RE: Tesla coil not working
What's you primary like?
What happens with just the caps and the gap?
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Tesla coil not working
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Tesla coil not working
The primary is raised such that each turn of the coil is about a half inch above the last turn.
I haven't tried hooking up just the caps to the spark gap. Should the spark gap fire if I do that?
In response to macguyver, as of this week I'm officially in the tesla coil sector. The pay isn't great but it's fun so far :)
RE: Tesla coil not working
RE: Tesla coil not working
I'll try that later today and let you know how it goes. I'll also upload some photos.
RE: Tesla coil not working
I always suspect the homemade caps. Lots to go wrong with them.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Tesla coil not working
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Tesla coil not working
My Tesla coil terrorized the Science Fair judges as the primary arc was deafening and very intimidating. Alas I only got second place because the judges refused to believe I hand wound the thousands of turns on the 5 foot tall secondary.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Tesla coil not working
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Tesla coil not working
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Tesla coil not working