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Anonymous Poster

Tesla Coil Construction

02/19/2010 7:19 AM

Tesla Coil UK.

I am thinking of building a Tesla coil, the plans that i have obtained were made in the U.S. and refer to magnetic wire for the inner coils.

This wire is wound around a plastic pipe. so dose this mean that the wire itself is steel, I.E. as in fence wire, that becomes a magnet when the outer coil is energised as to stop it from burning out.

Or doe it mean that the inner coil is made of copper and becomes the magnet when the outer coil is energised.

the plans also suggest that the outer coil is made from 100 strand speaker wire, as this is supposed to act as one solid wire when in operation.( 4.5 turns around a 4 inch plastic pipe). as i have seen other Tesla coils made with solid 1/4 inch copper pipe would this be more appropriate this application.

Thank You.
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Anonymous Hero
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#1

Re: Tesla coil construction

02/19/2010 8:03 AM

Sounds like an air-core inductor. Both windings should be enamel coated copper wire.

One of the issues with high voltage is going to be breakdown of the insulation of the wire. If memory serves, a friend who built a fairly large beast that threw arcs 2 meters long had to go through a number of hoops to insure everything worked without arcing.

There are probably better forums and web sites dedicated to this on the net that could guide you. A quick search turned up these two and I am sure there are many others:

Link1

Link2
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Anonymous Poster
#3
In reply to #1

Re: Tesla coil construction

02/19/2010 10:09 AM

Thankyou for this link. It looks as if it is a web site i will be using from now on.

thank you again
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Doorman
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#5
In reply to #1

Re: Tesla coil construction

02/19/2010 2:44 PM

Gee, guys. A guest who is gracious, thankful, and appreciative of some creative and supportive comments from members.

A pleasant breeze has drifted thru the room.

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TVP45
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#2

Re: Tesla coil construction

02/19/2010 8:12 AM

It's "magnet wire" not "magnetic wire". As noted earlier, just ordinary copper with a really good enamel. Here's one from Rea that has good durability, temperature resistance and high breakdown. There are other choices, some of which are better, but you have to care about availability.

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Anonymous Poster
#4
In reply to #2

Re: Tesla coil construction

02/19/2010 10:13 AM

thank you for the matirials link. This wire is the sort of thing i am looking for

thank you again.
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ktel60
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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#6
In reply to #2

Re: Tesla coil construction

02/19/2010 11:37 PM

What he said. Winding steel wire around a steel post will confuse the electrons.

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TVP45
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Join Date: Jul 2007
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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Tesla coil construction

02/20/2010 8:35 AM

Attention all cars! Be on the lookout for a Coulomb thief. He steels electrons.

Sorry, it's day 15 of desparation here in snow ravaged Pittsburgh (we only got 50 inches, but we've run out of chairs to reserve parking spaces.) and my puns are almost exhausted.

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StandardsGuy
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#8

Re: Tesla Coil Construction

02/20/2010 1:32 PM

Hi,

The inner (secondary coil) should be copper wire. A magnetic field is induced in it by the outer (primary coil). Stranded wire is theoretically better than solid for the primary, but solid will work. Many coilers use 1/4 inch copper tubing or 1/2 inch copper strap in a spiral winding. Be prepared to invest a lot of time or money (or both). You should read both of the links I will give you before proceding. Tesla coil design is covered here along with the best schematic I have seen. The best engineering info including rotary spark gaps I have seen is here. Many more sites are available. Good luck.

-S

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Tim Hawley Master Mech
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Join Date: Jan 2010
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#9

Re: Tesla Coil Construction

02/21/2010 11:57 AM

From Tim Hawley Master Mech.

Hello Guest,

Click on the two(2) links below they will give you all the information you will need to proceed with your project.

Good Luck...

Best Regards,

Tim

http://www.teslacoildesign.com/

http://www.teslacoildesign.com/#materials

P.S.> Make sure your home and personal insurance are paid in full, before you put voltage to the heart of this Frankenstein.
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Anonymous Hero (1); Anonymous Poster (2); Doorman (1); ktel60 (1); StandardsGuy (1); Tim Hawley Master Mech (1); TVP45 (2)

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