Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator

Warning Dangerous Voltage

Up to 30,000 volts

  This is a fun and useful circuit for demonstrating high frequency high voltage. It can produce up to about 30KV, depending on the transformer used. It is cheap and easy to make, thanks to the standard TV flyback transformer used. It can power LASERS (although I have never tried), demonstrate St.Elmo's fire, and even cause a fluorescent bulb to light from as much as 2 feet away.

 

Part

Total Qty.

Description

Substitutions

R1

1

27 Ohm 5W Resistor

27 Ohm 10W Resistor

R2

1

240 Ohm 5W Resistor

240 Ohm 10W Resistor

BR1

1

50 Volt, 6 Amp Bridge Rectifier

C1

1

8000uf, 35 Volt Capacitor

Q1, Q2

2

2N3055 NPN Power Transistor

T1

 

1

 

 24V 5A Transformer (See "Notes")

T2

1

TV Flyback Transformer (See "Notes")

  S1

1

115V 3A SPST Switch

MISC

1

Case, Wire, Heatsinks, Line Cord

  Notes

 

1. T2 is a high voltage flyback transformer salvaged from an old TV, or ordered from Fair Radio

Sales (see Where To Get Parts). Look for the biggest, most intimidating transformer you can find.

Old tube TV's are a good place to look. The transformer should not have a rectifier built in.

 

2. You will need to rewind the transformer's primary. First, remove the old primary, being careful not

to damage the high voltage secondary. If the transformer is wound with all windings incased in plastic,

use another transformer. Second, wind on 5 turns of 18 AWG wire, twist a loop (center tap), and

then wind on 5 more turns. This becomes winding C-D. Now, wind on 2 turns of 22 AWG wire,

twist a loop, and wind on 2 more turns. This becomes winding A-B.

 

3. Q1 and Q2 will run HOT if not used with a large heatsink. After the circuit has been running for a

minute or two, you should still be able to put your finger on the transistors without being burnt. Also,

R1 and R2 will run hot.

 

4. If you experience arcing on the exposed transformer leads, select a lower voltage for T1. If you

are powering the circuit with a power supply (see Power Supply), just crank down the voltage.

 

5. For a real high voltage output, connect a voltage multiplier (from an old TV or computer monitor)

to the output of T2.

 

6. If the circuit does not work, reverse connections A and B.

 

  Circuit taken from http://aaroncake.net