Tesla coil Build comparison. (Proof of ability)

[Farmhand]

Hi all, I propose that there be a comparison of the best "Tesla Coil" type resonant transformers, or "Tesla Transmitter" type resonant transformers, (same thing).

I suggest all those who have built or are building such transformers in the medium power range say from 400 Watts to 1000 Watts, should show pictures and schematics of their transformers and supply circuits, as well as explain any valid queries about them.

To my way of thinking this is one way of sorting the wheat from the chaff, and showing who can do what and who is all talk or have no will to show anything.

Any type of "Tesla" type transformer/Transmitter would qualify, eg, it could be a three coils design like mine or a regular Two coil arrangement like Tinsel has or a spiral type transformer also. All can do the same things.

We ought to have some basic requirements to qualify in the first place to take part in this comparison of a few of the different parameters, eg. the "Quality Factor" or "Q and input power, power factor ect. ect.

1) I say the input power " apparent" should be at least 400 Watts (real power could be less).
2) The elevated terminal voltage should at least reach the 250 000 volt area.
3) With a "break out point" or "leak point" the free arcs to air or to a grounded object should reach at least 200 to 300 mm and be frequent (seemingly continuous one after the other).
4) The transformer should also have an elevated terminal which is capable (without a leak point) of holding on it "without leaking off ", all or the vast majority of the charge placed on it, to show the transformer is more than a spark making machine. 
5) The input power factor should at not point be less than 0.5 ,
6) Some kind of natural media energy transfer of single "man made wire" transmission line type power transfer ability would also be good to see, possibly using another transformer, I don't see this as necessary, but would be good to see, however not the point to the exercise.

In my opinion on many of the forums including this one I see far too many people claiming to know this and that but are mistaken or just plain wrong, making assumptions or misinterpreting Tesla's writings or quotes.

Let us see who can build the one thing most of this talk centers around, and not just toys, some powerful Transformers/transmitters.

I know of two of us that have transformers capable of entering already built and operational. One being of course the talented Tinsel Koala, and the other being myself.

None the less I will still need some time to put together a better video showing the (build, measurements of the L-C-R) and operating measurements ect.

I can say two things.

1) Any who are not comfortable building and using such device in my opinion have no call to be commenting on the subject so much and should not build if not comfortable with the energies and dangers involved.

2) Those of us participating in this comparison should discuss a reasonable and agreed upon set of measurements ect. to take and perform on the devices presented.

I say we should measure and show the values of the Primary and Secondary L-C and R, the resonant frequency, input power and power factor, as well as the calculated "Q", among other things, before even showing working demonstrations.

Any Takers, or shall I not bother with taking the idea/challenge any further ? 

Regards.

P.S. To clarify further, I would propose that there be discussion on a set of valid points or "requirements" for a particular entry to be a "valid entry".

Then, a start point. for entries or "exhibits' could begin, the intention being that it is not a competition as such but a comparison as well as a database, there would be no end point only a starting point, as well there would be no winners or losers, there would only be "valid entries" or "Non Valid" entries. Only valid entries should be seen as being in the comparison, those with invalid entries should be prepared to remove the posts or entries when the majority deems it best.


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2nd, P.S.  . Basically I am saying the devices compared should be pursuant to or "fit the bill of" the "Transmitting" devices described in any of these following Patents in reverse order of patent date.

1).  Patent US1119732 -  http://www.google.com/patents/US1119732

2). Patent US787412 -  http://www.google.com/patents/US787412

3). Patent US649621 - http://www.google.com/patents?id=CLJIAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

Don't be fooled by the hype, all three transmitting devices can be used in the same ways, if designed to do it, they are resonant air cored transformers with elevated capacities.

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[TinselKoala]

Here's one I built quite some time ago, specifically as a power transmitting research station. It uses a small NST, 6 kV at a few mA, for the primary supply and a 3-element adjustable stationary gap. For transmission performance the gap is adjusted until it is just barely open, hardly any gap at all and very silent operation, so the input power stays very low, less than 75 watts from the mains, 40 being typical.

For more traditional "sparky" performance the gap is opened up quite a bit for a noisy spark, and the coil then makes a thick ropy blue power arc-spark between the top knob and the nearby grounded discharge electrode. I am sure that blowing the gap with compressed air would improve the performance in this mode, but the 3-element gap made from brass and stainless steel hardware works pretty well.

The capacitors are 400 pF, 30 kV strontium titanate doorknobs arranged in a series-parallel arrangement that can be easily configured for a few different total capacitances, and the primary tap can also be adjusted. This allows the coil to be tuned to different top capacities and spark-gap settings. The coil typically operates at about 1.8 MHz, iirc. (It's up there on a high shelf in its box, I haven't had it down to run it in years.)

The whole thing breaks down easily and packs into a 13 x 13 x 28 inch wooden box I built for transport.

I know this coil doesn't fit into some of the power parameters you listed, and I don't really intend it as an "entry" in your comparison, I'm just putting it up here for the record, and perhaps to inspire others to build more powerful coils.

[Farmhand]

Another very nice transformer Tinsel, Nice piece of work. I hope when i get well I can put more time into "Period" presentation of some devices.

I think that coil would fit most parameters.

Anyway I'm in no hurry like I never am. But I do intend to set up my big coil and some smaller receivers for a BBQ demo/entertainment, I don't drink so no drunk operation of deadly equipment problems there.  When I do I'll get some pics and video.

I intend to prepare a bit by allowing more power and going to maybe 1200 Watts input, I may possibly increase the terminal capacitance as well and tune the rest accordingly, most likely resulting in an increase of the primary capacitance and a decrease of frequency, hopefully both allowing for increased streamer length with a break out point and streamer suppression without one.

One thing I may have left out is the transformer should be at least able to operate for about 1 minute continuous at any power it is capable of. And show some form of other usefulness such as power transfer, power supply or in my case my transformer can be used as a "spark gap transmitter" to send Morse code with a Morse key installed..

Also the comparison should allow for entries that cannot show input power well, but can show a well measured output within the power range. 

Thanks for the reply Tinsel, I hope you can maybe show the Tinsel coil at a later date as a solid state entry ? If you can control the streamers that is. heheheh, gotta love them streamers though.

The hope is that maybe more people will put in the effort to actually build a powerful transformer and find out what is actually involved in getting one to work well.

Although the fundamental principals between a Joule Thief and a fully fledged Tesla Coil in the 500 Watt to 1200 Watt range are the same/similar, building the latter to be reliable and somewhat safe and non damaging to sensitive stuff in the area is not so easy.

The transformer below is restricted to about 650 Watts input as the supply circuit stands.

Cheers

P.S. Just for the record and to show looks are not a big issue to me. 
Here is a picture of my "Outlaw Coil" as I like to refer to it in spite of the Dollard crew. 
And a Fine smooth looking Arc from it as well.

Oh and I guess I may as well include the supply circuit here now as well in blue.

[Farmhand]

I guess one of the points to this thread is that I would like to see who has built something like this, who actually can build something like this, who is prepared to put in the effort to build one and run it at fairly high power.

Since this device or similar is the backbone or cornerstone of a great many Over Unity claims, and many claims by people on behalf of Nikola Tesla that this kind of device is a "free energy machine" or claims that these are something that "creates or amplifies Energy", I figured all those in future who make such claims should have a thread where they can point to the post number of the device they built that exhibits the behavior they claim or speak of.

I'll bet there are none of those posted here though. 

Cheers

P.S. I should also say that not fitting in with one or two of the valid entry points should not discourage anyone from posting what they think will come close when some of the finer parameters of the transformers are determined at a later date. The line is grey here and wide. 

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[TinselKoala]

That's a nice setup, looks very "retro". I like the way you've spread out the upper windings on your secondary, to reduce arcing-over the last few turns. I've done this on my big 2kW SGTC as well. One of these days I'll have to get that sucker all dusted off and running again.

Meanwhile for the record, here's the TinselKoil 2.0, the solid-state TC. I don't have a complete schematic handy but the block diagram and the annotated board layout should give enough info for a builder to work with. This coil can work with around 1.5 kW input from the mains, and it makes scary big power psarks. It can also be audio-modulated. Unfortunately I don't have this coil with me at the moment, it is in storage in Canada along with a lot of my tooling and test kit.