Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!sri-unix!hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrb!cadovax!keithd From: keithd@cadovax.UUCP (Keith Doyle) Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: Tesla Coil - broadcast power Message-ID: <1279@cadovax.UUCP> Date: Tue, 23-Dec-86 14:16:38 EST Article-I.D.: cadovax.1279 Posted: Tue Dec 23 14:16:38 1986 Date-Received: Tue, 23-Dec-86 23:48:20 EST References: <4815@reed.UUCP> <823@A60.UUCP> <824@A60.UUCP> <904@sfsup.UUCP> <553@rpics.RPI.EDU> <162@ndmath.UUCP> Reply-To: keithd@cadovax.UUCP (Keith Doyle) Organization: Contel Business Systems, Torrance, CA Lines: 21 In article <162@ndmath.UUCP> milo@ndmath.UUCP (Greg Corson) writes: >Does anyone have any comments on how to "tune up" a tesla coil for maximum >output? I have one about 4-5 feet tall wound on a 4 inch core with several >large glass capacitors...it gives me about 6"-8" sparks. Is there anything >I can do (calculations...etc) that would improve efficiency? Changing the >size of the primary, the spark gap...etc? >Greg Corson I've found that more capacitance helped for me. I came across a military oil-filled HV cap (watch those PCB's) that made a world of difference in efficiency. Though I too, would like to hear any tune-up tips. I've been wondering about putting a rotating disk hooked up to a variable speed motor and inserting into the gap area, but haven't tried it yet to see if it works. I did find that using a fan to blast air over the gap helps though makes it a bit more noisy (and it's already too damn noisy). Keith Doyle # {ucbvax,ihnp4,decvax}!trwrb!cadovax!keithd # cadovax!keithd@ucla-locus.arpa