Transformer, Check!

I unexpectedly procured the keystone piece of the project today while driving back to work from lunch. Going down Lamar, Wes pointed out that there was a neon sign store. We turned around to check it out and discovered a very cool, local mini-manufacturer and repairer of neon, Hayward Neon.

Neon sign transformer for Tesla Coil project

We made acquaintance with the owner's assistant, Mitch, and let him know that we were seeking out a used transformer for a Telsa Coil project. Lucky for us, they happen to have an old-style unit (sans GFCI) that was about six years old but in great working condition rated 12kV @ 30mA. He had us come back into the workshop area to show us the unit while he tested it so we could see for ourselves. He offered to add on a plug, switch and wires while we chatted about how he came to work in a neon shop.

Final cost for this first piece was $64.95, much less than what I was finding online for the same power rating and he said we could bring it back and exchange it towards the cost of a 15kV unit if we decide to make a larger one in the future. Not the free, throw-away I was aiming for but this unit will definitely give us enough power to make a sweet, first coil!

This is where the wires attach

12k volts at 30 mA

Basic Pieces of a Tesla Coil

Apparently, there are numerous upon numerous ways, methods, plans and so forth for creating a Tesla Coil. These depend on the power source and materials used just for starters. They can be very personalized! I read a fascinating walk-through on creating a coil made just from items this guy could find dumpster diving.

Anyway, here's the breakdown and it gave me much insight into the basic components that make up a Tesla Coil. My first one is going to be on the very small-sized scale, so keep that in mind.

• Primary Power Supply
• Capacitor
• Spark Gap
• Primary Coil
• Secondary Coil
• Secondary Ground
• Toroid (transformer)

I'm now into the phase of researching just what size power supply I want to use and that will start to affect what I do/use for the other pieces. I posted an ad on CL looking for a used neon sign transformer in the 7-12 kV at 30-90 mA range.

I Want to Coil!

It's been a long time since I called myself a "newbie" about anything, but in the area of high voltage projects, I am practically infantile. I've been interested in electricity and have actually wanted to become a residential electrician for a long time. However, that's where my knowledge of current ends, with basic household projects like flipping a circuit breaker or installing a new light switch.

After watching the (horrible) movie, The Prestige, which highlights some of Nikola Tesla's achievements, I became interested in constructing my own Tesla Coil. I love to learn (and believe I can learn almost anything) but my particular learning style requires that I have practical application. Good a abstraction I am not. So this seemed like an easy way to get myself started down the road to improving my understanding of electrical current, circuits and, well, math.

I've been doing A LOT of research on Tesla Coils, examining others' designs and getting a grip on the basics of "coiling." My favorite bit of knowledge so far comes from the awesome resources available at DeepFriedNeon.com:

Tesla Coils are VERY VERY LOUD!!!