DIY Tesla Switch Guide

[geotron]

I've found nearly all of the parts I'd need to complete my
build at Mouser except the 30A diodes... for which they've
got ones with 30amp foward continuous current, as well as
others with 30amp 'max surge current'.

I would guess to obtain the ones with 30A foward current...

[geotron]

Perhaps I've spoken too soon... the 1000uF electrolytic capacitors
are giving me a small problem. I've found the right category list,
but how am I to know what voltage type to look for?  My first
thought was to go with 12V as it would match the batteries, but
they don't seem to have them - ?

Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors at Mouser.com

[gyulasun]

You need at least 25V rated capacitors, like this:

http://hu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Lelon/TEA102M1EBK-1322P/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtZ1n0r9vR22Z8b58wL7NwvIUghvPS7BEU%3d

[geotron]

Awesome - thanks for the link. At the moment it looks as
if my order is set... although it might be a couple of
weeks before I can dedicate enough funds to it.

The 30A diodes I ended up with are 'dual common cathode',
200 amp max surge current - MBRF30H150CTG at Mouser

[geotron]

Progress update on my commutator project - the disc magnet
is soldered directly to the 1st contact, and the 2nd contact
has been given a thin layer of solder for good measure.

I'll first try tuning it a bit with the bank of LEDs to get
things started, then scale things up from there.

Its kind of difficult to tell from my video of this working
with the string of blue LEDs how fast its vibrating due to
the frame rate, but with the magnet's blurring speed I can't
help but think that at least 100 contacts/sec shouldn't be
too hard to achieve.