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Build my own step up transformer 1800s style to power tesla coil ?

32Vwasbetteronboats

Feb 18, 2017
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516btH19O2L._SX358_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg


I built a Tesla coil in 1991 before the internet using this book. I had no luck building a high voltage transformer. There was no internet but finally I got a hold of some oil burner ignition transformers then tons of trail and error till it worked.

I would blow fuses and breakers screwing around with stuff and my mother would bitch.


ZBDtransformer600.jpg


260e9a1c24375641a40d7c60164e38c0.jpg
 
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32Vwasbetteronboats

Feb 18, 2017
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I would like to build a transformer with a power output greater then what I would get from a typical neon sign transformer 30ma instead 300ma or 1kva would be cool .

Looks so easy, just put a bunch of turns on one side then more on the other but its not. My attempts just got real hot and transformed little.

I had the electricity bug bad as kid and still do but as you can tell by my posts I really just know the basics, where to start ?
 
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Tha fios agaibh

Aug 11, 2014
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Very cool stuff but messing with this stuff is extremely dangerous.
For god sake be careful.
 

32Vwasbetteronboats

Feb 18, 2017
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Very cool stuff but messing with this stuff is extremely dangerous.
For god sake be careful.

Thanks !

I know its no joke, the worst ever was getting a jolt making Jacobs ladder with a microwave transformer 1800V .

Then my buddy Andy the Jacobs ladder with the oil burner transformer, uses a steak knife thinking the wooden handle was insulation like a screwdriver but he did not think of the brass rivets.

Too old to take hits like that or have anyone hurt on my watch, amazing how we survive our teens.
 

Tha fios agaibh

Aug 11, 2014
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Exactly. It only take about 0.2 amps and one mistake to kill you.
I may build a Jacobs ladder myself one day but I'd want it behind a plexiglass guard.
Too many inquisitive kids around here.
 

32Vwasbetteronboats

Feb 18, 2017
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These are good with nice long non conductive string

Gardner-Bender-Pull-Chain-Switch.jpg


Its the "light fuse and get away" of high voltage.
 

duke37

Jan 9, 2011
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For transformer design, search "Ludens transformer".
 

Chemelec

Jul 12, 2016
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Neon Transformers are Typically 15KV.
I have some that are rated at 30mA and some at 60ma.
The 60ma is Quite good on my 3 Foot high Jacobs Ladder.

Winding a 15KV transformer at 300 Ma would be rather difficult.
That's 4,500 Watts.

1800 Volts, even at 300 mA, for a Jacobs is not all that good if you like a Long Spark
 

duke37

Jan 9, 2011
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15kV at 300MA is 4.5GW ? You need a fair sized power station. :)
 

Chemelec

Jul 12, 2016
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JACOBS-2a.JPG My Jacobs Ladder on a 15KV, 60mA Neon transformer.
Even at 60mA, these rods get fairly Hot after a few minutes.
Don't know why it shows Sideways?
 
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