12V DC Tesla Coil (SGTC), 555 + MOSFET + Ignition Coil

Tags:
555 Coil Gap High Ignition Mosfet Sgtc Spark Tesla Voltage
c0ldcity
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    c0ldcity
  • International International
  • Comments: 1
  • Views: 1,575
  • Added: 29-Mar-08

This TC is powered by a Triumph motorbike ignition coil driven by a 555 and a 2SK899 MOSFET at 12V.

To protect the LV side I have a .22uF 440V cap across the LV side of the coil, in parallel with a disposable camera neon indicator and 4K7 across the LV side of the coil to monitor back EMF.

The HV is half-wave rectified by a diode string (15 x 1N4001 and 4 x 3108) and charges a single 2L saltwater cap.

It runs cool, with no MOSFET heating.

Power input: 500mA @ 12VDC (6W)
Primary: 8.5 turns 1mm copper, 2mm spacing on 64mm PP former
Secondary: ~850 turns 0.2mm enamelled copper on 40mm PVC former
Topload: ~60mm alu foil-covered Xmas tree ball
Streamer length: ~1.5-2" to air
Arc length: ~3" to grounded rod
Spark Gap: Static, 4mm
Tank cap: ~1nF saltwater cap (2L lemonade bottle)
BPS: ~ 120?

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Comments on

12V DC Tesla Coil (SGTC), 555 + MOSFET + Ignition Coil

10 Comments | Add Comment
  • i have a idea for you

    to save you some space use a power inverter with modified sine waves it works great

    By dionysus2008 1217734208 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • i dont knnow why ...

    i dont knnow why you have A Rectifier diode there the 555 timer driver in not ac its a pulsed dc driver

    By jovicakluk [Affiliate User] 1213662625 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Really nicely done, ...

    Really nicely done, check my DC TC out!

    By teddybear114 [Affiliate User] 1210716364 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • check my 4 cm tc out

    check my 4 cm tc out

    By jovicakluk [Affiliate User] 1208805494 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • No RF choke at the ...

    No RF choke at the moment; the spark gap does sound a bit odd because it was covered with a cardboard shield during the video run. Doesn't seem to stop it quenching but I'm going to get rid of that and use a blower for better quenching. MMC next with double the capacity (and primary retuning to match).

    I've watched a lot of your great vids mate, really nice work! I feel for you with your neighbour issues too.

    By c0ldcity [Affiliate User] 1206883017 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Thanks!

    Thanks!

    By c0ldcity [Affiliate User] 1206864820 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • That's pretty cool.

    That's pretty cool.

    By M14forever [Affiliate User] 1206862992 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • the spark gap ...

    the spark gap sounds wrong...do you have an rf choke in there? your using dc..you could go for a doubler circuit to give a higher voltage it may help i will help if you like check my channel if you have time or join the youtubr tesla coil group or both !!!

    By teslaspigeon [Affiliate User] 1206861771 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Hmm, the cam seems ...

    Hmm, the cam seems to break - it only shows a couple of secs of streamers and a couple of secs of blankness, although the TC was firing the whole time. See eg 02:00 when you can see the spark gap.. Also, much more impressive in real life :D

    By c0ldcity [Affiliate User] 1206798158 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • When I said 8 watts ...

    When I said 8 watts I meant of course 9.6W!

    By c0ldcity [Affiliate User] 1206797824 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
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