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

[32Vwasbetteronboats]

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.

 

[32Vwasbetteronboats]

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 ?

 

[Tha fios agaibh]

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

 

[32Vwasbetteronboats]

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]

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]

These are good with nice long non conductive string

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

 

[duke37]

For transformer design, search "Ludens transformer".

 

[Chemelec]

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]

15kV at 300MA is 4.5GW ? You need a fair sized power station.

 

[Chemelec]

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?